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Specialized Support and Disability Services
University of Alberta

American Sign Language

ASL and Admission into the U of A

The University of Alberta, as approved by the General Faculties Council, June 21, 1999, has added American Sign Language (ASL) 35 as a Group A (Humanities) matriculation subject for admission.

Students, deaf, hard of hearing or hearing, who have the equivalent of 30-level (grade 12) course credit in ASL, can now use that credit towards admission to the University of Alberta.

It is our understanding that the University of Alberta is the first Canadian University to formally recognize ASL for admission by incorporating it into the Classification of Matriculation Subjects (Section 14 of the University of Alberta Calendar).

ASL Courses – Credit

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies now offers ASL at the 100 and 200 levels.

Descriptions of the courses (provided by the 2006/07 university calendar):

  • ASL 111 Beginners’ American Sign Language I
    (fi 6) (either term, 5-0-0). Designed to provide basic practical communication and conversational skill in American Sign Language for students with little or no previous background. Covers material in matriculation-level ASL. Note: Not to be taken by students with native or near native proficiency, or students with credit in ASL 35 or its equivalents in Canada or other countries. Not to be taken by students with credit in EDPY 474 or 565.
  • ASL 112 Beginners’ American Sign Language II
    (fi 6) (either term, 5-0-0). Prerequisite: ASL 111 or consent of Department.
    Note: Not to be taken by students with native or near native proficiency, or students with credit in ASL 35 or its equivalents in Canada or other countries.
  • ASL 211 Intermediate American Sign Language I
    (fi 6) (either term, 5-0-0). Intensive instruction in ASL.  Topics covered on deaf community and culture. Prerequisite: ASL 35 or ASL 112 or consent of Department.
  • ASL 212 Intermediate American Sign Language II
    (fi 6) (either term, 5-0-0). Prerequisite: ASL 211 or consent of Department.

For further information and to register for the courses, log on to Beartracks

In addition to the above courses, a three credit course, EDPY 474, Basic Manual Communication, is offered through the Department of Educational Psychology in either term.

A three credit course, EDPY 565, Manual Communication in the Instruction of the Hearing Impaired, is offered to graduate students registered with the Department of Educational Psychology, Deaf Studies Education Program.

Additional information:

  • Metro College in Edmonton offers ASL levels 1 through 4 with deaf instructors.
     
  • Lakeland College also offers courses in the greater Edmonton region. Phone: (780) 416-8864