Meeting the Foreign Language Requirement

The two options for students who wish to fulfill the language requirement using ASL are:

• A) Take pre-approved ASL courses through the intermediate level and have those courses transferred in to Dickinson.
• B) Take ASL courses that cannot be transferred to Dickinson (online courses, or non-credit courses), and reach an intermediate proficiency level as judged by taking the ASLPI (American Sign Language Proficiency Interview) with a certified ASL instructor (more details below).

(Note that ASL cannot be used to substitute for language requirements in the INBM and INST majors.)

Here are the steps Disability Services would recommend taking:

1. Go to the websites of nearby colleges and universities and search for ASL courses.

You could start by doing a Google Search, but, but ultimately, it's probably worth just contacting potential schools directly and looking to see if they offer ASL, as this may change from year to year. Another possible resource for finding schools that teach ASL is this: http://education-portal.com/american_sign_language_schools.html. Just know that what they list is not comprehensive. After the list of schools, to the right of the video, there's also a link to a "List of Free Online American Sign Language Programs" that looks very helpful. Online course cannot be transferred in to Dickinson for credit, but they can still serve as a prerequisite to getting to the next level. Online courses can also be used to prepare yourself for testing, if you choose to go that route (see "Option B" below).

To assist you in your search, here is a list of colleges offering approved ASL courses that Dickinson students have already taken, some helpful links, and a list of schools that may offer ASL. If you learn of others, please email what you've found to Marni Jones at jonesmar@dickinson.edu so they can be added to the list!

2. Call the ASL Program Coordinator of any nearby schools that offer ASL and determine which classes would be necessary to take to attain the "Intermediate Level."

The number of ASL courses required to take to reach the intermediate level may vary from school to school, so this inquiry is very important. How Dickinson determines which courses meet the standard of "intermediate level" is by evaluating whether the course meets the standard for Level 4 of the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (or ASLPI).

Students should determine if they would rather pursue Option A: taking pre-approved ASL coursework and transferring in credits for those courses, or Option B: taking ASL coursework that cannot be transferred in, but which would prepare students for meeting the language requirement through testing. Both options are explained below.

Note that Dickinson does not require students to take an ASL proficiency tests to prove their achievement level to Dickinson unless they are demonstrating proficiency through testing, rather than through transferring in coursework (see "Option B").

Note that Dickinson does not require students to take an ASL proficiency tests to prove their achievement level to Dickinson unless they are demonstrating proficiency through testing, rather than through transferring in coursework (see "Option B").

OPTION A: TAKE ASL COURSEWORK THAT YOU WILL TRANSFER TO DICKINSON

Once you've identified an ASL program that you'd like to enroll in, you will need to complete the "Enrollment in Another Institution Form" and submit it to the Registrar's Office for approval. (Additional instructions are found on page 2 of this form.)

Be sure to attach a course syllabus to this form. Remember that the course must be taught at an accredited institution in the classroom if you wish to transfer credit for the course. Students must earn a grade of "C" or better for the coursework to transfer. Course pre-approval is key to ensuring credit for courses you take will transfer to Dickinson.

If you're emailing this, it should go to Karen Weikel, the Dickinson Registrar, at weikelk@dickinson.edu. Otherwise, you can bring it to the Registrar in Biddle House. Karen Weikel is also the person to contact if you have any questions regarding the transfer of coursework. Once you have completed the course, request that the Registrar of that college send an official transcript of your coursework to Karen Weikel so that it is included in your academic record.

OPTION B: STUDY ASL TO REACH THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL AND PROVE SO WITH TESTING

If you decide to fulfill your language requirement via testing, you should contact Associate Provost Brenda Bretz at bretz@dickinson.edu to obtain information regarding the procedure to be tested. The student must identify and recommend a qualified examiner to Associate Provost Bretz who will provide the approved tester guidance to confirm intermediate level language completion. Any costs associated with such testing are the responsibility of the student. If you are unable to identify a qualified ASL examiner, you should inform Associate Provost Bretz, as she may have a recommendation for you.

If you decide to fulfill your language requirement via testing, you should contact Associate Provost Brenda Bretz at to obtain information regarding the procedure to be tested. The student must identify and recommend a qualified examiner to Associate Provost Bretz who will provide the approved tester guidance to confirm intermediate level language completion. Any costs associated with such testing are the responsibility of the student. If you are unable to identify a qualified ASL examiner, you should inform Associate Provost Bretz, as she may have a recommendation for you.

Once the testing is completed, the tester will inform Associate Provost Bretz of the outcome. If confirmation of intermediate level is received, she will notify you, your advisor and the Registrar, who will update your official record. In this case, though you will have no academic credit posted to your record, your language requirement will be fulfilled.

We will try to update this website with additional information about programs offering ASL when we get it. Please email Marni Jones at jonesmar@dickinson.edu if you have identified an ASL program that you'd like to pursue or where you've already taken coursework and we will add it to our list to help other students who are looking for ASL course options.

Best of luck!