This is the first version of the 2023-24 General Catalog. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

The undergraduate minor in American Sign Language (ASL) requires 16 s.h. of ASL coursework, including 12 s.h. in advanced courses numbered 2500 or above taken at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor and in all UI courses for the minor. Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.

The minor must include ASL:2002 American Sign Language IV or demonstrated equivalent proficiency. Only one American Sign Language in English course (prefix ASLE) may be applied to the minor in ASL; if students choose to apply an ASLE course toward the minor, it must be taken for 4 s.h. All ASLE courses are taught in English.

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on track to graduate in the typical four-year time frame to meet requirements for the ASL minor:

  • before the third semester begins, students should have completed ASL:1001 American Sign Language I (this course should be taken as early as possible); and
  • before the sixth semester begins, students should have completed ASL:2002 American Sign Language IV.

The minor in American Sign Language requires the following coursework.

This course:
ASL:2002American Sign Language IV4
At least 12 s.h. from these:
ASL:3001American Sign Language V4
ASL:3100American Sign Language Conversation3
ASL:3200Topics in Deaf Studies3
ASL:3300American Deaf Culture3
ASL:3400Issues in ASL and Deaf Studies3
ASL:3500Deafness in the Media3
ASL:3600American Sign Language Literature3
ASL:3700Deaf Gain: Reframing Deaf People, Cultures, and Languages3
ASL:4201/HIST:4201History of the American Deaf Community3-4
ASLE:2500Introduction to Interpreting4
ASLE:3905/EDTL:3905Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students4

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

American Sign Language, Minor

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
The undergraduate minor in American Sign Language (ASL) requires 16 s.h. of ASL coursework, including 12 s.h. of advanced courses numbered 2500 or above taken at the University of Iowa.
Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor.
Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.
 Hours0
First Year
Fall
ASL:1001 American Sign Language I a, b 4
 Hours4
Spring
ASL:1002 American Sign Language II a, b 4
 Hours4
Second Year
Fall
ASL:2001 American Sign Language III a, b 4
 Hours4
Spring
ASL:2002 American Sign Language IV a, c 4
 Hours4
Third Year
Fall
Minor: ASL elective d, e 3 - 4
 Hours3-4
Spring
Minor: ASL elective d, e 3 - 4
 Hours3-4
Fourth Year
Fall
Minor: ASL elective d, e 3 - 4
 Hours3-4
Spring
Minor: ASL elective d, e 3 - 4
 Hours3-4
 Total Hours28-32
a
Language level placement will be determined by placement exam score and/or interview. Students who place into the 5th semester level of the language will begin coursework at that level and will not be required to take semesters 1-4 of the language.
b
This course is a prerequisite for the required minor courses.
c
Minor must include ASL:2002 or demonstrated equivalent proficiency.
d
Only one American Sign Language course taught in English (ASLE) may be applied to the minor in ASL; if students choose to apply an ASLE course toward the minor, it must be taken for 4 s.h.
e
Choose from: ASL:3001, ASL:3100, ASL:3200, ASL:3300, ASL:3400, ASL:3500, ASL:3600, ASL:3700, ASL:4201/HIST:4201, ASLE:2500, ASLE:3905/EDTL:3905.