American Sign Language

General Advising Information

Please follow the steps outlined below to enroll in American Sign Language courses.

General enrollment information applies to all students taking ASL courses - from those enrolling in the foundational courses to prepare for interpreting certification, to majors in other areas (whether on a degree path or not), to the public person seeking to take courses as personal development.

Getting started in American Sign Language courses

Building upon the ASL foundation courses, Wichita State offers a minor and a bachelors degree.  Three specific tracks comprise the latter:  Structure of Language / Language and Culture in Context / Interpreting Methods.  Prepare for a career in languages and linguistics, audiology, criminal justice, education, psychology and more! With regard to format, MCLL offers various options: traditional classroom instruction, fully online, remote and hybrid.

Additional information on ASL course sequence:

Students do not have to be on a path toward the minor or Bachelor to enroll in ASL courses; it is possible to take just one or a few classes for personal development. ASL classes are available as "audit" courses only if, 1.) students are accepted to WSU and pay all university and course related fees; 2.) if the individual enrolls as a senior auditor.

• Most upper-level courses require successful completion of MCLL 360 as a prerequisite (grade of C, 2.000 points/credit hour, or better). Then students may start adding elective options. 
• MCLL 520: requires MCLL 360 as a pre-req. 520 can be concurrent with 360, but would require an override.
• MCLL 518: Students can take MCLL 270 concurrently with it, but some (guest students, etc.) may need to request an override in that situation.

Helpful links and information

• Admissions
• How to register for classes 
• Tuition and Fees 
• WSU UG Admissions Tuition and Fees (includes cost calculator)

American Sign Language (ASL) Courses

American Sign language courses are listed under Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, then Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures (ASL courses are listed as MCLL)

Note: MCLL 270 (American Sign Language I) and MCLL 518 (Deaf Culture) are cross listed with CSD 270 & CSD 518 respectively.

Credit by Exam options: Students with previous ASL experience may request to take MCLL 270, 360, 470, 480 by examination. Contact julie.henderson@wichita.edu Undergraduate Coordinator for MCLL for the Credit by Examination Procedures. Cost is $50 per exam (subject to change).

Minor in American Sign Language option available

Sign Language Interpreter Certification

WSU does not offer an interpreter certificate program. We do offer the foundational courses for students interested in becoming a certified interpreter.

Our degree program in American Sign Language is not an interpreter certificate program, but it is a good start on this path. Additional requirements are needed before you can take the state test and become certified as an interpreter. Please contact KCDHH below for more information.

The Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) is the agency responsible for the registration of sign language interpreters in the state of Kansas. Please contact them directly at 1-800-432-0698 for further requirements regarding certification.

All working interpreters in Kansas, regardless of experience, must be registered with KCDHH and hold one (or more) of the following certifications:

• Kansas Quality Assurance Screening (KQAS), levels -- 4/4 or 5/5;
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), national certification; or
• Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI), levels – Advanced or Master.
  KCDHH will recognize BEI certification that has been earned since January 1, 2015, and is at the Advanced or Master level.