Foundational American Sign Language Micro-Credential

 

College of Arts, Languages and Letters

 

Earn a stand-alone micro-credential or earn a micro-credential as a current student:

 

  • To pursue a micro-credential as a professional or lifelong learner (outside of a degree program), please apply to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College under the Non-Degree Seeking, Unclassified Programs option. There is no cost to apply and applications are generally processed within 5-10 business days.
  • If you are currently a UH Mānoa student, you can add a micro-credential to your existing studies without any application.

 

Register for your courses:

 

  • Once your application has been processed, or if you are currently enrolled, you can register for your courses via STAR GPS.
  • Be sure to check the micro-credential program page for pre-requisites or specific course sequences.

 

Complete the Statement of Intent form

 

  • Complete the Statement of Intent form and indicate the micro-credential you are interested in.
  • You will receive an email notification confirming receipt of your form

 

Complete your courses and claim your digital badge:

 

  • Complete and pass all of the required courses required for the micro-credential.
  • After successfully finishing your coursework, you will receive information on how to claim your shareable digital badge to showcase your new skills.

 

About This Micro-Credential

This micro-credential provides a foundation in American Sign Language (ASL) to achieve intermediate-level receptive and expressive conversational skills. Whether your career involves working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities or you’re interested in language diversity, this program offers a comprehensive introduction to ASL and the rich culture of Deaf communities in the United States.

 

How to Get Started

Enroll in a series of four ASL courses designed to build your skills progressively. No prerequisites required—this program is open to both admitted University of Hawaiʻi students and unclassified students. Courses are offered in both in-person and fully online (synchronous) formats. 

 

Coursework

Complete a 4-course series (12 credits): ASL 101 (Elementary ASL I), ASL 102 (Elementary ASL II), ASL 201 (Intermediate ASL I), and ASL 202 (Intermediate ASL II). Students may substitute approved transfer credits that are direct equivalents. At least one required course must be completed at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to receive the micro-credential. All courses involve video demonstrations of signing ability, unit tests, and final exams to assess your progress.

 

Who This Is For

This program is ideal for teachers, social workers, health professionals, law enforcement, legal experts, and members of the business community who interact with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people. It’s also perfect for anyone interested in learning a language with a completely different form from English and exploring Deaf culture and history.

 

Competencies you Will Gain

Students will demonstrate beginning-level receptive and expressive ASL skills, and use basic ASL vocabulary in short structured interactions.

Micro-credential completers will be able to:

• Understand and produce basic ASL vocabulary;
• Introduce yourself and engage in short, structured interactions;
• Participate in longer conversations;
• Describe daily activities using spatial referencing and basic classifiers;
• Describe locations and movements using expanded vocabulary;
• Produce narratives and maintain conversations using appropriate discourse strategies.

 

Stackability

This sequence satisfies the Hawaiian or Second Language (HSL) general education requirement. Credits earned provide the foundational ASL skills for the Advanced American Sign Language micro-credential. Credits from ASL 202 can be applied directly to a BA in Linguistics (Concentration in ASL). Students must take courses for letter grades to ensure stackability toward a degree program.

Contact us

 

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