Sign Language Studies

Discover the Diverse Career Opportunities in Teaching, Interpreting, and More

Students practicing signing in a classroom

Program Overview

Are you drawn to the rich language and culture of the American Sign Language (ASL) community? At College of Western Idaho (CWI), the Sign Language Studies program immerses you in ASL, offering an unparalleled opportunity to develop both expressive and receptive skills. This comprehensive Associate of Arts degree program is not just about language proficiency; it is a journey into cultural understanding and connection with the local Deaf community. Whether you aspire to be a teacher, interpreter, or speech-language pathologist, this program lays the foundation for diverse and rewarding career paths.

By completing this program, you will meet the general education requirements of all Idaho public universities, ready to transfer for further studies. Your experience in the program will be enriched through local events, community service, and symposiums, deepening your cultural awareness and empathy. This program is ideal for those who value linguistic diversity and are committed to lifelong learning and personal and professional success in the field of ASL and Deaf studies.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Arts

Time to Complete

2 years

Students practicing signing in a classroom

Learning Opportunities

  • ASL Language Proficiency: Develop advanced expressive and receptive language skills in ASL.
  • Cultural Immersion: Gain deep insights into Deaf culture and community through immersive learning experiences.
  • Critical Thinking & Comparative Analysis: Enhance your understanding of cultural perspectives and engage in meaningful comparisons.
  • Research Skills in ASL: Conduct research using written and signed discourse, improving information literacy.
  • Preparation for Diverse Careers: Equip yourself for careers in teaching, interpreting, speech-language pathology, and more.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Sign Language Studies – Associates of Arts Degree

Sign Language interpreter working with a young student in a classroom

Career Opportunities

  • Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary

    381

    Annual Openings*

    $13.03

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $27,102

    Annual Median Salary

    14.47%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Interpreters and Translators

    Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

    34

    Annual Openings*

    $18.70

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $38,896

    Annual Median Salary

    22.52%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

    20

    Annual Openings*

    $23.11

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $48,069

    Annual Median Salary

    20.84%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

    Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. Excludes “Substitute Teachers, Short-Term” (25-3031).

    12

    Annual Openings*

    $28.86

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $60,029

    Annual Median Salary

    25.11%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Special Education Teachers, Middle School

    Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. Excludes “Substitute Teachers, Short-Term” (25-3031).

    12

    Annual Openings*

    $22.75

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $47,320

    Annual Median Salary

    15.05%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Special Education Teachers, Preschool

    Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. Excludes “Substitute Teachers, Short-Term” (25-3031).

    2

    Annual Openings*

    $27.06

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $56,285

    Annual Median Salary

    21.6%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.

Admissions

Step 1

Step 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Academic CalendarNew Student Checklist

Clubs

ASL Club drawing of hands
ASL Club

We are passionate about American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture, supporting the Deaf community, events, and more! Come join fellow ASL students at College of Western Idaho at our monthly meetings to make lasting friendships and practice ASL...

News

To celebrate International Week of the Deaf and Deaf Awareness Month, CWI’s ASL Club and Student Disability Services hosted a few events.

Read more about CWI Celebrates International Week of the Deaf and Deaf Awareness Month

Congratulations to Arts and Humanities Administrative Assistant, Kayla Adams, College of Western Idaho’s Staff of the Month for April 2022.

Read more about Adams Named Staff of the Month for April

“CWI empowered me to believe in myself and in a better future.”

Read more about Leading by Example

Sherry Matthews has been named College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for June 2018.

Read more about Faculty of Distinction—June 2018

"Because of CWI, I am successful in achieving my dreams."

Read more about Erin T.
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