Teaching ASL

Overview of TASL

UNC's Extended Campus offers two graduate programs in Teaching American Sign Language. As a TASL student, you will select one of two programs. You take all of the same TASL courses in either program.

If you select the TASL with Licensure program, you will take four (4) additional courses. 

These additional courses meet the requirements by the Colorado Department of Education to teach in K-12 settings. You will obtain your Colorado teaching license at the end of this program which may be accepted by other states.

Specifics of TASL

• Course Delivery & Cost

  Summer Semesters

  Your courses will be hybrid.

   

  Half Online & Half In-Person

  Fall & Spring Semesters

  Your courses will be online.

   

  All Online

  All of your courses will be structured with assignments and due dates. Canvas is UNC's learning management system and is the main way you will access course content. Visit Extended Campus to learn more about the technical requirements of an online program.  

  The in-person part of TASL is required. The summer residential session establishes a foundation of knowledge and skills that you will build upon in the following semesters.

  Visit Extended Campus for tuition costs. 

• Course Sequencing

  As a TASL student, you will complete the required courses in the following sequence.

  Complete an Online Orientation
  
  3 weeks in May-June

  1st Semester - Summer
  Mandatory residential session

  TASL 501
  First and Second Language Acquisition in ASL (3 credits)

  TASL 505
  Teaching Deaf Community, Culture, and ASL Literature (3)

  If you select TASL with Licensure, you will also take

  

  EDF 500
  Conceptions of Schooling (3)

  2nd Semester - Fall

  TASL 502
  ASL Teaching Methods (3 credits)

  TASL 503
  ASL Assessment and Testing (3)

  

  PSY 500
  Educational Psychology for Teachers (3)

  3rd Semester - Spring

  TASL 511
  ASL Linguistics (3 credits)

  TASL 593
  Practicum for ASL Teaching I (3)

  

  ECLD 523
  Academic Language / Literacy Development for Diverse Learners in School Settings (3)

  4th Semester - Summer
  Mandatory residential session

  TASL 504
  ASL Curriculum Development and Design (3 credits)

  TASL 506
  Contemporary Professional Issues in Teaching ASL (3)

  

  EDSE 509
  Strategies for Students with Exceptionalities (3)

  5th Semester - Fall

  TASL 600
  ASL Graduate Research (3 credits)

  TASL 594
  Practicum for ASL Teaching II (3)

  Any changes to the typical course study will come from the TASL advisor.  

• Summer Residential Session

  As a TASL student, you will take a six week hybrid semester each summer.

  

  Begin courses online

  

  Continue courses on UNC campus

  3 week residential session
  Typically in July
  Classes on weekdays (8:00-5:00)
  Daily & weekend assignments

  

  Finish courses online

  You will be provided information (i.e., dates, room, dining, etc.) to plan your residential session each summer. 

  The summer residential session costs approximately $1,300 for out-of-state students who stay in UNC's residence halls. Meals are an additional cost. Meal plans can be purchased.

  The summer session creates a community of Deaf and hearing students from the ASL-English Interpretation and TASL programs. 

• Practicum Experience

  You will complete two practicum experiences during your TASL program.

  Practicum I

  During TASL 593
  3rd Semester (Spring)

  TASL only = 300 hours

  TASL with Licensure  = 400 hours
  (200+ hours in K-12 settings)

  Practicum II

  During TASL 594
  5th Semester (Fall)

  TASL only = 300 hours

  TASL with Licensure  = 400 hours
  (300+ hours in K-12 settings)

  You may be required to submit a criminal background check prior to practicum/field-based experiences. 

  Practicum experiences should happen in your home area.

  It is your responsibility to locate and secure the two practicum experiences. The TASL program will support and assist you in finding local practicum experiences. If a local practicum experience is unavailable, you may need to travel or relocate for your observations and student teaching. 

  If traveling or relocating for the two practicum experiences, you are responsible for expenses you may incur, including but not limited to travel, room and board, meals, personal expenses, tuition, course materials, and so on. 

  The ASLIS Department does not offer student teaching in online UNC courses. Nor is student teaching guaranteed at the Greeley campus, but requests will be considered.

• Language of Instruction

  TASL uses a bilingual approach. Course content uses different modes of communication (ASL, PSE, and written English) by Deaf and hearing instructors through different forms of media.

   

  Therefore, you must be proficient in ASL (native or near-native user) prior to applying.

• Scholarships

  Graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) opportunities may be available on the Greeley campus. GTAs are paid and receive tuition waivers for up to 10 credits per academic year.

  If you become a Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA), you cannot use your GTA hours towards your practicums.

  2022-2023 Scholarship Opportunities:

  The Dr. Marcia J. Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment will provide $1,000/year to a TASL student preparing to become a qualified ASL teacher.

   Scholarship funds from the Dean of the Graduate Schools have been increased to $2,000/year.

• TASL Outcomes & Memorandum of Agreement

  Upon graduation, you will be prepared to teach ASL

  In a variety of roles

  ASL instructor
  Tutor
  Specialist

  To varying age groups

  Elementary
  Secondary
  Post-secondary

  In a variety of settings

  Deaf studies programs
  Interpreter education programs
  Standalone language courses

  A Memorandum of Agreement has been ratified between American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA), UNC, and the TASL program.

  As a TASL graduate, you will receive a 1-year free complimentary membership as a certified ASLTA member. If you meet ASLTA's established criteria, the fee for ASLTA-Certified or ASLTA-Master certification process will be waived or reduced. 

  In 2021, the value of the Memorandum of Agreement was ~$525.

  ASLTA is a professional organization with a mission to perpetuate, preserve, and promote ASL and Deaf Culture through excellence in teaching. ASLTA has recognized TASL's defined exit competencies which ensure graduates have acquired the pedagogical framework to teach ASL as a foreign/modern language in numerous settings.

Apply to the TASL Programs