Best institutions to study American Sign Language
Any instructional program that focuses on American Sign Language as a communication medium or language skill that is not listed above.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 5 American Sign Language students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.1699, a specialization of American Sign Language (CIP 16.16), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About American Sign Language programs
Any instructional program that focuses on American Sign Language as a communication medium or language skill that is not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The American Sign Language program focuses on teaching American Sign Language as a vital communication medium. This program is designed for individuals interested in developing their skills in this unique language, which is essential for effective communication within the Deaf community and beyond. It is suitable for students who wish to pursue careers in interpretation, translation, or related fields.
Students in the American Sign Language program will acquire core skills such as speaking, active listening, and critical thinking. They will also gain knowledge in English and foreign languages, customer service, and public safety, preparing them for various communication scenarios.
Credentials awarded
What American Sign Language graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions100%
Graduates over time
American Sign Language completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Top 2 institutions for American Sign Language, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlesex College Edison, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 33% | — |
| 2 | UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey Cranford, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 35% | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where American Sign Language graduates come from. Each state links to all American Sign Language programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2 | 5 | Middlesex College3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the American Sign Language program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with an estimated 6,900 annual openings and a median wage of $59,440. A bachelor's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.1699
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interpreters and Translatorsprimary SOC 27-3091 | $60,170 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~6,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in American Sign Language programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Tools and technology used
Other American Sign Language specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under American Sign Language (CIP 16.16).
Common questions
What is American Sign Language?+
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language used primarily by the Deaf community in the United States.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and various communication strategies.
What careers can I pursue with this program?+
You can become an interpreter or translator, among other roles in communication.
What is the job outlook for interpreters?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for American Sign Language?+
American Sign Language is CIP 16.1699 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within American Sign Language (CIP 16.16). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program that focuses on American Sign Language as a communication medium or language skill that is not listed above.
How many institutions offer American Sign Language programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported American Sign Language graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 5 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all American Sign Language graduates.
How much do American Sign Language graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which American Sign Language most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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