Best institutions to study Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages
A program that focuses on the scientific and scholarly study of the development, structure, and use of American Sign Language (ASL) and other visual signed languages, both as vehicles for communication within the deaf community and in relation to spoken and written languages.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 6 Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.1602, a specialization of American Sign Language (CIP 16.16), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages programs
A program that focuses on the scientific and scholarly study of the development, structure, and use of American Sign Language (ASL) and other visual signed languages, both as vehicles for communication within the deaf community and in relation to spoken and written languages. Includes instruction in cognitive linguistics; ASL and sign language phonology, syntax, and morphology; sociolinguistics of the deaf community; comparative linguistics; and studies of specific sign languages, including, but not limited to, ASL, Auslan (Australian Sign Language), LSF (French Sign Language), Shuwa jiten (Japanese Sign Language), HamNoSys (German Sign Language), and Gestuno.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages program focuses on the scientific study of American Sign Language (ASL) and other visual signed languages. It explores their development, structure, and use within the deaf community and in relation to spoken languages. This program is ideal for students interested in linguistics, communication, and the cultural aspects of sign languages.
Students will gain knowledge in cognitive linguistics, sign language phonology, syntax, morphology, and sociolinguistics of the deaf community. Coursework also includes comparative linguistics and studies of various sign languages, enhancing both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
Credentials awarded
What Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 6 |
Top 2 institutions for Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages, 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 47% | $14,382 | $37,235 |
| 2 | St Catherine University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 61% | $21,042 | $28,787 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader American Sign Language field (CIP 16.16) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states
Where Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages graduates come from. Each state links to all American Sign Language programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 1 | 5 | Gallaudet University5 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | St Catherine University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, secondary school teachers, or postsecondary educators. The job outlook for this field shows little to no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions and a median wage of $59,440, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.1602
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 |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1124 | $79,350 | -0.2% Little or no change | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional 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 Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages 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 degree do I earn from this program?+
You will earn a Master's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
Currently, there are 2 colleges offering this program.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages?+
Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages is CIP 16.1602 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within American Sign Language (CIP 16.16). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific and scholarly study of the development, structure, and use of American Sign Language (ASL) and other visual signed languages, both as vehicles for communication within the deaf community and in relation to spoken and written languages. Includes instruction in cognitive linguistics; ASL and sign language phonology, syntax, and morphology; sociolinguistics of the deaf community; comparative linguistics; and studies of specific sign languages, including, but not limited to, ASL, Auslan (Australian Sign Language), LSF (French Sign Language), Shuwa jiten (Japanese Sign Language), HamNoSys (German Sign Language), and Gestuno.
How many institutions offer Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 6 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all American Sign Language graduates.
How much do Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader American Sign Language field report median earnings of $37,235 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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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