Deaf Studies
AA Degree Sign Language Interpreting · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Sign Language Department
The Mt. San Antonio College Deaf Studies Program’s mission is to increase the knowledge and inspire students to appreciate Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority with a breadth and depth of rich histories, languages, cultures, and experiences; and prepare them for advanced degrees and careers with Deaf people while cultivating their professional dispositions.
Taught through a framework of social justice and communication equity about how to be an ally to the community through immersion of various intersections of Deaf culture and language. This knowledge and framework are the foundation to careers in advocacy, speech and language pathology, teaching, and counseling.
The Deaf Studies degree is comprised of three parts: language, core classes, and electives. Mt. SAC offers language classes from American Sign Language 1 to American Sign Language 5, Deaf Studies core classes, and electives. Upon graduation, students are encouraged to transfer for advanced degrees and work in a variety of settings in the Deaf community. This program is distinct from the Sign Language interpreting Program and does not focus on interpreting skills and knowledge. However, it complements the interpreting program by providing a strong foundation in Deaf Studies.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SIGN 101 | American Sign Language 1 | 4 |
| orSIGN 101H | American Sign Language 1 - Honors | |
| SIGN 102 | American Sign Language 2 | 4 |
| SIGN 103 | American Sign Language 3 | 4 |
| SIGN 104 | American Sign Language 4 | 4 |
| SIGN 105 | American Sign Language 5 | 4 |
| SIGN 201 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 |
| SIGN 202 | Cultures in the Deaf Community | 3 |
| SIGN 206 | Social Justice and Intersectionality within the Deaf Community | 3 |
| SIGN 208 | Creative Uses of American Sign Language | 3 |
| SIGN 212 | American Sign Language Features and Linguistics | 3 |
| Required Electives: Choose a minimum of 5 units | 5 | |
| SIGN 108 | Fingerspelling, Numbers and Classifiers | |
| SIGN 214 | Lengua de Señas Mexicana (LSM) and Mexican Deaf Culture | |
| SIGN 223 | Introduction to Interpreting | |
| SIGN 299 | Special Projects in Sign Language/Interpreting | |
| Total Units | 40 | |
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:
Demonstrate a professional disposition.
Increase knowledge and inspire appreciation for Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority with a breadth and depth of rich histories, languages, cultures, and experiences.
Use the foundation of acquired knowledge to be prepared for advanced degrees and careers with Deaf people.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.