Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can pursue a certificate in Deaf Cultural Studies/ASL?
Answer: Our primary audience is students in AOS degree program. Our alumni and NTID/RIT employees are our secondary audience. BS, AS and AAS degrees students also can pursue the certificate if desired.
2. What are the two certificates in Deaf Cultural Studies/ASL?
Answer: The two areas are: American Sign Language Studies and Advocacy and Community.
3.How many credit hours are required for a certificate in the two areas?
Answer: Students must complete 15-credit hours, including the Introduction to Deaf Cultural Studies and ASL course.
4. Can I pursue certificates in both areas?
Answer: Yes, you can if you can fit them in your schedule.
5.Can I pursue a certificate while I am undecided about my major?
Answer: No, you have to declare your major before pursuing a certificate. But, you can still enroll in Deaf Cultural Studies courses.
6. Can I transfer NTID Deaf Cultural Studies credits to RIT bachelor degree programs?
Answer: No, Deaf Cultural Studies courses taken at NTID cannot be transferred to RIT (3-credit hour vs. 4-credit hour).
7. What is the difference between the ASL Studies and Deaf Culture Studies concentrations offered by the RIT College of Liberal Arts?
Answer: The ASL Studies concentration is a foreign-language based program geared to students learning ASL. The Deaf Culture Studies concentration is a culturally-based program geared to students who already know ASL.
8. When can I declare a minor or concentration?
Answer: Anytime, but we recommend late freshman or early sophomore year when you are done with core courses.
9. Are there procedures for declaring College of Liberal Arts minors and concentrations?
Answer: Check www.rit.edu/cla/minors_concentrations_procedures.php.
10. I took ASL I from MCC (or another college). Can this be used for my pre-requisite for declaring an ASL concentration?
Answer: ASL I from MCC is transferable and the transferred credits can be used toward the ASL I prerequisite for the concentration in ASL Studies or it can be used as an Arts of Expression course required for graduation.
11. I already know some ASL but I am not sure which course to register for. What do I do?
Answer: Contact Professors Colleen Evenstad (LBJ-3620) or Leisa Boling (LBJ-3644) for an appropriate course placement.
12. Who can pursue a certificate in Deaf Cultural Studies/ASL?
Answer: Our primary audience is students in AOS degree program. Our alumni and NTID/RIT employees are our secondary audience. BS, AS and AAS degrees students also can pursue the certificate if desired.
13. Can I be waived from ASL II or ASL III in the ASL Studies concentration?
Answer: No, there are no course waivers in a concentration at RIT.
14. Can NTID students declare a concentration in ASL Studies?
Answer: If deaf or hard-of-hearing students in a bachelor degree program at RIT do not have proficiency in ASL, they can set up an interview with Professors Evenstad or Boling for an appropriate course placement.
15. Can I audit in ASL class?
Answer: RIT does not allow audits for language courses.
16. What can I do if all classes are full and I can’t get in?
Answer: You can regularly check the course enrollment during add and drop period on SIS for an opportunity to add the course. Under special circumstances, we will consider your needs that are unmet.
17. Why are there restrictions on some of the ASL Studies courses?
Answer: You will see restrictions on one or two sections of ASL courses offered to allow 1st and 2nd year students the opportunity to register since these courses are in high demand and fill up very quickly.
18. Can I minor in ASL Studies?
Answer: RIT currently does not offer a minor in ASL Studies; however, we are beginning discussions to develop one in the near future.
19. Can I minor in Deaf Culture Studies
Answer: Yes, the minor will offer students the opportunity for a more focused study of ASL and Deaf Culture. Except for ASL I, all other ASL and Deaf Culture courses, in every possible combination, can be applied towards the 20-credits required for a minor.
20. Will the ASL courses in the ASL Studies concentration transfer into the Interpreting program?
Answer: Yes, COLA ASL I, ASL II and ASL III course credits are transferrable into the bachelor degree program in ASL-English Interpretation.
Rochester Institute of Technology | National Technical Institute for the Deaf | Deaf Cultural Studies
52 Lomb Memorial Drive | Rochester, NY 14623 | Tel. 585-475-6769 | Fax. 585-475-6869
52 Lomb Memorial Drive | Rochester, NY 14623 | Tel. 585-475-6769 | Fax. 585-475-6869