Sign Langauge Colleges in Michigan

According to the Modern Language Association, sign language enrollments jumped 30 percent between 2002 and 2006, making American Sign Language (ASL) the fourth most-studied language on college campuses, behind Spanish, French and German.

More than 20 colleges in Michigan offer classes in ASL as a foreign language, but there are only three state-approved degree programs for sign language interpreters. Graduates work as freelance interpreters or find full-time work in a variety of settings, including schools and social service agencies.
  1. Lansing Community College

    • Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan, started its sign language/interpreter training program in 1978. Sign language students can earn an associate's degree by completing 54 credits of signing courses and a minimum of 12 general education courses.

      Lansing Community College also offers a certificate of achievement, which only requires 37 to 38 credits, all in signing-related courses.

      Signing classes include introduction to the deaf community, advanced fingerspelling, conversational ASL, principles of interpreting and more.

      Lansing Community College
      P.O. Box 40010
      Lansing, MI 48901-7210
      517-483-1957
      lcc.edu

    Mott Community College

    • Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan offers courses in American Sign Language and an associate's degree in sign language interpretation. According to the college's website, students must complete at least one year of formal sign language training before they can apply for the program.

      The training program includes 18 credit hours of general education courses and 49 credit hours of sign language classes. These include introduction to deaf-blind interpreting, introduction to ASL linguistics, professional responsibilities and a preparation class for the state's interpreter certification test.

      Mott Community College
      1401 East Court St.
      Flint, MI 48503
      810-762-0200
      mcc.edu

    Madonna University

    • Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan, started offering a bachelor's degree in sign language studies in 1975. It is the only four-year sign language program in the state. Students can select a concentration in deaf studies or sign language interpreting.

      According to the university's website, the sign language studies curriculum adheres to a philosophy that sign language is a human right. Courses include sign language structure, deaf culture, interpreting in specialized settings, simultaneous communication and ASL drama.

      Madonna University
      36600 Schoolcraft Road
      Livonia, Michigan 48150
      800-852-4951
      madonna.edu

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