The University of Houston's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers undergraduate students the chance to train to become interpreters for the deaf, and provides all-round teaching in American Sign Language (ASL). The university provides ASL interpreting as both a bachelor of arts degree and as part of the foreign language requirement in other degree programs. As part of the course, students work closely with professional interpreters and members of the local deaf community to cement their skills.
Lone Star College System, a series of colleges around the Houston area, runs an American Sign Language (ASL) course through its North Harris campus. Lone Star provides ASL teaching as part of an AA qualification, which is similar in scope to a baccalaureate and is heavily focused on vocational education, preparing students for work as interpreters and translators. It is also possible to take courses in ASL as part of the college system's continuing education program.
Houston Community College is situated across six campuses spread throughout Houston and offers a variety of different course types for those looking to study American Sign Language. The college runs a college-level course (known as semester credit hour), a dual-credit program (consisting of both college and high school credits), and continuing education courses (including adult credit recovery schemes). Students looking to apply for a course in American Sign Language are encouraged to first consider studying on the central campus, due to the proximity of teaching staff.
American Sign Language (ASL) is the predominant form of non-spoken communication in North America. It is based on both French Sign Language (FSL), which was used in the first American schools to use sign language, and native forms of sign communication. The National Institute on Deafness recommends that deaf children begin learning sign language as early as possible, especially if they have hearing children. As such, baby signing classes have recently experienced a surge in demand.