1. WHAT MAKES THIS PROGRAM SO UNIQUE?

The University of Houston ASLI Program is committed to excellence. Class size is kept small so that detailed attention can be given to you throughout the program. The program has unique partnerships with community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Hobby Center and Theatre Under the Stars, Main Street Theater, Communication Axess Ability Group, and the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (ODHHS). Watch the brief video below to learn more. 

2. WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO A LANGUAGE LAB TO PRACTICE?

UH ASLI maintains its own computer and language lab.  You will also have access to an ASL tutor during the week.  Students in language and interpreting courses need more than just class time to develop linguistic skills. By visiting the lab, you will receive the most value for the course.

3. I ALREADY KNOW SOME ASL.  HOW DO I KNOW WHAT ASL CLASS TO ENROLL IN?

The ASLI Faculty offer placement tests at the beginning of every semester for students who know some ASL.  Students will be asked a series of questions in a conversational style to determine course placement. The placement test will last for 20 minutes and will be conducted in American Sign Language (ASL) only.  To learn more about placement testing, click here.

Are you fluent in ASL and need to earn college credit for ASL courses?  You must be a CURRENT UH student to earn such credit.  To learn more testing for college credit, click here.

4. WILL YOU ACCEPT ASL OR INTERPRETING COURSES TAKEN AT ANOTHER SCHOOL?

For ASL courses, community college coursework or coursework from other universities MUST be evaluated by UH ASLI faculty.  You will need to submit a copy of the syllabus for each course you are transferring in.  You will also need to take the UH ASL placement testing before the semester begins.   

For interpreting coursework, it might be accepted by the University as a transfer credit but it does not waive the interpreting courses listed on the degree plan in the junior and senior year.  You will still need to take those ASLI courses.

5. DO YOU OFFER ASL CLASSES ONLINE?

The Program does not currently offer any coursework online. The ASLI Faculty believes that face-to-face instruction is the best way to deliver course content and make sure you develop the needed language, professional and interpersonal skills. 

 6. I'M A TRANSFER STUDENT.  WHEN SHOULD I TRANSFER TO UH?

Fall semester is ideal.  You should transfer to UH after completing 30 hours of General Education courses (English, Math, Science, Government, History and Visual Arts).  ASLI courses offered at UH have a specialized content and are only offered ONCE per academic year so failing to follow the sequence will disrupt your academic progress and delay graduation.

7.  WHAT IS YOUR INTERNSHIP COURSE LIKE?

You will enroll in ASLI 4489 your final semester as an ASLI major.  Class will be held twice per week so you can de-brief with your peers and faculty member about assignment-related issues.  Each week, you will need to complete approximately 20 hours of approved internship activities.  You will also perform a capstone interpretation where the community is invited to observe your professional growth. To learn more about a recent capstone event, watch the video below. 

8.  HOW DO I BECOME A PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER?

Professional interpreters have passed either State or National certification.  Both exams have a written part and a performance part. 

To review current pass/fail rates for State certification, click here.  Currently, the State pass rate is 44% for those taking the Basic performance exam.  That means that for every 10 testing candidates sitting for the exam, only 4 pass. 

To review the current pass/fail rates for National certification, click here.  The National certification exam offered by CASLI currently has a pass rate of only 25% for the NIC performance exam.  That means that for every 10 testing candidates sitting for the exam, only 2 to 3 pass.   

The ASLI Program is NOT an easy program.  But students are adequately prepared for State & National Board examinations and for real-world work in the community.

9.  I WANT TO TEACH ASL OR TEACH DEAF CHILDREN.  CAN YOUR PROGRAM HELP ME?

The ASLI Program is not designed to prepare you to become a teacher and will not qualify you to take Teacher Educator State examinations.  If you wish to become an educator and wish to enroll in a Texas University, we recommend contacting Lamar University in Texas.