Sign language does not count as a foreign language for most college admissions and degree requirements, even though it is a complete language with its own grammar and syntax.

American Sign Language (ASL) is a fully developed language used by Deaf and hard of hearing communities in the United States and parts of Canada. It has its own rules for grammar, word order, and expression that are completely different from English. Despite this, most colleges and universities classify ASL courses under disability services, linguistics, or cultural studies rather than in their foreign language departments.

This matters because colleges typically require students to complete foreign language coursework for general education or degree requirements. If you take ASL, that course usually will not satisfy those requirements, even though you are learning a genuine second language. Some schools are beginning to change this policy, but it remains uncommon.

Key Takeaways

  • ASL is a complete language with its own grammar, but most colleges do not count it toward foreign language requirements.
  • You should check your specific college's policy before enrolling in ASL, because a small number of schools do accept it for language credit.
  • Taking ASL may still be valuable for career paths in education, interpreting, or social services, even if it does not fulfill degree requirements.
  • Some states are pushing universities to recognize ASL as a foreign language, so policies are slowly changing at certain institutions.

Why colleges treat ASL differently from Spanish or French

The distinction comes from history rather than linguistics. When colleges created foreign language departments in the 1800s and 1900s, they were focused on spoken languages from other countries. ASL developed separately within American Deaf communities and was not part of academic institutions until much later. As a result, ASL ended up in different departments—often under special education, linguistics, or cultural studies—rather than alongside Romance languages and European languages.

The other reason is practical: most colleges do not have enough ASL instructors or Deaf faculty to run a full foreign language program the way they do for Spanish or Mandarin. Foreign language departments typically offer multiple levels, conversation courses, literature classes, and study abroad options. Many schools offer only one or two ASL courses, which makes it harder to justify placing the program in the foreign language department.

Which colleges do accept ASL for foreign language credit

A growing number of universities are changing their policies. Colleges including Gallaudet University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and some state university systems now accept ASL to satisfy foreign language requirements. However, these are still the exception rather than the rule.

Before you enroll in ASL at any college, contact the registrar or the foreign language department directly and ask whether ASL will count toward your degree requirements. Do not assume it will, even if the college offers the course. Some schools offer ASL but do not count it as a foreign language for graduation purposes. Getting this answer in writing before you register can save you from taking a course that does not count the way you expected.

State-level efforts to recognize ASL as a foreign language

Several states have passed laws requiring their public universities to accept ASL as a foreign language. California, New York, Illinois, and a handful of others have enacted legislation that pushes colleges to change their policies. However, even in these states, not every college has updated its requirements yet, and private colleges are not always bound by state law.

If you live in a state with such a law, check whether your specific college has implemented it. The law may exist, but the college may still be in the process of updating its catalog and degree requirements. Contact the admissions office or registrar to find out the current status at your school.

What ASL courses can do for you even if they do not count toward language requirements

Taking ASL can still be valuable for your career and education, even if it does not satisfy a foreign language requirement. Interpreters, special education teachers, and social workers often need ASL skills. If you are considering any field that works with Deaf or hard of hearing people, ASL coursework strengthens your resume and gives you practical skills that employers value.

You may also be able to use ASL credits toward an elective or general education requirement in a different category, depending on how your college organizes its curriculum. Some schools count ASL under humanities, cultural studies, or communication courses. Ask your academic advisor whether the ASL course can count toward a different requirement if it does not count as a foreign language.

How to find out your college's specific policy

The fastest way to get a clear answer is to contact your college's registrar office or foreign language department directly. You can also check the college catalog online—search for "ASL" or "American Sign Language" and look at which department offers it and what requirements it satisfies. Many colleges list this information in their course descriptions.

If you are still in high school and choosing colleges, ask about ASL policy during campus visits or in emails to admissions. If you are already enrolled and considering taking ASL, talk to your academic advisor before you register. They can tell you whether the course will count toward your specific degree program and requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will ASL count if I transfer to a different college?

Transfer credit depends on the college you are transferring to, not the college where you took the course. A college that does not accept ASL for foreign language credit at its own institution usually will not accept it from another school either. Check the transfer policies at your new college before you assume the credit will transfer.

Can I use ASL to satisfy a foreign language requirement for graduate school?

Graduate programs set their own requirements, and most still do not accept ASL as a foreign language. If you are planning to apply to graduate school and need a foreign language credit, contact the program directly to ask whether ASL would be accepted. Do not assume it will be, even if your undergraduate college accepts it.

Is ASL harder or easier than learning Spanish or French?

ASL is not harder or easier—it is just different. It uses a completely different grammar system based on spatial relationships and hand shapes rather than word order. Some students find it easier because there is no written component to worry about, while others find the visual-spatial grammar more challenging than spoken language.

If my college does not accept ASL, can I petition to have it count?

You can ask, but most colleges will not make exceptions to degree requirements for individual students. If you believe ASL should count at your college, you could work with other students or Deaf advocacy groups to petition the college to change its policy for future students. Policy changes happen through formal requests to curriculum committees, not individual exceptions.