Advanced American Sign Language
Undergraduate Badge
Grand Rapids • Face to face • 12 Credits
Advanced American Sign Language (ASL) involves the use of complex sign vocabulary, grammar, and nonverbal elements to communicate effectively and understand the cultural nuances of the deaf community.
Overview
Grand Valley's Advanced American Sign Language (ASL) Undergraduate Badge program equips students with advanced ASL skills and a deep understanding of the American Deaf Community. Open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking learners, the program is offered face-to-face on the GVSU Health Campus. The badge signifies proficiency in ASL and knowledge of significant events and experiences that have shaped the Deaf Community, though it does not qualify one for interpreting between English and ASL.
The coursework covers:
- Intermediate Sign Vocabulary.
- Grammar.
- Nonverbal Elements.
- Fingerspelling.
- Deaf History and Culture.
- Extended ASL Conversations.
Studying this program at GVSU offers numerous benefits, including enhanced cognitive function, creative thinking, and hand-eye coordination. Understanding Deaf culture enables effective communication with Deaf clients, patients, or customers. Completing this badge also highlights marketable skills to potential employers, making it a valuable specialization.
A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. GVSU offers both credit and non-credit bearing badges as digital credentials. Credit-bearing badges include anywhere from 0.5 to 15 academic credits and may include additional noncredit criteria. Credit-bearing badges are also posted to the academic transcript.
Admission Information
Admissions to complete a digital badge is open to both degree and nondegree seeking students. If you are not currently a Grand Valley student, start your application here.
For current GVSU students:
- Declare your badge via myBanner. Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate badge from the drop down list, and click Submit.
- Speak with the appropriate badge coordinator to ensure criteria are being met. You will be able to track your progress toward the badge in myPath as well!
- Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the badge via myBanner.
- Once the completion of your badge has been verified, the badge will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. In addition, your digital badge will be posted on Credly.com.
College of Health Professions
Misti Ryefield, American Sign Language Coordinator
420-M
Finkelstein Hall (RFH)
(616) 331-5554
[email protected]
Career Opportunities
Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 30,829.90 | 10% |
| $ 35,835.66 | 25% |
| $ 42,371.15 | 50% |
| $ 49,628.77 | 75% |
| $ 64,093.82 | 90% |
Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Instructing
- Learning Strategies
- Social Perceptiveness
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 46,754.26 | 10% |
| $ 58,541.41 | 25% |
| $ 75,363.90 | 50% |
| $ 81,912.55 | 75% |
| $113,726.65 | 90% |
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Top skills- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 69,710.54 | 10% |
| $ 79,659.66 | 25% |
| $ 85,461.85 | 50% |
| $101,176.90 | 75% |
| $107,516.13 | 90% |
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Scholarships
Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based
scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are
available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.
Grand Valley offers myScholarships
(a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match
with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities.
myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you
to scholarships for which you might qualify.
Cutting Edge Health Facility
Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall is a state-of-the-art academic facility on GVSU’s Health Campus in downtown Grand Rapids, designed to support hands-on, experiential learning in health-related fields. The building features modern classrooms, advanced simulation and lab spaces, and collaborative study areas. Explore Finkelstein Hall.
Student Organizations
Getting involved and staying engaged with our vibrant campus community help you make the most of your Grand Valley experience. Attending student life events, joining a student organization, or participating in campus recreation opportunities are all fantastic ways to maximize your college years:
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