American Sign Language (ASL) classes are housed in the Department of Linguistics, and can satisfy the Hawaiian or Second Language general education requirement.

BA in Linguistics (Concentration in ASL) – Opening Fall 2026

Starting Fall 2026, students can declare a major in Linguistics with a Concentration in ASL for the B.A. degree. The Concentration in ASL will be indicated on transcripts. This major requires 30 credits of coursework, 9 of which are fulfilled by ASL 202, ASL 301, and ASL 302. Students who declare this major will receive general advising through the College of Arts, Languages & Letters (CALL) Advising Center for completion of General Education requirements and graduation requirements, and through the Undergraduate Chair of the Department of Linguistics for courses in the major. Please see the BA in Linguistics (Concentration in ASL) Program Sheet for detailed requirements.

Policies

A grade of C (not C-) or better in the prerequisite courses is required for continuation, unless otherwise specified. Students with ASL experience, including students with approved ASL transfer credits, are required to take a placement test (email: linguist@hawaii.edu).

The placement exam is strongly recommended if you are interested in taking advanced courses (300 level) and there has been a gap since your last language class, or if you would like a firmer sense of your proper placement.

The 101 course is intended for students with no prior experience in the language. If your language proficiency is judged to be beyond the 101-level on the first day of class, you will be asked to take a placement exam and possibly advised to enroll in a higher-level course. Students who are placed 102 or a higher level may complete the language requirement faster and also earn back-credits (up to 12 credits, which can be counted toward graduation. Restrictions apply: see the Manoa Back Credit Policy ). Students starting from 101 will receive no back-credits. A placement adjustment made in the first week of class does not guarantee a seat in the course appropriate for the student.

Enrolling in ASL courses during both Summer Sessions

If you are planning to enroll in ASL courses during both Summer Sessions (e.g. ASL 201 in Summer Session I and ASL 202 in Summer Session II), please contact the Linguistics Department regarding your registration.

Global Seal of Biliteracy credential

Graduating students can sign up for ASL proficiency testing through the Hawai’i Language Roadmap Initiative to earn a Global Seal of Biliteracy credential at no cost to the student.