Skip to main content
ToggleMenu

American Sign Language

Did you know that over 28 million Americans are considered Deaf or Hard of Hearing and that Grand Rapids has approximately 25,414 deaf and hard of hearing individuals?  Of the top foreign languages studied in colleges and universities in the U.S. in 2013 ASL was number 3 behind Spanish and French.  ASL’s popularity continues to grow!

American Sign Language classes at GRCC prepare you to connect with the local and national Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Classes are offered at a variety of times at our downtown campus.

Adjunct faculty members can advise you with details on available classes, prerequisites if any, enrollment dates, potential career options, information on a West Michigan agency that serves the Deaf and Hard Hearing population with opportunities to volunteer, attend local Deaf events, and be involved in the Deaf community. 

Do GRCC’s ASL, Fingerspelling, and Introduction to Deaf Culture classes transfer to Lansing Community College's Interpreter Training Program (ITP)?

Yes! 

Lansing Community College (LCC) has partnered with GRCC to provide students who are interested in becoming American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters with an opportunity to complete their first year of the Sign Language Interpreter Program at GRCC before transferring to LCC to complete their training. 

LCC and GRCC agree that students who choose to transfer to LCC will be provided with a smooth curriculum transition minimizing loss of credit and duplication of coursework. During their final semester at GRCC, students should contact an advisor at LCC to assist them with enrollment in the summer courses required to continue on this pathway.

Learn more about the ASL pathway

For Sign Language advisory, email signadvising@lcc.edu or call (517) 483-5329.

Do GRCC’s ASL, Fingerspelling, and Introduction to Deaf Culture classes transfer to other colleges and universities?

Yes!  Find out about what courses transfer:  GRCC to Other Institutions.

To verify acceptance of credits, check with a counselor at GRCC or the college or university you plan to transfer to.

If I have taken ASL classes at the high school level or at a different college or university may I enroll in a higher level of ASL at GRCC?

Yes, you may if you successfully complete and pass (with a minimum of a “C” or higher) an ASL assessment at GRCC.We use the assessment to make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate ASL course for your skill level. For more information on scheduling a date and time to take either the Level 1(to enroll in ASL 2) or Level 2(to enroll in ASL 3) Assessment please contact Justine Bryant at justinebryant@grcc.edu.  Be sure to schedule this assessment several weeks before the semester you plan on attending GRCC.

Is there a prerequisite to enroll in the Fingerspelling class?

Yes, there is.  Students must take ASL 1 (SL 171) and pass with a “C” or higher in order to enroll in Fingerspelling.  The class is taught in sign language only with no voice using vocabulary learned from ASL 1.

Is there a prerequisite to enroll in the Introduction to Deaf Culture class?

No, there is not.  The instructor is Deaf and there are two professional sign language interpreters in the class for the duration of the semester.

Contact:

Justine Bryant, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Sign Language                                                             
Office: 353 Raleigh J. Finkelstein (RJF) Hall (in Office Suite - 330 Raleigh J. Finkelstein (RJF) Hall)
Email: justinebryant@grcc.edu

Phone:  (616) 234-3251

Transfer