Framingham State University announced it will extend its bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language so students can complete all four years at FSU.
The program makes Framingham State the first public college in Massachusetts to offer a bachelor’s degree in ASL, according to a Friday announcement from the university. Although the school has had a bachelor’s degree in ASL since 2015, students used to have to do the first two years at a community college before transferring in to finish the program. Now, the full four years will be available at FSU.
Students will be able to enroll as freshmen with no prior ASL experience and will be placed in courses suited to their level after an evaluation. Students with an associate’s degree in deaf studies can also transfer into the program, according to Framingham State.
The need for ASL interpreters in hospitals, government agencies, classrooms, courts, private companies, nonprofits and other businesses across Massachusetts is growing, according to the school.
