American Sign Language, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for American Sign Language, Other.: The DTI for this program is 74.4%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering American Sign Language, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $32250) to the average debt ($23994) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for American Sign Language, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 74.4%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering American Sign Language, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($32250) against the typical student debt ($23994), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Considering American Sign Language, Other.? This major is known for its blend of hands-on learning and career-ready skills. Graduates often start out earning $32250, and with an average student debt of $23994, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.74—pretty reasonable for most students.
With more than 2341 students earning this degree each year, you’ll be part of a vibrant community. Whether you’re interested in job security, making a difference, or just want a degree that opens doors, American Sign Language, Other. is a smart choice. Don’t forget: internships, networking, and campus involvement can make your experience even more valuable.
Degree Overview
American Sign Language, Other (CIP 16.1699) is a specialized category for advanced visual-spatial linguistic analysts and accessibility innovators who focus on the fringes of signed communication. While a standard ASL major focuses on fluency or general interpreting, professionals in this "Other" category are "Visual Language Scientists." They study Tactile Signing, Black ASL (BASL), International Sign (IS), and the development of signed languages for specialized technical fields. It is a path for "accessibility architects" who want to bridge the gap between the Deaf community and the rapidly evolving worlds of law, medicine, and artificial intelligence.
This field is ideal for "spatial thinkers"—individuals who are fascinated by the three-dimensional logic of signed communication and who want to apply that knowledge to complex human and technological systems.
What Is an "Other" American Sign Language Degree?
A degree in this category is an applied STEM-adjacent path that emphasizes visual-gestural linguistics, sociolinguistic variation, and assistive technology integration. You will study the "Linguistic Core"—mastering the grammar and syntax of ASL—but your focus will be on specialized or emerging applications. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Pro-Tactile ASL for the Deaf-Blind, Forensic ASL Linguistics, or the development of Sign Language Machine Learning. It prepares you to be a "Systems Specialist" who ensures that information is not just translated, but truly accessible in every dimension.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Linguistic Consultants" who specialize in regional dialects and cultural variations within the Deaf community
- Develop experts in Deaf-Blind Communication, focusing on the tactile and haptic methods of information exchange
- Prepare professionals for Legal and Medical Advocacy, where a deep understanding of specialized terminology and ethics is required
- Study Visual Language Acquisition, exploring how the brain processes signed vs. spoken data
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that sign language is not a "visual version of English," but a distinct linguistic system with its own logic. You focus on the "Physics of Gesture."
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Non-Manual Markers (NMMs)—understanding how facial expressions and body posture function as essential grammar
- Use "Linguistic Notation" (like SignWriting or Stokoe notation) to record and analyze signed data
- Design Visual-Spatial Frameworks for interpreting in complex environments like operating rooms or courtrooms
- Perform Sociolinguistic Analysis—identifying how race, age, and geography change the way people sign
- Utilize Haptic and Tactile Tools to facilitate communication with individuals who have multiple sensory disabilities
- Understand Sign Language Informatics—working on the data sets used to train AI to recognize human motion
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of cognitive science, sociology, and advanced linguistics:
- Cognitive Linguistics of Sign: How the brain maps language onto three-dimensional space.
- Deaf Studies and Intersectionality: The study of unique sub-cultures like Black ASL or LGBTQ+ signing communities.
- The History of Manual Education: Tracing the evolution of signed languages from Old French Sign to modern variations.
- Assisted Communication Technology: Exploring Video Relay Services (VRS) and haptic feedback devices.
- Forensic ASL: Analyzing signed testimony or recorded communication for legal authenticity.
- Artistic and Poetic Sign: The study of ASL literature, "Visual Vernacular," and performance art.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialized consultants, accessibility leads, and researchers in tech, government, and healthcare.
Common job roles include:
- Accessibility Systems Lead: Designing the communication protocols for large organizations or tech platforms.
- Tactile/Deaf-Blind Consultant: Providing high-level support for individuals with dual-sensory loss in educational or professional settings.
- ASL Data Analyst: Working for tech companies to improve sign-to-text and sign-to-voice AI technologies.
- Regional Linguistic Expert: Consulting on legal or educational cases involving regional dialects like BASL.
- Curriculum Developer: Creating advanced visual-spatial training materials for specialized professional fields.
- Forensic Sign Specialist: Analyzing video evidence to ensure accurate interpretation of intent and nuance.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists are the "access innovators" in several high-growth domains:
- Tech Giants: Working on the future of computer vision and accessibility at firms like Apple, Google, or Meta.
- Government and Justice: Working on civil rights compliance, international diplomacy, and specialized legal support.
- Hospitals and Research Centers: Ensuring complex medical information is accessible in the most accurate visual format.
- Higher Education: Conducting research on the "Visual Brain" and teaching advanced linguistic theory.
- Entertainment and Media: Consulting on "Performance Sign" and ensuring inclusive media production.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of the move toward "Universal Design" and the explosion of AI-driven accessibility, specialists in this niche command higher salaries than generalist interpreters.
- Accessibility Systems Leads/Managers: Median annual salary of approximately $85,000–$120,000.
- AI/Tech Linguistic Consultants: Salaries typically range from $95,000 to $145,000+.
- Specialized Legal/Medical Experts: Median annual salary of around $75,000–$110,000.
- Entry-Level Researchers: Often start between $55,000 and $72,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the mastery of multi-channel communication. You must be able to process and produce multiple levels of information (handshape, facial expression, and spatial placement) simultaneously. It requires a highly analytical and observant mindset—you must be able to see "invisible" grammar in the space around a signer. It is a research-intensive and physically demanding major that rewards those who have high "Spatial Intelligence" and a deep commitment to social equity.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are a "Visual-Spatial Thinker" who enjoys puzzles, architecture, or 3D design
- Have a passion for civil rights and "barrier-free" communication
- Are fascinated by how the human brain adapts to different sensory inputs
- Want a career that bridges the gap between the Human Experience and Advanced Technology
- Enjoy the nuance of "unspoken" communication and cultural variation
How to Prepare in High School
- Take as much ASL as possible; fluency is the baseline for all advanced research
- Take AP Psychology and AP Computer Science; they provide the cognitive and digital tools you'll need
- Practice Observation Skills—hobbies like photography or dance help you understand body mechanics and framing
- Join an ASL or Deaf Culture club to understand the community you will be serving
- Read about Universal Design to see how architects and engineers create spaces for everyone
The ability to apply deep linguistic mastery and visual logic to the complexities of signed communication and accessibility is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor