Human Services

Program Statement 

The Deaf Studies program – Human Services option prepares students who aspire to either work in an entry-level position in a Deaf human service setting or they plan to transfer and specialize in social work, vocational rehabilitation, counseling, or other related fields.  Fundamental to our program are both competency in American Sign Language (ASL) and a desire to work within the Deaf community as allies. All Deaf Studies programs share the same ASL and Deaf Studies core courses that explore the language, culture, history and contemporary issues of Deaf people. Our curriculum also lays the foundation needed to successfully transfer into a 4-year program in the human services area of choice.

Program Information 

The program can be completed in 2 years if students successfully complete 5 courses a semester (15 credits). Less than five courses per semester will add additional time to complete the program and graduate. Students can also opt to take summer courses to lessen the fall/spring workload.

Program courses are a combination of general education courses all students must take, Deaf Studies and ASL courses, and courses that pertain to a variety of fields within human services.

Students who want to meet the MassTransfer block should take a 3-credit science as their free elective.

Students wanting to continue in Social Work should choose an elective (with their advisor/program coordinators) that pertains to that transfer goal.

Students who have taken non-credit “sign language classes” in the past, or who are native signers (Deaf/signing family) should meet with the program coordinators to discuss Credit for Prior Learning Assessment (CPL) opportunities. 

Students who have taken 2 or more ASL classes in high school, with a B or better, should meet with the program coordinators for placement. 

Although individual courses may be offered on different campuses in both day/evening formats and/or online, Deaf Studies courses (DST/DSC) and upper level ASL courses (ASL 201 and 202) are primarily offered on the New Bedford campus for day, face-to-face classes or online; some Deaf Studies courses are solely offered online (Deaf History, Deaf Literature)

Students who do not earn a C or better in any ASL class, DST 101 Introduction to Deaf Studies or DST 110 Deaf Culture will not be able to complete an Associate's in Arts in Deaf Studies program and should speak to the program coordinators about options including retaking courses.

Students spend an additional hour per week engaged in language lab activities with every ASL class taken. Students are expected to attend various Deaf events and get involved with their program throughout their studies to apply their language skills and develop them further in real world, practical situations. 

Students may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check for courses which require Community Based Learning or ASL 285 placements.

Bristol offers several Deaf Studies concentrations to meet your career and academic goals. The concentration options are Transfer, Interpreter Transfer, Education, and Human Services. Students unsure of which option to choose should choose Deaf Studies: Transfer.  We also have a “Prep Certificate” for those that want to explore some introductory courses before they choose a concentration. Students can change program options any time during their studies with an advisor/program coordinator.

Although designed as a human-services focused program, graduates develop valuable skills which can be applied across many ASL workforce career paths or 4-year degree programs.

If you are unsure if you can meet the essential functions required of the various fields within Human Services, please seek out the Office of Disability Services to discuss your situation and needs.

After Bristol

If you plan to transfer to a four-year institution, visit the Transfer Affairs website at www.BristolCC.edu/transfer.

Graduates of this option have successfully transferred to Bridgewater State University and Rhode Island College for a degree in Social Work or entered the ASL workforce in entry level positions such as direct support professionals for individuals who are Deaf+, independent living skills advocates and DBCAN providers.