Welcome to the American Sign Language Department at Fullerton College
The American Sign Language (ASL) Department offers a culturally and linguistically rich environment where students quickly build skills in vocabulary, mechanics, and the spatial grammar of ASL, while gaining insight and appreciation of the history, values, and community contributions of Deaf culture in the United States.
The ASL degree program emphasizes cultural competency and respect, fostering meaningful connections between hearing and Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals. Rooted in the principles of advocacy and equity, the ASL program supports students in promoting disability justice both within and beyond the classroom.
Additional opportunities to practice American Sign Language skills and engage with Deaf culture are available via the student-led ASL Club, mentored each semester by one of our faculty.
We appreciate the great community and campus interest in our vibrant and growing program, and look forward to seeing you in class!
Brian Cole
bcole@fullcoll.edu
Kristine Crable
kcrable@fullcoll.edu
Jaspreet Ghotra
jghotra@fullcoll.edu
Eddie Gutierrez
egutierrez@fullcoll.edu
ASL Curriculum
Course Sequence and Prerequisite Challenges
ASL 101 F – American Sign Language I
ASL 102 F – American Sign Language II
ASL 203 F – American Sign Language III
ASL 204 F – American Sign Language IV
Students who have completed two years of high school ASL with grades of “C” or better in each semester can qualify to skip ASL 101 F. The Counseling office can approve and clear qualifying students on review of their high school transcript.
Other prerequisite challenges may be considered on a case-by-case basis by contacting humanities@fullcoll.edu.
ASL 206 F – American Deaf Cultures
This course has no pre-requisites, and fulfills General Education requirements for Fullerton College and CSU Area C2, and IGETC area 3B. Interpreters are provided the entire length of the course – no knowledge of American Sign Language is necessary to complete this course.
Degree Information
Students completing the entire ASL sequence will be well prepared to transfer to universities such as CSUN to continue ASL/Deaf studies and train for careers in advocacy and interpreting. Students completing an AA degree in ASL at Fullerton College will emerge prepared to communicate better with deaf and hard of hearing individuals in their daily lives.
Course Rotation
(Subject to change)
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
| ASL 101 F – American Sign Language 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ASL 102 F – American Sign Language 2 | ✓ | ✓ | occasionally |
| ASL 203 F – American Sign Language 3 | Fall 2026; every fall thereafter | Spring 2026 | |
| ASL 204 F – American Sign Language 4 | Spring 2027; every spring thereafter | ||
| ASL 206 F – American Deaf Cultures | ✓ | ✓ |
Activities and Cultural Events
Fullerton College Deaf Cultural Event “Deaf Perspectives”
In Spring 2025, the ASL department hosted a panel discussion, bringing the culture to our campus.
MATA Expo
Each fall term, ASL students are encouraged to attend MATA Cares Expo, a large, regional event that brings the Deaf community together from all over southern California.
ASL Students Explore the Power of Signing at Mata Expo
MATA Expo Fall 2025
DeafNation Expo
When a DeafNation event is scheduled in southern California (often in spring), students are encouraged to attend.
ASL Local Events
The Deaf.LA website includes nearby OC ASL social events where students can practice ASL together and immerse in Deaf culture*.
*Generally, events marked “ASL Social” are appropriate for students to attend. For events marked “Deaf Night” it is recommended to reach out to the organizer to ask if hearing student attendance is appropriate.
