OSU Becomes First Oklahoma University With Bachelor's Degree For American Sign Language

Oklahoma State University is creating new opportunities for the Deaf community.

The university approved a bachelor's degree program for American Sign Language (ASL) in August of 2021, making it the first university in the state to do so.

ASL was only offered as a minor prior to this bachelor's degree program's approval.

The creation of the ASL-focused courses was due to the work of Dr. Taylor Woodall-Greene, who had been working to make this program for years.

Woodall-Greene is hopeful that the program will encourage inclusivity.

“It is not easy for Deaf people to just learn spoken English,” Woodall-Green said.

“They are a complete group that falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act. They are an underserved group, they are a discriminated group, they've experienced oppression so their experiences are coming to light now. And I think that's driving the popularity of our courses.”

OSU's ASL degree is currently taught by 5 professors and is seeking a tenure-track professor.