Certification Levels
Boost your employment prospects and professional credibility in the field of ASL studies with the only national certification in American Sign Language teaching.
ASLTA Certification ensures that teachers possess the skills and knowledge to teach ASL and the culture of the US Deaf community.
ASLTA promotes and rewards professional growth via professional development, networking and opportunity.
Overview
New Certification Applicants
Certified Level
FOR PORTFOLIO OF TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Candidates need to submit:
1. Teaching Philosophy Video (2 minutes) which includes:
- Teaching Methods
- Multiple teaching strategies
- Examples of how inclusive classroom practices are conducted
2. Teaching Demonstration/Lesson Plan/Materials Video (10 minutes) for a beginning or an intermediate level course which includes:
- Teaching Demonstration
Grammatical/linguistic component | Cultural Component | Evidence of Multiple teaching strategies | Use of communication behaviors, classroom layout and other ASLCentric classroom techniques | Creative use of Technology - Written Lesson Plan
Vocabulary/semantics | Activities | SLOs/Outcomes/Objectives - Materials
All materials for the lesson must be included and the lesson must be the same as the one being demonstrated
3. Assessment Tools/Materials (Video and Written)
- An example of an assignment and any grading materials for the assignment
- Examples of how inclusive classroom practices are conducted
- An example of a quiz and any grading material for the quiz
- An example of an exam and any grading material for the quiz
- Video (4 minutes) should explain how each of these are used and any objectives or measured by each assessment tool. Overall course goals should be explained as well.
4. Explanation of Advocacy situation (scenario will be provided):
Shows evidence of critical thinking skills | Utilizes appropriate resources | Cites relevant research.
5. Professional Development Video (3 minutes)
Assessment of personal growth | Recognition of local and national resources available for Professional Growth | Goals to focus on for development | Plan to accomplish specific goals.
FOR THE DOCUMENTATION OF EXPERIENCE
Candidates need to submit:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) which includes 4 parts:
- Educational background
- Teaching background
- Professional Development evidence & hours
- Deaf Community service
2. Transcripts/Degrees (Must have BA or higher)
3. ASLPI score of 3+ or higher, SLPI: ASL rating of Advanced or higher or other proficiency interviews that may be approved in the future
FOR REQUIRED COURSEWORK, CANDIDATES MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE FOLLOWING COURSEWORK:
(3 CREDIT HOURS EACH):
- ASL Literature
- ASL Linguistics
- Deaf Culture/Deaf Community
Candidates without formal coursework evidence can be interviewed to determine if a candidate has sufficient knowledge of the specific field in lieu of coursework. Each course not completed entails a separate interview. Interviews will be at additional cost to the candidate.
Master Level
FOR PORTFOLIO TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Candidates need to submit:
1. Teaching Philosophy Video (2 minutes) which includes:
- Teaching Methods
- Evidence of how you use multiple teaching strategies
- Examples of how inclusive classroom practices are conducted
2. Syllabus developed for an advanced (3 year or higher course) or specialized level course which was developed by the candidate.
3. Teaching Demonstration/Lesson Plan/Materials Video (10 minutes) for an advanced or specialized level course which includes:
- Teaching Demonstration
Grammatical/linguistic component | Cultural Component | Evidence of Multiple teaching strategies | Use of communication behaviors, classroom layout and other ASLCentric classroom techniques | Creative use of Technology - Written Lesson Plan
Vocabulary/semantics | Activities | SLOs/Outcomes/Objectives - Materials
All materials for the lesson must be included and the lesson must be the same as the one being demonstrated
4. Assessment Tools/Materials (Video and Written)
- An example of an assignment and any grading materials for the assignment
- An example of a quiz and any grading material for the quiz
- An example of an exam and any grading material for the quiz
- Video (4 minutes) should explain how each of these are used and any objectives or goals measured by each assessment tool. Overall course goals should be explained as well.
5. Evidence of contribution to the field such as:
Publications | Conference presentations | Mentoring | Service on Board of ASL related organization | Community advocacy | ASL/Deaf Community service
6. Explanation of Advocacy situation (scenario will be provided)
Shows evidence of critical thinking skills | Utilizes appropriate resources | Cites relevant research
7. Select a topic from Teaching Methods related to ASL or Foreign Languages, Assessment, Curriculum Development OR Language Acquisition and develop a mini-presentation of about 30 minutes which includes:
English Abstract (200 words) and ASL Abstract (2 minutes)| Outline or PowerPoint | Bibliography of video or written resources
FOR THE DOCUMENTATION OF EXPERIENCE
Candidates need to submit:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) which includes 4 parts:
Educational background|Teaching background | Professional Development evidence & hours | Deaf Community service
2. Transcripts/Degrees (Must have BA or higher)
3. ASLPI score of 4 or higher, SLPI: ASL rating of Advanced Plus or higher or other proficiency interviews that may be approved in the future
FOR REQUIRED COURSEWORK, CANDIDATES MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE FOLLOWING COURSEWORK:
(3 CREDIT HOURS EACH):
- ASL Literature
- ASL Linguistics
- Deaf Culture/Deaf Community
- Teaching Methods (ASL or Foreign Language)
- Assessment Tools
- Curriculum Development OR Language Acquisition
Renewal Information
Either level attained can be permanent with renewal and documentation of continued professional development. Candidates who attain Master certification will renew every 8 years with a recording of evidence of contribution to the field every year during membership renewal (ie: service- committee, board; research- presentations, publications; teaching – mentoring). ASLTA related contribution is strongly recommended for our Master certificate holders. Candidates are encouraged to obtain 10 hours of service a year. Compiling documentation annually will help members keep up with their certifications.
Candidates who attain Certified level status will renew every 4 years with 40 hours of professional development, contributions etc. To further the mission of ASLTA that all teachers will be competent in ASL as well as social justice, all certified renewals must include at least 5 hours of training related to social justice, diversity or ethnic studies. Candidates will be reminded every year when they pay their dues to compile 10 hours of documentation to help build their portfolio. (This reminder will be a courtesy reminder and not be monitored or enforced.)
All candidates for certification must be members in good standing at the Associate or Certified member of ASLTA. Candidates attaining certification at either the Certified or Master level must maintain membership in ASLTA annually in order to hold valid certification. Failure to pay annual dues will result in forfeiture of certification. Penalties may apply to late payment of annual dues.
For candidates who are not able to meet 40 hours of evidence of contribution to the field or professional development when renewing four years later may apply for an extension. Only 1 extension lasting one year will be allowed. Extensions require the certificate holder to be a member in good standing then an additional fee will be applied to extend the current certification in order to allow the member to meet the professional development requirements. Failure to meet the professional development requirements or maintain membership in ASLTA on an annual basis will result in forfeiting certification.
Master Certificate holders may apply for renewal every 8 years. This process will require the candidate to list 8 years of contributions to the field which include:
-
- Publications
- Conference presentations
- Mentoring
- Service on Board of ASL related organization
- Community advocacy
- ASL/Deaf Community service
At least 1 national level contribution related to ASL is expected every 2 years. This can be a form of support or a presentation at ASLTA, CIT, ASLRT or on an international level such as WFD, TISLR, WASLI to name a few. This field depends on successful collaboration and sharing with our Master Certified teachers.
Current Certification Holders
Qualified
Professional
Renewal Information
Either level attained can be permanent with renewal and documentation of continued professional development. Candidates who attain Master certification will renew every 8 years with a recording of evidence of contribution to the field every year during membership renewal (ie: service- committee, board; research- presentations, publications; teaching – mentoring). ASLTA related contribution is strongly recommended for our Master certificate holders. Candidates are encouraged to obtain 10 hours of service a year. Compiling documentation annually will help members keep up with their certifications.
Candidates who attain Certified level status will renew every 4 years with 40 hours of professional development, contributions etc. To further the mission of ASLTA that all teachers will be competent in ASL as well as social justice, all certified renewals must include at least 5 hours of training related to social justice, diversity or ethnic studies. Candidates will be reminded every year when they pay their dues to compile 10 hours of documentation to help build their portfolio. (This reminder will be a courtesy reminder and not be monitored or enforced.)
All candidates for certification must be members in good standing at the Associate or Certified member of ASLTA. Candidates attaining certification at either the Certified or Master level must maintain membership in ASLTA annually in order to hold valid certification. Failure to pay annual dues will result in forfeiture of certification. Penalties may apply to late payment of annual dues.
For candidates who are not able to meet 40 hours of evidence of contribution to the field or professional development when renewing four years later may apply for an extension. Only 1 extension lasting one year will be allowed. Extensions require the certificate holder to be a member in good standing then an additional fee will be applied to extend the current certification in order to allow the member to meet the professional development requirements. Failure to meet the professional development requirements or maintain membership in ASLTA on an annual basis will result in forfeiting certification.
Master Certificate holders may apply for renewal every 8 years. This process will require the candidate to list 8 years of contributions to the field which include:
-
- Publications
- Conference presentations
- Mentoring
- Service on Board of ASL related organization
- Community advocacy
- ASL/Deaf Community service
At least 1 national level contribution related to ASL is expected every 2 years. This can be a form of support or a presentation at ASLTA, CIT, ASLRT or on an international level such as WFD, TISLR, WASLI to name a few. This field depends on successful collaboration and sharing with our Master Certified teachers.
Have questions about ASLTA certification? Please contact the Evaluation Office (evaluationoffice@aslta.org)