Hello! The Howard University American Sign Language Club is advocating for the official recognition of ASL as a foreign language by the Department of World Languages and Cultures of the College of Arts and Science at Howard University. Allowing students to receive credit that satisfies the university’s foreign language requirement when enrolled in ASL classes through the Washington Metropolitan Area Consortium.
Currently, the Department of World Languages and Culture does not recognize ASL has a foreign language due to it originating in the United States. If students were to take ASL classes through the consortium, those credits would potentially be accepted as humanities credit.
We believe that this is unacceptable. ASL should be recognized as a foreign language and students should get the appropriate course credit from the consortium. The club has been actively trying to set up a meeting with university official to present our proposal on why ASL should be recognized as a foreign language, why students should get the appropriate credit, and how it would benefit the university. In order to do this, we need your help. Please sign this petition if you support our cause!
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
June 16, 2026
16 Comments
its honestly ridiculous that howard doesnt count asl toward the language req yet. literally every other school does this now, get with the times!!
Not only ASL but there is sign language in other languages that overlaps with ASL. It’s important and we need more ppl able to communicate in all ways especially signing!
I took rigorous ASL for two years at my previous institution before transferring and was unable to receive academic credit for it. Thus, requiring me to take another foreign language again that I was not interested in. This should be addressed so future transfer students with ASL credits can continue learning a language they are passionate about !!
I completely support and think it is more common than people think. I hope it able to become an official language taught in the curriculum.
I came to Howard to pursue my career and studies however I wanted to continue learning and taking ASL which I thought would be offered here but found out it wasnt after I had already committed. Please make this an official class.
Ayo..let them join
We need this!
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Hello! The Howard University American Sign Language Club is advocating for the official recognition of ASL as a foreign language by the Department of World Languages and Cultures of the College of Arts and Science at Howard University. Allowing students to receive credit that satisfies the university’s foreign language requirement when enrolled in ASL classes through the Washington Metropolitan Area Consortium.
Currently, the Department of World Languages and Culture does not recognize ASL has a foreign language due to it originating in the United States. If students were to take ASL classes through the consortium, those credits would potentially be accepted as humanities credit.
We believe that this is unacceptable. ASL should be recognized as a foreign language and students should get the appropriate course credit from the consortium. The club has been actively trying to set up a meeting with university official to present our proposal on why ASL should be recognized as a foreign language, why students should get the appropriate credit, and how it would benefit the university. In order to do this, we need your help. Please sign this petition if you support our cause!
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
June 16, 2026
16 Comments
I am disappointed that we don’t have an ASL course at Howard University, hopefully this is something that changes that.
its honestly ridiculous that howard doesnt count asl toward the language req yet. literally every other school does this now, get with the times!!
Not only ASL but there is sign language in other languages that overlaps with ASL. It’s important and we need more ppl able to communicate in all ways especially signing!
I took rigorous ASL for two years at my previous institution before transferring and was unable to receive academic credit for it. Thus, requiring me to take another foreign language again that I was not interested in. This should be addressed so future transfer students with ASL credits can continue learning a language they are passionate about !!
I completely support and think it is more common than people think. I hope it able to become an official language taught in the curriculum.
I came to Howard to pursue my career and studies however I wanted to continue learning and taking ASL which I thought would be offered here but found out it wasnt after I had already committed. Please make this an official class.
Ayo..let them join
We need this!
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I am disappointed that we don’t have an ASL course at Howard University, hopefully this is something that changes that.