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High school students looking to expand their horizons, satisfy a foreign language requirement and get a jump-start on college credit hours can do so this fall through Tennessee Tech University's new American Sign Language dual enrollment course offerings.
The program, open to all high school students across Tennessee, provides a unique opportunity to learn sign language through online courses, including American Sign Language I, beginning this fall, and American Sign Language II, set to be offered in the spring.
Courses are taught by Tech instructors and meet online asynchronously, allowing students to complete assignments at their own pace. Tech's program is also designed to eliminate the need for textbook costs, with all necessary course materials provided directly to students.
"We wanted to offer something that was unique but would also be relevant and meet a practical need," said Ted McWilliams, assistant director for admissions at Tech. "In our conversations with high school guidance counselors across the state, we saw there was significant interest in American Sign Language among their students."
McWilliams continued, "We're excited to do this in a way that brings the quality and reputation of Tennessee Tech directly to high school students; helping them earn college credit hours while still in high school and develop a valuable skill to better communicate with deaf or hard of hearing individuals - typically at zero cost to them."
Funding from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) covers the full cost of up to five dual enrollment courses for Tennessee high school students. Between six and 10 courses can be taken at a discounted cost, with TSAC covering $100 per credit hour.
McWilliams adds that, in the state of Tennessee, American Sign Language meets the criteria to satisfy public high schools and college admissions departments' foreign language requirements.
Dual enrollment students at Tech enjoy multiple benefits beyond the early exposure to a college-level education, including access to university resources such as the Marc L. Burnett Student Recreation and Fitness Center, the Angelo & Jennette Volpe Library and discounts through the Golden Eagles Perk Program. They are also exempt from the $25 application fee when they apply to Tech after their courses.
Beyond American Sign Language, Tech offers a variety of other dual enrollment options including English, French, engineering, cybersecurity, history, social sciences and others.
For more information on this program or to apply, visit the Tennessee Tech Dual Enrollment site at www.tntech.edu/dualenrollment.
Interested students and parents can also contact McWilliams directly at (931) 372-6820 or dualenrollment@tntech.edu.
