McDaniel offers new majors in American Sign Language and International Business

McDaniel recently launched two new majors offering expanded opportunities to students interested in American Sign Language (ASL) and International Business. Earlier in the year, eight majors were added, including Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Criminal Justice, Health Sciences, Marketing, and Writing and Publishing.

McDaniel’s major and minor in ASL Studies features a variety of courses related to the language, culture, and literature of Deaf people in the U.S. and Canada. Students may immerse in the language and culture of Deaf people, including options to be a visiting student for a semester at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and spending a Jan Term in an ASL environment such as the National Deaf School of the Dominican Republic and a private school serving Deaf students with learning disabilities and behavior issues.

“We are thrilled to be offering the first B.A. in American Sign Language in the state of Maryland.” - Dean of the Faculty Wendy Morris

The popularity of McDaniel’s ASL minor clearly demonstrated students’ enthusiasm for deepening their knowledge in the field, prompting the decision to expand to a major, according to Dean of the Faculty Wendy Morris.

“We are thrilled to be offering the first B.A. in American Sign Language in the state of Maryland,” says Morris. “With a B.A. degree in ASL, our graduates will develop an understanding of Deaf culture and the ASL skills needed to support, work with, and be allies of the Deaf community in various ways.”

Graduates might choose to work with Deaf students as para-educators or pursue graduate work to support the Deaf community in different fields including speech and language pathology, teaching, interpreting, social work, mental health, and Deaf and hearing linguistics, Morris says.

McDaniel offers a nationally recognized graduate program in Deaf Education for students pursuing a career in teaching Deaf students. The ASL major and minor provide a critical foundation for the graduate degree and include courses that satisfy prerequisites for Deaf Education. Most of the courses are taught in ASL and include International Perspectives on Sign Languages and Deaf Culture, Linguistics of American Sign Language, and Dominican Republic and the Educational Life Experiences of the Deaf.

The future is now for students studying International Business. The world has never been more connected. In any given day, business executives in Baltimore could be on video calls with clients and colleagues in Asia, Europe, and South America. Though the languages and cultures may differ, money talks and moves the global economy forward.

“Given the globalized nature of the world in which we live, we wanted to develop a major which will prepare our graduates for international business opportunities,” - Dean of the Faculty Wendy Morris

Through that common language of business, the successful entrepreneurs of the future will need to understand the workings of and the roles played by international trade, comparative advantage, tariffs, subsidies, cartels, energy production, and climate change.

“Given the globalized nature of the world in which we live, we wanted to develop a major which will prepare our graduates for international business opportunities,” says Morris. “Our graduates will benefit greatly from an enhanced knowledge of the international economic, political, and cultural environments in which businesses operate.”

Special opportunities to become a Global Fellow or study abroad at McDaniel Europe in Budapest enhance the international business student’s coursework, which includes International Finance, Global Markets and Marketing, and The Intercultural Workplace.

Read more:

American Sign Language (ASL) Studies https://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/departments/asl-studies-deaf-education/american-sign-language-asl-studies

International Businesshttps://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/economics-business-administration/international-business