American Sign Language

Courses:

ASL 1-6: (we use the signing naturally curriculum)
ASL M115: Enforcing Normalcy (cross-listed under ASL and Disability Studies)
ASL 130: Fingerspelling and Numbers

ASL classes are sequential. We recommend not taking them until you can take them in order. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT (EMAIL OR BY PHONE) LECTURER AND/OR INTERPRETER TO REQUEST A PTE NUMBER.

Please note that ASL courses completed at another institution during Winter 2019 and beyond will not transfer into UCLA as exact equivalents to our ASL courses. Students will need to take a placement exam to determine which level of ASL is appropriate for them here at UCLA. 

Lecturer:

Benjamin Lewis
benjaminlewis@ucla.edu
Office – Rolfe Hall 3300E

Jennifer Marfino
jennifermarfino@ucla.edu
Office – Rolfe Hall 3318

Interpreter:

Mariam Janvelyan
marrjann@ucla.edu
Office – Rolfe Hall 3318/3320

Placement / Exemption Exams:

The ASL Placement/Exemption Exams are meant for students with a background in ASL seeking to enroll in an intermediate-level ASL course or a language requirement waiver at UCLA. The ASL Exams are offered free to UCLA students* twice a year – once in Fall Quarter and once in Spring Quarter. Sign-ups are first come, first serve.

Payment Information:

*Non-UCLA students may register for an exam for a $100 fee. Any student (UCLA or Non-UCLA) wishing to register for an exam outside of the designated Fall and Spring exam dates must pay a $100 fee to schedule and take an exam.

If taking the exam via Zoom, you have the option to drop off your payment (cash or cashier’s check) at the UCLA Linguistics Main Office or mail it in at your own risk.

Drop-off: Please drop off your payment to the Linguistics Main Office located at UCLA Campbell Hall 3125. Our hours are Monday through Thursday 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm.

Mail-In: Please mail your payment to the below address.

UCLA
Department of Linguistics
Attn: Allie Westrup
335 Portola Plaza
3125 Campbell Hall
Box 951543, MC 154302
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1543

EXAM DATES

The Fall 2025 Exam Date has passed.

Spring 2026 Exam Date: TBD

      • Spring 2026 Registration Deadline: TBD

All other exams are by appointment only. Please email Jennifer Marfino at jennifermarfino@ucla.edu to coordinate a time.

Exams are first come, first serve. Students may only take one exam once (no repeat exams). If you miss your exam appointment, you will have to reschedule the exam and pay the fee.

PLACEMENT EXAM

Students should take the ASL Placement Exam to be placed into ASL levels 2 through 6.

If you are placed into any ASL level other than 1, you may request a PTE number to enroll in your assigned course during the enrollment period.

EXEMPTION EXAM

Students should take the ASL Exemption Exam to test out of ASL 1-3 (equivalent to 1-year proficiency) in order to waive the College foreign language requirement.

If you pass the Exemption Exam, your results will be reported to the College to waive your College foreign language requirement. Students who do not pass the Exemption Exam must start from ASL 1 if they wish to move forward with ASL courses at UCLA.

EXAM STRUCTURE

The exam consists of two parts – receptive (30 min) and expressive (30 min). For the receptive portion, students will watch a video and answer questions on a sheet of paper. For the expressive portion, students will sign with the exam administrator in an “interview” style, where they answer questions.

REGISTRATION

Fall 2025 ASL Placement/Exemption Exam Registration is now closed.

Please complete the form below to register for an ASL Placement/Exemption Exam. Completion of the form does not finalize your registration for the exam. Upon completing the form, you will receive an email from ASL Lecturers Benjamin Lewis (benjaminlewis@ucla.edu) or Jennifer Marfino (jennifermarfino@g.ucla.edu) at the latest one to two weeks prior to the exam confirming your registration and schedule for the exam. Your registration will not be final until confirmed via email. 

PAYMENT

If you are a Non-UCLA student or a UCLA student registering for an exam outside of the designated Fall and Spring exam dates, you must submit a payment of $100 via Cashier’s Check payable to “UC Regents” in order to secure your exam registration. Payment must be submitted to the exam administrator on the day of the exam for an in-person exam and at least one (1) business day in advance for an online exam. Exam results will not be released until payment is processed by the Linguistics Department. Note that the payment is non-refundable. Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice of cancellation from the scheduled exam date.

UCLA Undergraduate Sign Language Club:


Hands On

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a PTE for the ASL course I want to enroll in that is full?

We do not grant PTEs for ASL courses. If the course is full, please join the waitlist. If the waitlist is full, keep monitoring it to see if a spot opens up or attempt to get a seat the next time the course is offered.

I have been unsuccessful at acquiring a spot in ASL 1, what are my options?

For the 2025-2026 academic year, ASL 1 is offered every quarter. Please plan to enroll the following quarter. Another option is taking our ASL 8 course, which is offered every summer and lasts 8 weeks. ASL 8 is equivalent to our ASL 1, 2, and 3 so students will learn all of the material covered in those 3 courses in this 8-week intensive summer course. Students who complete ASL 8 are eligible to enroll in ASL 4 in Fall quarter, or later. Enrollment for ASL 8 opens on February 1st for UCLA students every year.

Does UCLA offer a minor or major in ASL?

At this time, we do not offer a minor or major in ASL.