College, University, Grad School & More 🎓 | Post-Secondary Schools in ASL
In every student’s educational journey, graduation from high school marks the beginning of a new chapter — one filled with opportunities for higher education, skill development, and professional growth. In American Sign Language (ASL), the ability to communicate about these post-secondary school options is critical for Deaf students and the people who support them.
In this article, we’ll teach you the ASL signs for Post-Secondary Schools — covering not only the names of different institutions like college and university, but also the stages of progression such as enrollment and graduation. These signs are vital for parents, teachers, counselors, and students discussing life after high school in the Deaf community.
Why Learn Post-Secondary Vocabulary in ASL?
Learning signs related to higher education empowers Deaf students to visualize their futures. It also equips hearing professionals with the tools to ensure full accessibility during career counseling, campus tours, and IEP transitions. Whether you’re interpreting for a college fair or discussing college applications at home, this vocabulary is foundational.
Vocabulary Breakdown: Post-Secondary Schools in ASL
1. Community College (ASL: COMMUNITY + COLLEGE) 🏫
Community Colleges are two-year institutions offering associate degrees and transfer pathways to universities. They are more affordable and accessible than many four-year colleges.
ASL Sign: This term combines the signs for COMMUNITY and COLLEGE.
- COMMUNITY: Typically signed by making two circles with open “C” hands
- COLLEGE: A flat dominant hand circles then moves upward from the non-dominant palm
Example Sentence:
“I will attend community college first, then transfer.”
(Sign: FUTURE ME GO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THEN TRANSFER)
2. College (ASL: COLLEGE) 🎒
A College is a post-secondary school that may offer associate or bachelor’s degrees, sometimes more specialized than universities.
ASL Sign: A flat dominant hand makes a circular motion and lands on the open palm of the non-dominant hand — the same as the sign for “SCHOOL” but with an upward sweep.
Use in Context:
“I applied to three colleges.”
(Sign: ME APPLY THREE COLLEGE)
3. University (ASL: UNIVERSITY) 🎓
Universities offer a wide range of degrees including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. They often include multiple colleges or schools within them.
ASL Sign: Similar to COLLEGE, but the dominant hand uses a U-handshape and traces a small arc before landing on the palm.
Tip: The U-shape is what distinguishes this from the COLLEGE sign.
4. Graduate / Graduation / Graduated (ASL: GRADUATE) 🧑🎓
These terms all relate to completing a level of schooling.
ASL Sign: A bent “G” or “5” hand comes up from under the palm and flips over it — symbolizing rising up and completing school.
- Graduate (verb): “I will graduate next year.” → FUTURE ME GRADUATE NEXT YEAR
- Graduation (noun): “Graduation is in May.” → GRADUATION HAPPEN MAY
- Graduated (past): “He graduated already.” → HE FINISH GRADUATE
5. Enroll (ASL: ENROLL / REGISTER / JOIN) 📝
To enroll means to officially join a program or school.
ASL Sign: Often signed as JOIN or REGISTER, this uses a grabbing motion to signify entering or becoming a part of something.
Example Sentence:
“I enrolled in medical school.”
(Sign: ME ENROLL MEDICAL SCHOOL)
6. Graduate School (ASL: GRADUATE + SCHOOL) 🎓
Graduate school refers to education beyond a bachelor’s degree. This includes master’s and PhD programs.
ASL Sign: Combine GRADUATE + SCHOOL
- Emphasize the advanced nature of the program through facial expression or added context.
Example:
“She’s in graduate school now.” → NOW SHE ATTEND GRADUATE SCHOOL
7. Law School (ASL: LAW + SCHOOL) ⚖️
Law school prepares students for legal careers. It’s a graduate-level professional school.
ASL Sign: LAW (a flat dominant hand tapping vertically along a flat palm) + SCHOOL
- Optional: Use FUTURE LAWYER to clarify goals
8. Medical School (ASL: MEDICAL + SCHOOL) 🏥
Medical school trains students to become doctors and other healthcare professionals.
ASL Sign: MEDICAL (a shaking middle finger tapping center of palm) + SCHOOL
- Also used with DOCTOR, NURSE, SURGEON, depending on the specialty
Real-World Applications
These signs are used every day in contexts such as:
- College counseling sessions
- Transition planning for high school seniors
- Campus tours and ASL interpretation
- Social media posts by Deaf students about their academic journeys
- Zoom classes or admissions presentations for Deaf-friendly programs
Tips for Practicing Post-Secondary Vocabulary
- Role-play real conversations (e.g., college interviews, admissions calls)
- Create flashcards with signs and example sentences
- Pair signs with actual school logos to reinforce meaning
- Watch vlogs or interviews with Deaf college students for real-life usage
Helping Deaf Students Visualize the Future
Being able to express dreams and plans — “I want to be a doctor” or “I’m going to law school” — is a powerful part of building confidence. These signs don’t just support vocabulary; they open the door for agency, identity, and aspiration.
When adults in a Deaf student’s life know these terms, they create space for fuller, more accessible conversations about goals, passions, and possibilities.
Final Thoughts: Signing Toward the Future
Post-Secondary Schools in ASL aren’t just a list of places — they represent milestones, achievements, and future careers. Learning this vocabulary supports equity, advocacy, and inclusion for all Deaf learners navigating what comes after high school.
PostSecondarySchoolsInASL #ASLCollegeSigns #ASLInteractive #HigherEducation #DeafEd
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