About the Honor Society
Welcome to our home page for the ASLHS - FSU Chapter. Here, you can find information about the organization and additional opportunities of interest.
The ASLHS provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their commitment to studying American Sign Language and earn special recognition for doing so. Students who meet nationally-established requirements alongside FSU’s specific requirements are recognized with induction into the National ASL Honor Society upon their graduation.
Students interested in pursuing Honors will be under the direction of Dr. Kristen Guynes.
Only upon graduation and having completed the ASL Honors requirements are students inducted into the National ASL Honor Society.
- Please be sure to accurately indicate this on resumes, applications, and intent letters.
- National American Sign Language Honor Society – Induction anticipated upon graduation
Students must meet the requirements set in place during their specific graduation year. The ASL Honors program is designed to recognize those students who have truly dedicated themselves beyond the classroom. Due to classroom space constraints and a finite number of opportunities, admittance into the classes, including Application of Research and Deaf Culture, have capacities. Likewise, acceptance into the volunteer program is competitive, based on academic performance, signing skills, professional demeanor and the number/types of placements available each semester.
The $30 fee (only upon approval of your Honors application) covers graduation materials (medal and pin), shipping, and the annual chapter fee.
For Spring 2025 Graduation (Updated April 22, 2024)
Requirements to be inducted into the National ASL Honor Society and achieve the Alice Cogswell Medal:
- Completion of ASL 1-3 at FSU with B or better
- Completion of Deaf Culture (ASL 2510) or "ASL 4" (Currently Under SPA 4905; Independent Studies) with B or better
- Minimum of 2 ASL volunteer placements and completion of SPA 3801 for at least 2 credits (may be taken concurrently, such as facilitating for two labs, or serving as a lab facilitator and an outreach volunteer in the same semester)
- If both volunteer assignments are on campus (such as ASL Lab Facilitator), an additional ~5 hour Deaf community service project will be required. It is each student's responsibility to contact Dr. Kristen Guynes to make arrangements for the possibility of a service project during the first week of class.
- Overall GPA of 3.5
- ASL GPA of 3.5
Requirements to be inducted into the National ASL Honor Society and achieve the Laurent Clerc Medal with Distinguished Honors:
- All requirements for the traditional honors (above), plus:
- Completion of both Deaf Culture (ASL 2510) and "ASL 4" (Currently Under SPA 4905; Independent Studies)
- Volunteer experiences must span at least 2 semesters
- One volunteer experience must be in the Educational Outreach
Apply for ASL Honors during your last semester of meeting the requirements prior to graduation. For Spring graduation, applications and payment are due at 5pm the first Friday in March. If graduating in December, please contact Dr.K no later than October to see if medals are available.
Official Pledge of the American Sign Language Honor Society
As a student of ASL, I understand that language can be a powerful connection between peoples of different cultures and backgrounds, bringing them together. Henceforth, I am proud to commit to being a steadfast ally of the Deaf community. I pledge to encourage Deaf and Hearing peoples to come together in unity throughout the world. Lastly, I will reflect the ideals of the American Sign Language Honor Society in scholarship, community service, and personal excellence.