Professional Level Certification

Certified teachers have met the requirements according to standards established by the ASLTA. The teacher, certified at the Professional level, has demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and skills in teaching ASL. These include knowledge of curriculum development, evaluation, linguistics, and theoretical and contemporary issues in the field of ASL teaching. Professional certification is valid for eight years and may be renewed by meeting Renewal requirements.

Candidates for Professional certification must prepare and submit to the Evaluation Committee Chairperson the following documentation, and pass the ASLTA Evaluation Interview.

1. A copy of your valid Qualified level certification.
2. A Portfolio which includes:
   • Documentation of 240 hours of paid ASL or related teaching experience beyond those hours required for the Qualified Certificate (total of 480 hours for Qualified & Professional). Up to half (240 of the 480 hours) may be teaching experience in a related area (Interpreter Education, Education of Deaf Students, Deaf Studies).
   • Documentation of 150 hours of course work, training workshops in second language teaching and ASL teaching theory and methodology. The 150 hours are in addition to those hours required for the Qualified Certificate (total of 300 hours for Qualified & Professional).
   • Documentation (copy of degree or transcripts) that shows you have earned a Bachelors or higher degree or are an experienced teacher having 15 or more years of ASL teaching experience.
3. Successful completion of the ASLTA Interview of the Professional certification evaluation.

How your Portfolio and Interview will be evaluated:

1. Your Portfolio documentation will be evaluated to ensure that you meet the minimum additional standards of professional experience and training. The evaluation committee chairperson may request you to submit clarification and/or additional information.
2. During your Interview, a panel of ASLTA evaluators will ask you a series of questions regarding your skills and knowledge of ASL and second language teaching practices, evaulation techniques, curriculum development, and ASL teaching as a profession. You may be asked to view videotapes of students learning ASL and comment on the students' areas of strength and weakness in using ASL.
3. The evaluators will individually rate your responses based on their knowledge of the field, current practices and teaching standards.
4. The primary purpose of the interview is to assess your skills and knowledge and ability to respond in a professional manner. The interview will be conducted in ASL.
5. In the report of your interview, in certain cases you may be asked to submit additional information, write a paper addressing certain aspects of teaching or submit a videotape demonstrating certain skills and/or knowledge.