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Home Academics Programs and Majors ASL-English Interpreting

ASL-English Interpreting

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degree

A.A. in ASL-English Interpreter Preparation Program

This program provides an integrated series of coursework in American Sign Language (ASL) and ASL-English interpretation to prepare students for entry-level positions. The series provides academic coursework based on a Deaf-centered framework that encourages students to embrace an empowered collaboration with Deaf people. A foundation in ASL discourse and interpretation is established through theoretical models. Emphasis is on the practical application of these models and knowledge in the areas of human relations, language skills, interpreting skills, cultural competence, service learning, and professionalism.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
DEAF 318 American Sign Language V 4
DEAF 352 Introduction to American Deaf Education 3
DEAF 355 Audism and Inequality of the Deaf 3
DEAF 370 Linguistics of American Sign Language 3
INTRP 300 Ethics and Professional Standards of Interpreting 3
INTRP 301 Discourse Analysis & Translation 4
INTRP 303 Orientation to the Interpreting Profession 3
INTRP 305 Consecutive Interpreting from ASL 3
INTRP 307 Consecutive Interpreting from English 3
INTRP 310 Introduction to DeafBlind Interpreting 0.5
INTRP 314 Introduction to Multicultural Communication 0.5
INTRP 320 Simultaneous Interpreting 4
INTRP 325 Transliteration 4
INTRP 350 Service Learning for Interpreters 2
INTRP 352 Mock Interpreting I 1
INTRP 354 Mock Interpreting II 1
INTRP 356 Fieldwork in Interpretation 5
A minimum of 4 units from the following: 4
INTRP 312 Introduction to Oral Transmission (0.5)
INTRP 330 Introduction to Educational Interpreting, K-12 (1)
INTRP 332 Introduction to Educational Interpreting, Post Secondary (1)
INTRP 334 Introduction to Medical Interpreting (1)
INTRP 336 Introduction to Performing Arts Interpreting (0.5)
INTRP 338 Introduction to Social Services and Employment Interpreting (1)
INTRP 340 Introduction to Relay Interpreting (0.5)
INTRP 342 Introduction to Religious Interpreting (0.5)
INTRP 344 Introduction to Working in Deaf/Hearing Interpreter Teams (1)
INTRP 349 Signing for Dependency Situations (0.5)
Total Units: 51

The ASL-English Interpreter Preparation Program Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • At the time of application to the program, provide evidence of one of the following: a) Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States; b) General Educational Development (GED) Test; c) California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE); d) A high school diploma from a school outside the United States with transcripts evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved independent agency. Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis; e) An Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degree or higher from a regionally accredited college; f) College attended outside the United States with transcripts evaluated by a NACES approved independent agency, demonstrating A.A./A.S. degree or higher. Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  • Completion of DEAF 316: American Sign Language IV or the equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Completion of DEAF 351: Introduction to American Deaf Culture or the equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better.
  • A completed pre-enrollment application.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

  • Pre-enrollment applications and deadlines for the ASL-English Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) are available from the Humanities Division, the coordinator of the IPP or at the ARC IPP website. The Interpreter Preparation Program currently accepts students once per year for the Fall semester which begins in August. Applications for the Fall semester are available by February 15th and the deadline to submit the application is by the second Friday in April.
  • Only qualified applicants who meet the educational requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program. Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
  • Upon completion and acceptance of the pre-enrollment application, students will participate in an interview/screening process conducted by the Interpreter Preparation Program. Should the number of qualified applicants exceed available space in the program, selection will be based on the rankings from the interview/screening process.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • discuss and apply knowledge of linguistic, cross-cultural, and interpretation theories.
  • demonstrate communicative competency in English and in ASL through effective communication in a variety of settings with Deaf and hearing participants of varying age, gender, and ethnicity.
  • appraise, identify, and apply personal, professional, and ethical decisions in a manner consistent with theoretical models and standard professional practices that align in service with the goal of the setting and Deaf and hearing participants.
  • demonstrate interpersonal competencies that foster effective communication and productive collaboration with colleagues, Deaf and hearing consumers, employers, and team members in an interpreting context.
  • formulate effective interpretations both consecutively and simultaneously following a practice profession framework.
  • develop an on-going professional action plan integrating interactions with Deaf related organizations, connections with interpreter employers, and the implications of certification on the provision of interpreting.

Career Information

American Sign Language-English interpreters are in demand locally, regionally, and nationally. A qualified American Sign Language-English interpreter enjoys a rewarding, highly flexible career. This field is expanding; growth in the job market is projected.

Certificate of Achievement

ASL-English Interpreter Preparation Program Certificate

This program provides an integrated series of coursework in American Sign Language (ASL) and ASL-English interpretation to prepare students for entry-level positions. The series provides academic coursework based on a Deaf-centered framework that encourages students to embrace an empowered collaboration with Deaf people. A foundation in ASL discourse and interpretation is established through theoretical models. Emphasis is on the practical application of these models and knowledge in the areas of human relations, language skills, interpreting skills, cultural competence, service learning, and professionalism.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
DEAF 318 American Sign Language V 4
DEAF 352 Introduction to American Deaf Education 3
DEAF 355 Audism and Inequality of the Deaf 3
DEAF 370 Linguistics of American Sign Language 3
INTRP 300 Ethics and Professional Standards of Interpreting 3
INTRP 301 Discourse Analysis & Translation 4
INTRP 303 Orientation to the Interpreting Profession 3
INTRP 305 Consecutive Interpreting from ASL 3
INTRP 307 Consecutive Interpreting from English 3
INTRP 310 Introduction to DeafBlind Interpreting 0.5
INTRP 314 Introduction to Multicultural Communication 0.5
INTRP 320 Simultaneous Interpreting 4
INTRP 325 Transliteration 1
INTRP 350 Service Learning for Interpreters 2
INTRP 352 Mock Interpreting I 1
INTRP 354 Mock Interpreting II 1
INTRP 356 Fieldwork in Interpretation 5
A minimum of 4 units from the following: 4
INTRP 312 Introduction to Oral Transmission (0.5)
INTRP 330 Introduction to Educational Interpreting, K-12 (1)
INTRP 332 Introduction to Educational Interpreting, Post Secondary (1)
INTRP 334 Introduction to Medical Interpreting (1)
INTRP 336 Introduction to Performing Arts Interpreting (0.5)
INTRP 338 Introduction to Social Services and Employment Interpreting (1)
INTRP 340 Introduction to Relay Interpreting (0.5)
INTRP 342 Introduction to Religious Interpreting (0.5)
INTRP 344 Introduction to Working in Deaf/Hearing Interpreter Teams (1)
INTRP 349 Signing for Dependency Situations (0.5)
Total Units: 48

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Successful completion of one of the following: a) Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States; b) General Educational Development (GED) Test; c) California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) prior to time of application; d) An Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degree or higher from a regionally accredited college; e) A high school diploma from a school outside the United States with transcripts evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved independent agency. Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis; f) College attended outside the United States with transcripts evaluated by a NACES approved independent agency, demonstrating A.A./A.S. degree or higher. Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  • Completion of DEAF 316: American Sign Language IV or the equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Completion of DEAF 351: Introduction to American Deaf Culture or the equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better.
  • A completed pre-enrollment application.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

  • Pre-enrollment applications and deadlines for the ASL-English Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) are available from the Humanities Division, the coordinator of the IPP or at the ARC IPP website. The Interpreter Preparation Program currently accepts students once per year for the Fall semester which begins in August. Applications for the Fall semester are available by February 15th and the deadline to submit the application is by the second Friday in April.
  • Only qualified applicants who meet the educational requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program. Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
  • Upon completion and acceptance of the pre-enrollment application, students will participate in an interview/screening process conducted by the Interpreter Preparation Program. Should the number of qualified applicants exceed available space in the program, selection will be based on the rankings from the interview/screening process.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • discuss and apply knowledge of linguistic, cross-cultural, and interpretation theories.
  • demonstrate communicative competency in English and in ASL through effective communication in a variety of settings with Deaf and hearing participants of varying age, gender, and ethnicity.
  • appraise, identify, and apply personal, professional, and ethical decisions in a manner consistent with theoretical models and standard professional practices that align in service with the goal of the setting and Deaf and hearing participants.
  • demonstrate interpersonal competencies that foster effective communication and productive collaboration with colleagues, Deaf and hearing participants, employers, and team members in an interpreting context.
  • formulate effective interpretations both consecutively and simultaneously following a practice profession framework.
  • develop an on-going professional action plan integrating interactions with Deaf related organizations, connections with interpreter employers, and the implications of certification on the provision of interpreting.

Career Information

American Sign Language-English interpreters are in demand locally, regionally, and nationally. A qualified American Sign Language/English interpreter enjoys a rewarding, highly flexible career. This field is expanding; growth in the job market is projected.

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