Students just beginning their interpreter studies may be interested in the associate degree program in interpreter training from Pima Community College. The two-year program includes topics such as introduction to the deaf community, linguistics of American Sign Language, interpreting, beginning sign to voice, educational interpreting/transliterating, advanced fingerspelling and numbers, etymology and American Sign Language literature. Students also complete general core requirements such as reading, critical thinking, biological sciences, introduction to computers and college mathematics.
Applicants must have a high school diploma, be able to demonstrate reading competency and have already completed or be currently enrolled in writing and sign language courses. An interview with an interpretation faculty member is also required. Students who wish to further their education may be able to transfer to a bachelor's program at Northern Arizona University.
Pima Community College
4905 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85709-1010
520-206-4500
pima.edu
Ohlone College offers an Interpreter Preparation Program through its Center for Deaf Studies. Students may complete either a certificate (one year) or associate degree (two years), with course work in interpreting as a career, introduction to interpreting for people who are deaf/blind, multicultural issues in interpreting, oral facilitation, telephone and video relay interpreting, phantom interpreting and interpreting ethics and decision making. Students in the associate program complete a semester-long internship with a certified interpreter from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf to gain real-world experience. Many students attending Ohlone are deaf and the deaf community within the local area of Fremont gives students a great opportunity to practice their skills.
Students interested in either program must have a letter of interest and three letters of recommendation. Candidates must have already completed a year of college level work with a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.7.
Ohlone College
43600 Mission Boulevard
Fremont, CA 94539-5847
510-659-6000
ohlone.edu
Earn an associate degree in American Sign Language and English interpreting from the Community College of Philadelphia. Classes include fingerspelling, intermediate American Sign Language, structure of American Sign Language, American deaf culture, transliterating, interpreting in specialized settings, introduction to the American deaf community and introduction to the field of American Sign Language. Students also complete general education classes including English composition, acting, social science and math. Students gain hands-on experience working in the college's interpretation laboratory.
Applicants must have a high school diploma. Students with American Sign Language experience may be able to receive credit for two preliminary courses.
Community College of Philadelphia
1700 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-751-8010
ccp.edu