Program Description
Prepares students to work as an entry-level American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter to facilitate and mediate communication between Deaf/hard of hearing and hearing people. Students will develop skills in both receptive and expressive American Sign Language. Students will experience a variety of learning environments, including classroom work, laboratory practice, and field placement. Students will be required to have both in-class and out-of-class experience with members of the Deaf community to further develop ASL fluency and cultural competency. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to work as an entry-level interpreter in the field or to continue their studies at a four-year institution in the area of sign language interpreting, ASL Studies, Deaf Studies, or Deaf education.
* Students are required to maintain a B or higher in all ASLS and INTP courses in order to continue in the program. Students will be required to meet with the Faculty Lead for admission into the Program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply theoretical, ethical, cultural, and practical knowledge of the interpreting field needed to pass the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters knowledge exam.
- Demonstrate major linguistic features of ASL and English and the major cultural features of D/deaf and non-deaf communities.
- Interpret effectively between English and American Sign Language.
- Distinguish different modes of interpreting/transliterating (i.e. consecutive and simultaneous) and choose the appropriate mode in a given setting/situation.
- Provide an accurate and appropriate transfer of a message from a source language into a target language with consideration for style, culture, and the linguistic needs of the consumers.
- Transliterate effectively between spoken English and a signed form of English.
For admission requirements, please refer to the Special Programs of Study section of the catalog.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
- Students must earn a grade of "B" or better in all ASLS and INTP courses in the ASL Interpreter Preparatory Program A.A.S. degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| Arts & Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| English Language Studies | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Required Electives | ||
| ASLS 124 | Introduction to Deaf Community and History (satisfies cultural competence requirement) | 3 |
| ASLS 225 | American Sign Language V 1 | 4 |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| (waived for this program) | ||
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| ASLS 226 | American Sign Language VI (Spring) | 3 |
| ASLS 230 | Deaf Culture and Oppression (Fall) | 3 |
| ASLS 232 | Introduction to the Structure of ASL | 3 |
| INTP 104 | Introduction to Interpreting | 3 |
| INTP 112 | Foundations of Interpreting | 3 |
| INTP 114 | Consecutive Interpreting | 3 |
| INTP 116 | Cognitive Processing & Translation in Interpreting (Spring) | 3 |
| INTP 212 | ASL to English Interpreting I | 3 |
| INTP 214 | English to ASL Interpreting I | 3 |
| INTP 222 | ASL to English Interpreting II | 3 |
| INTP 224 | English to ASL Interpreting II | 3 |
| INTP 228 | Interpreting Environments | 1 |
| INTP 230 | Internship Seminar & Interpreting Environments | 1 |
| INTP 250 | Practicum in ASL Interpreting (Fall) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
ASL V has prerequisites of ASL I through IV that must be completed, or demonstrated proficiency is required, for admission to this program.
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ASLS 124 | Introduction to Deaf Community and History (fulfills cultural competence requirement) | 3 |
| ASLS 225 | American Sign Language V 2 | 4 |
| INTP 104 | Introduction to Interpreting (Milestone) | 3 |
| INTP 112 | Foundations of Interpreting | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| ASLS 226 | American Sign Language VI (Spring) | 3 |
| ASLS 232 | Introduction to the Structure of ASL (Milestone) | 3 |
| INTP 114 | Consecutive Interpreting | 3 |
| INTP 116 | Cognitive Processing & Translation in Interpreting (Spring) | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3-4 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| INTP 212 | ASL to English Interpreting I (Milestone) | 3 |
| INTP 214 | English to ASL Interpreting I | 3 |
| INTP 228 | Interpreting Environments | 1 |
| ASLS 230 | Deaf Culture and Oppression (Fall) | 3 |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| INTP 222 | ASL to English Interpreting II | 3 |
| INTP 224 | English to ASL Interpreting II | 3 |
| INTP 230 | Internship Seminar & Interpreting Environments | 1 |
| Arts & Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below (if ASLS not fufilled): | 3 | |
| English Language Studies | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Credits | 13 | |
| Recommended Fifth Semester | ||
| INTP 250 | Practicum in ASL Interpreting (Fall) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |
- 1
Take this course within the first 24 credits.
- 2
ASL V has prerequisites of ASL I through IV that must be completed, or demonstrated proficiency is required, for admission to this program.
Admission into the IPP will be through application and review of the approval board.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is typically offered in the specified semester only.