Deaf Interpreter Training

Certificate

Visit the Deaf Interpreter Training Website

The Deaf Interpreter Training Certificate Program is a six-quarter program that prepares students to work as interpreters for deaf consumers with special needs and deaf-blind consumers. The curriculum includes skills classes and practicums. This program begins once a year in fall quarter.

For information on related programs, see the Interpreter Training Program.

Career Opportunities

The program is designed to prepare individuals to work as deaf interpreters in areas such as colleges, public schools or as freelance interpreters. The curriculum provides students a background that prepares them to enter work in human services areas such as vocational rehabilitation, early childhood education, and social and mental health agencies. Graduates may also find employment in theaters, libraries, companies, museums, or any other public or private arenas in which deaf and hearing people interact.

Entrance Requirements

Curriculum for the program begins with the requirement of successful completion of five quarters of American Sign Language or have equal skill level in signing. New students are accepted only in the fall of each year. The usual completion time is two years.

How To Get Started

  • Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College
  • Complete the Interpreter Training Program Student Information Form available in the Admissions or Allied Health, Business, Languages & Cultures Division Offices.
  • Complete ASL V with a 2.5 grade point average or have equivalent signing skills in ASL.
  • Meet with the Division Counselor for an interview early spring quarter. Bring transcripts and test scores with you to the interview.
    Counselor: Vicki Moseley, VMoseley@sccd.ctc.edu
  • Attend a program orientation session if possible. This may be waived for out-of-town applicants.

Estimated Training Costs

Curriculum

1'st QuarterCr
HUM 105 INTERCULTURE COMMUNICATION 5
Interdisciplinary focus on the role of languages and culture in effective intercultural communication including values, patterns, history, and attitudes that create and sustain cultures. Emphasis on skills and empathy gained from the study of diverse cultures through literature, theory and guest lecturers.
ITP 115 SURVEY OF INTERPRETING 3
Overview of the field of interpretation. Includes history, terminology, competencies, professional ethics and environmental factors.
ITP 260 INTERPRETING IV 4
Build further interpreting skills by using increasingly challenging material. Continue to increase stamina and duration of interpreting, facility with receptive and expressive finger spelling, and use of idioms. Learn appropriate feedback and self-assessment techniques.
2'nd QuarterCr
ASL 125 AMERICAN DEAF CULTURE 5
Covers discussion of Deaf people as a culture, a group of people held together by strength of culture rather than disability, Examines deaf minorities and current issues in the field.
ITP 145 ETHICS OF INTERPRETING 3
Exploration of how values, character and skills in interpersonal relationships appear and are developed. Discussions of athe applications of the RID Code of Ethics to different interpreting situations is included.
ITP 261 * INTERPRETING V 4
Continuation of ITP 260 with increasing complexity of discourse.
3'rd QuarterCr
ASL 120 INTRODUCTION TO DEAF STUDIES 5
Overview of the treatment and psychological aspects of Deafness; history and education of Deaf people; and deaf culture.
ENGL&101 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 5
(Formerly ENG 101) Intro to the writing process. Writing assignments focus on non-fiction prose, with subject matter drawn from firsthand experience and observation.
SPS 201 SURVEY OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT 5
Basic anatomy and physiology of hearing mechanisms. Covers causes and types of treatment for hearing loss, both past and present. Also includes assistive technical devices, an introduction to the measurement of hearing and a survey of the role of genetic hearing loss in regard to deafness. Lab course.
4'th QuarterCr
ITP 119 DEAF-BLIND INTERPRETING 4
Covers specialist skills necessary for Deaf-Blind interpreting. Emphasizes cultural norms and etiquette, tactile modifications of ASL, commonly used communication modes, interpreting visual information, and environmental considerations for the interpreter through interactive instruction, simulations, guided practice, blindfold experiences and guest presentations by Deaf-Blind people. Includes field work/lab..
ITP 245 * APPLIED INTERPRETING EXPERIENCE I 4
Accumulate 80 hours of experience in four areas: Supervised Experience - 10 hours; Mock Experience - 30 hours; Tutorial Experience - 20 hours; and Unclassified Experience - 20 hours.
LAN 110 COMPARATIVE LINGUISTICS: ASL AND ENGLISH 5
Intro to linguistics as applied to English and American Sign Language. Examination of phonology, morphology, syntax and language use.
5'th QuarterCr
Any 5 credit course meeting the math requirement
ITP 216 INTERPRETING SPECIALIZED SETTINGS 3
Intro to specialized settings within the field of interpretation. Covers basic vocabulary, ethical considerations and general issues involved with professional areas of interpretation, including mental health, medical, legal, educational (K-12), substance abuse programs, performance, and religious settings.
ITP 250 * APPLIED INTERPRETING EXPERIENCE II 4
Continuation of ITP 245. Apply interpreter knowledge and skills to real-life situations.
6'th QuarterCr
DRMA 112 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE THEATRE 5
Intro to artistic sign language expression and the principles of stage acting. Focuses on guided developmental processes, improvisation, scene study, technique, and a working knowledge of the character creation for the stage. Covers translating English to ASL.
ITP 217 PROFESSIONAL ENTRY PREPARATION 3
Prepares students for immediate entry into the world of professional interpreting. Includes professional certification, techniques for solving ethical and practical problems that occur in everyday interpreting, needs and requirements of potential employers, accessing referral agencies, and networking with future colleagues.
ITP 255 * APPLIED INTERPRETING EXPERIENCE III 4
Continuation of ITP 250 with same distribution of the required 80 hours.
Total Credits = 71

* Satisfactory performance (2.5 grade) is required in the previous interpreting class in order to continue to the next class.

This curriculum is under revision. Contact the division counselor for further information.

For Further Information:

Deaf Interpreter Training Certificate Program
Health and Human Services
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room BE3210
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 344-4347
TTY: (206) 344-4347
FAX: (206) 587-6337

Program Contact:
Maureen Wood-Mottley mawood@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.6953