Interpreter Training
AAS-T
Interpreter Training
The Interpreter Training Program is the only two-year (six quarters) associate of applied science degree programs in interpretation in Western Washington. It prepares graduates to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people using English and American Sign Language. The program has a reputation of excellence nationwide for its strong American Sign Language emphasis and for producing successful graduates with marketable skills.
The curriculum includes skills classes, seminars, and internships, as well as general education classes related to this field.
For information on related programs, see the Deaf Interpreter Training Certificate Program.
Career Opportunities
The program is designed to prepare individuals to work as interpreters in areas such as colleges, public schools or as freelance interpreters. The curriculum provides students with a background that helps them prepare to enter work in human service 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 arena in which deaf and hearing people interact.
Entrance Requirements
Curriculum for the program begins with the requirement of successful completion of six quarters of American Sign Language at Seattle Central Community College with a 2.5 or better grade in ASL 203 (ASL VI), or have the equivalent proficiency in signing. Students who transfer ASL credits from another college must take the proficiency exam. New students are accepted only in the fall of each year.
For an associate of applied science degree, 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 Office.
- Complete ASL 203 (ASL VI) with a 2.5 grade point, or demonstrate equivalent proficiency in signing.
- 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
- Tuition
- Photo ID Card (one-time fee)
- Student Activity Fee (per quarter)
- Transportation Mgmt Fee (per quarter)
- Computer Lab Fee (per quarter)
- Universal Technology Fee (per quarter)
- Audio/Visual Tapes (est. $15 per year) $30.00
- Textbook (first year) $75.00
- Textbook (second year) $30.00
- Lab Fee (each quarter) $37.90
Curriculum
| 1'st Quarter | Cr | |
| ITP 115 | SURVEY OF INTERPRETING | 3 |
| Overview of the field of interpretation. Includes history, terminology, competencies, professional ethics and environmental factors. | ||
| 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 160 | ASL TO ENGLISH INTERPRETATION I | 4 |
| Intro to interpretation from ASL to English in the consecutive mode. Application of the Gish approach to information processing. Studies dual task performance, short-term memory building, paraphrasing skills, shadowing techniques and other pre-interpretive skills. | ||
| ITP 161 | ENGLISH TO ASL INTERPRETATION I | 4 |
| Taken concurrently with ITP 160. Intro to interpretation from English to ASL in the consecutive mode. Emphasis on vocabulary development and ASL expressions. | ||
| 2'nd Quarter | Cr | |
| 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 relatExploration of how values, character, and skills in interpersonal relations are developed. Includes discussion of the applications of the RIionships appear and are developed. Discussions of athe applications of the RID Code of Ethics to different interpreting situations is incluD Code of Ethics to different interpreting situations. | ||
| ITP 162 * | ASL TO ENGLISH INTERPRETATION II | 4 |
| Continuation of ITP 160 with interpretation of increasingly complex discourse. Gradual shift from consecutive to simultaneous interpretation. | ||
| ITP 163 * | ENGLISH TO ASL INTERPRETATION II | 4 |
| Continuation of ITP 161. Increases fluency, facility and stamina, with increased difficulty of text, discourse and vocabulary from English to ASL. Increased facility with receptive and expressive finger spelling. | ||
| 3'rd Quarter | Cr | |
| 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. | ||
| ITP 164 * | ASL TO ENGLISH INTERPRETAION III | 4 |
| Continuation of ITP 162 with interpretation of increasingly complex discourse in the simultaneous mode. Demonstrate proficiency in interpreting ASL to English. | ||
| ITP 165 * | ENGLISH TO ASL INTERPRETATION III | 4 |
| Continuation of ITP 163. | ||
| 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 Quarter | Cr | |
| 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 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 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 Quarter | Cr | |
| 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. | ||
| ITP 261 * | INTERPRETING V | 4 |
| Continuation of ITP 260 with increasing complexity of discourse. | ||
| 6'th Quarter | Cr | |
| 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. | ||
| ITP 262 | TRANSLITERATION | 4 |
| Intro to transliteration. Covers contact varieties of ASL used in transliteration. Establish a foundation for transliteration. Pass/Fail grade. | ||
| Optional Electives | Cr | |
| 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| DRMA 120 | INTRODUCTION TO ACTING | 5 |
| Builds a foundation of theory and application with the broad use of improvisational techniques and movement for the actor. | ||
| Total Credits = 104 | ||
* Satisfactory performance (2.5 grade) is required in the previous interpreting class in order to continue in the program.
** Satisfactory performance required in the previous AIE class in order to continue in the program.
Note: This curriculum is under revision. Contact the division counselor for further information.
Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their course work to remain in the program.
For Further Information:
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
Maureen Wood-Mottley mawood@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.6953