The Interpreter Education curriculum prepares individuals to work as entry-level Sign Language Interpreters who will provide communication access in interview and interactive settings. In addition, this curriculum provides in-service training for working interpreters who want to upgrade their skills.
Coursework includes the acquisition of American Sign Language (ASL): grammar, structure, and sociolinguistic properties, cognitive processes associated with interpretation between ASL and English; the structure and character of the deaf community; and acquisition of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills.
Entry-level jobs for para-professional interpreters are available in educational systems or a variety of community settings. Individuals may choose from part-time, full-time, or self-employment/free-lance positions, or apply language skills to other human service related areas.
Note: For all ASL and IPP courses required prior to the last semester of the program, students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better. Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in all required ASL, IPP, and WBL courses to graduate.
Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:
- Students will be able to express themselves correctly, fluently, and clearly in the target or source language (English or ASL).
- Students will be able to demonstrate legal, moral, and ethical responsibilities of the Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) as it relates to professional practice in a variety of settings.
- Students will be able to mediate cultural differences between Deaf and Hearing participants.
- Students will be able to interpret correctly, fluently, and clearly in the target language (English or ASL).
- Students will be able to understand power dynamics in interpreting situations and respond by supporting the Deaf Community through allyship and empowerment.
A.A.S. in Interpreter Education (A55300)
Program of Study
| Fall Semester | |||
| ACA-111 | College Student Success | 1 | |
| ASL-111 | Elementary ASL I | 3 | |
| ASL-181 | ASL Lab 1 | 1 | |
| COM-231 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | |
| IPP-112 | Comparative Cultures | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| ASL-112 | Elementary ASL II | 3 | |
| ASL-182 | ASL Lab 2 | 1 | |
| IPP-111 | Introduction to Interpretation | 3 | |
| IPP-130 | Analytical Skills for Interpreting | 3 | |
| MAT-143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| ## | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| ASL-211 | Intermediate ASL I | 3 | |
| ASL-250 | Linguistics of ASL | 3 | |
| ASL-281 | ASL Lab 3 | 1 | |
| IPP-152 | ASL/English Translation | 3 | |
| # | Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | |
| Fall Semester | |||
| ASL-212 | Intermediate ASL II | 3 | |
| ASL-252 | ASL Classifiers (8 week course offering) | 1 | |
| ASL-253 | ASL Non-Manual Signals (8 week course offering) | 1 | |
| IPP-153 | Introduction to Discourse Analysis | 3 | |
| IPP-161 | Consecutive Interpreting | 5 | |
| IPP-245 | Educational Interpreting Issues | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| ASL-221 | Advanced ASL I | 3 | |
| IPP-221 | Simultaneous Interpreting I | 5 | |
| IPP-224 | ASL to English Interpretation | 2 | |
| WBL-111 | Work-Based Learning I | 1 | |
| WBL-115 | Work-Based Learning Seminar I | 1 |
# Social/Behavioral Science Electives – POL 120, PSY 150, SOC 210
## Humanities/Fine Arts Electives – COM 120, HUM 115, PHI 215, PHI 240
NOTE: Students are required to take ACA 111 in their first semester.
NOTE: ASL 181, ASL 182, & ASL 281 are required for Interpreter Education degree- and certificate-seeking students.
Deaf Studies Option Certificate (C55300)
Program of Study
The Deaf Studies Certificate prepares students for basic communication with people who use sign language to communicate. NOTE: The A.A.S. Degree in Interpreter Education is required if you wish to become a sign language interpreter.
| ASL-111 | Elementary ASL I | 3 | |
| ASL-112 | Elementary ASL II | 3 | |
| ASL-181 | ASL Lab 1 | 1 | |
| ASL-182 | ASL Lab 2 | 1 | |
| ASL-211 | Intermediate ASL I | 3 | |
| ASL-281 | ASL Lab 3 | 1 | |
| IPP-112 | Comparative Cultures | 3 |
Students entering or applying to enter certain programs of study should be aware that completion of the program, licensure, certification, and/or employment may be affected if they have a prior criminal record. Programs where a student’s prior criminal record may come into question include, but are not limited to: Health Sciences programs, Basic Law Enforcement Training, Criminal Justice Technology, Early Childhood Education, Paralegal Technology, and Emergency Medical Services.
Community agencies that provide opportunities for sponsorship, practicums, internships, or clinical experience may require criminal background checks. If the participating agency will not accept the student because of a criminal record, the student may be unable to continue in the program. Students completing certain programs of study may be prohibited from obtaining credentials 46 or licenses due to a criminal record. In such cases, the actual violation and the length of time since that violation may be a deciding factor. In some cases, employers may be required by law to perform a criminal background check prior to employment. The College conducts pre-employment criminal background checks on all eligible applicants for Federal Work Study positions.
Graduates from the Interpreter Education Program are required to pass specific, skill-based assessments to qualify for their Provisional Interpreting License or to be hired as a staff interpreter in the NC public school system. Please see https://ncitlb.org/ for more information about the licensure requirements for community interpreters or https://www.dpi.nc.gov/220707non-certified-public-school-employees-class-specificationspdf/open page 30 of the document for specific requirements for educational interpreters.
Out-of-state students seeking to enroll in a program or course leading to professional licensure or certification should contact Wes Hill, Dean of Human Services & Public Safety to discuss enrollment and professional licensure options available. Students may view the Professional Licensure information page to learn more.
Earn College Credit in High School
A CCP pathway for high school juniors and seniors is available for this program. Visit the Career and College Promise page for more information.
The Career and College Promise (CCP) Program provides opportunities for eligible high school students to start college early, where courses can count for dual credit (credit in the high school and college at the same time), all TUITION-FREE! CCP students accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that provide entry-level job skills and/or lead to college transfer credit.
Program Coordinator - Interpreter Education
Department: Faculty
Phone: (252) 281-2823 Relay Service
Email: gleon@wilsoncc.edu
Office: D207a
Dean of Human Services & Public Safety
Department: Faculty
Phone: (252) 246-1290
Email: whill@wilsoncc.edu
Office: B106