Palomar College’s ASL-English Translation & Interpreting Studies program is a two-year course of study that prepares students to pursue employment as American Sign Language/English interpreters. Interpreting students work to develop competency in ASL and refine their English skills for the purpose of interpreting. In addition, they develop an understanding of Deaf culture and history. Students learn about ethics, decision-making processes, and professionalism. The interpreter’s role is to facilitate communication between users of American Sign Language and English while maintaining sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics.
Federal legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that interpreters be provided to Deaf and hard of hearing people for public events, federally-funded institutions, and privately-owned businesses. As a result, there is a nation wide demand for qualified interpreters. The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) mandates interpreters in educational settings. As a result of these acts and other legislation, job opportunities are abundant.
To earn an A.S. degree or certificate, students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each of the required program courses.
Preparation Courses (for students not already competent in signing):
- ASL 100 – American Sign Language I – 4 Units
- ASL 101 – American Sign Language II – 4 Units
- ASL 205 – American Sign Language III – 4 Units
- ASL 206 – American Sign Language IV – 4 Units
- ASL 105 – Fingerspelling and Number Systems – 3 Units
Required Courses:
Admission to the ASL-English Translation & Interpreting Studies program requires basic proficiency in American Sign Language.
- ASL 110 – Awareness of Deaf Culture – 3 Units
- ASL 115 (S) – Perspectives on Deafness – 3 Units
- ASL 210 (F) – Discourse Analysis – 4 Units
- ASL 210L (F) – Discourse Analysis Lab – 1 Unit
- ASL 211 (S) – Interpreting II – 4 Units
- ASL 211L (S) – Interpreting II Lab – 1 Unit
- ASL 215 (F) – Interpreting III – 4 Units
- ASL 215L (F) – Interpreting III Lab – 1 Unit
- ASL 216 (S) – Interpreting IV – 4 Units
- ASL 216L (S) – Interpreting IV Lab – 1 Unit
- ASL 208 (F) – Interpreting as a Profession – 3 Units
- ASL 220 (S) – Specialized Settings of Interpreting – 3 Units
- ASL 298 (S) – Fieldwork in Interpreting – 1.5 Units
- ENG 100 – English Composition – 4 Units
Total Units – 52.5 Units
(F) – Offered Fall Only
(S) – Offered Spring Only
All students desiring admission to the ASL-English Translation & Interpreting Studies program must show proficiency in American Sign Language by examination or completion of ASL IV with a “C” or better.
Certification and Licensing: Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be ready to take local evaluations and obtain entry-level employment. Shortly after graduation, students should take the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment. Most students who continue to develop their interpreting skills will be prepared to seek national certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf within three to five years after graduation.
See the current Palomar College catalog for a complete list of course descriptions