AA/AS in American Sign Language

This associate degree readies students with no earlier degree for beginning work as sign language interpreters. Learners strengthen both expressive and receptive signing while practicing how to bridge conversations between Deaf or hard of hearing people and hearing people. Instruction mixes classroom sessions, laboratory practice and field placements. Students also study the interpreting profession's ethics, how ASL and English are structured linguistically, and the cultures of Deaf and hearing communities, with regular involvement in the Deaf community expected inside and outside class. Coursework supports preparation for the national interpreter certification knowledge test. Admission is selective, students meet with the program manager before entering, and a grade of B or better is needed in the ASL and interpreting courses to remain enrolled.