American Sign Language/Interpreting Program
2018-2019
Description
The American Sign Language (ASL) Studies and the ASL—English Interpretation programs offer students a variety of certificate and degree options designed to prepare them for transfer to four-year institutions as well as for deafness-related careers in the public and private sectors.
Gainful Employment Information
| Award Type | Units |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Achievement: | |
| American Sign Language Studies | 32 |
| ASL-English Interpretation | 37 |
| Associate of Arts Degree: | |
| American Sign Language Studies | 32* |
| ASL-English Interpretation | 37* |
*and courses to meet graduation requirements, general education and electives as needed to meet the minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Program Goals
The American Sign Language Studies program focuses on beginning to advanced ASL language skill development. This program encourages student involvement in the social and cultural activities of the Deaf community as it emphasizes student awareness of ASL as a unique language and Deaf culture and history. Students who complete the ASL Studies program may choose to work with Deaf and/ or Hard-of-Hearing individuals in education and/or other human, social or community services or they may choose to transfer to a four-year institution or begin work toward a certificate or degree in the ASL - English Interpretation program.
Program Emphasis
The ASL Studies program places special emphasis on preparing students for public and private sector employment working with the Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing community. This program also provides a pathway to continued education in a variety of disciplines and to the ASL - English Interpretation program.
Career Options
Professional interpreters have opportunities to work in a variety of private and public sector settings, including: Performing Arts (concerts, theatre), Media Arts (television and film), Telecommunications (remote video interpreting, video relay), Medical and Mental Health settings(hospitals, doctors’ offices, group sessions, individual therapy, testing), Education (K-12 and college), Business (meetings, trainings) and Religious (church services, weddings, funerals).
Note: Students must fulfill district general education requirements in addition to the following courses in order to be eligible for the Associate of Arts Degree.
Certificate of Achievement
American Sign Language Studies
| Courses Required for Major: |
Units | |
| AMSL 115 | American Sign Language Level I | 4 |
| AMSL 115L | American Sign Language I (Lab) | 1 |
| AMSL 116 | American Sign Language Level II | 4 |
| AMSL 116L | American Sign Language II (Lab) | 1 |
| AMSL 150 | Introduction to Deaf Culture | 3 |
| AMSL 155 | Implications of Deafness | 3 |
| AMSL 214 | American Sign Language Finger spelled Signs | 3 |
| AMSL 215 | American Sign Language Level III | 4 |
| AMSL 215L | American Sign Language III (Lab) | 1 |
| AMSL 216 | American Sign Language Level IV | 4 |
| AMSL 216L | American Sign Language IV (Lab | 1 |
| AMSL 225 | Introduction to Linguistics of American Sign Language | 3 |
| Total Units = 32 | ||
ASL-English Interpretation
| Courses Required for Major: |
Units | |
| AMSL 150 | Introduction to Deaf Culture | 3 |
| AMSL 155 | Implications of Deafness | 3 |
| AMSL 214 | American Sign Language Fingerspelled Signs | 3 |
| AMSL 225 | Introduction to Linguistics of American Sign Language |
3 |
| AMSL 230 | Interpretation I | 4 |
| AMSL 235 | Professional Aspects of Interpretation | 3 |
| AMSL 240 | Interpretation II | 4 |
| AMSL 245 | Specialized Settings in Interpretation | 3 |
| AMSL 250 | Interpretation III | 4 |
| AMSL 255 | Interpretation IV | 4 |
| AMSL 276 | Field Work in Interpretation | 3 |
| Total Units = 37 | ||
Program Goals
The ASL - English Interpretation program is a rigorous, two-year, full-time course of study designed to prepare students to facilitate communication between ASL and English speakers. This program focuses on beginning to advanced level translation, transliteration and interpretation skill development with special emphasis on the professional code of ethics and cultural mediation. This ASL - English Interpretation program enjoys a nation-wide reputation for excellence and for producing successful students with marketable skills.
Program Emphasis
ASL - English Interpretation is a richly fulfilling and creative profession requiring keen intelligence and a sensitivity to the smallest nuances in communication. The City of San Diego faces a critical shortage of qualified interpreters. The ASL - English Interpretation program emphasizes developing highly-skilled interpreters for the community as more Deaf people enter business, education and social services, and as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the hiring of more qualified ASL - English Interpreters to provide equal access.
Career Options
Professional interpreters have opportunities to work in a variety of private and public sector settings, including: Performing Arts (concerts, theatre), Media Arts (television and film), Telecommunications (remote video interpreting, video relay), Medical and Mental Health settings(hospitals, doctors’ offices, group sessions, individual therapy, testing), Education (K-12 and college), Business (meetings, trainings) and Religious (church services, weddings, funerals).
Associate of Arts Degree
American Sign Language Studies
| Courses Required for Major: |
Units | |
| AMSL 115 | American Sign Language Level I | 4 |
| AMSL 115L | American Sign Language I (Lab) | 1 |
| AMSL 116 | American Sign Language Level II | 4 |
| AMSL 116L | American Sign Language II (Lab) | 1 |
| AMSL 150 | Introduction to Deaf Culture | 3 |
| AMSL 155 | Implications of Deafness | 3 |
| AMSL 214 | American Sign Language Fingerspelled Signs |
3 |
| AMSL 215 | American Sign Language Level III | 4 |
| AMSL 215L | American Sign Language III (Lab) | 1 |
| AMSL 216 | American Sign Language Level IV | 4 |
| AMSL 216L | American Sign Language IV (Lab) | 1 |
| AMSL 225 | Introduction to Linguistics of American Sign Language | 3 |
| Total Units = 32 | ||
Note: Only one American Sign Language (AMSL) course from the above list may be used to satisfy SDCCD general education requirements.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
ASL-English Interpretation
| Courses Required for Major: | Units | |
| AMSL 150 | Introduction to Deaf Culture | 3 |
| AMSL 155 | Implications of Deafness | 3 |
| AMSL 214 | American Sign Language Fingerspelled Signs | 3 |
| AMSL 225 | Introduction to Linguistics of American Sign Language |
3 |
| AMSL 230 | Interpretation I | 4 |
| AMSL 235 | Professional Aspects of Interpretation | 3 |
| AMSL 240 | Interpretation II | 4 |
| AMSL 245 | Specialized Settings in Interpretation | 3 |
| AMSL 250 | Interpretation III | 4 |
| AMSL 255 | Interpretation IV | 4 |
| AMSL 276 | Field Work in Interpretation | 3 |
| Total Units = 37 | ||
Note: Only one American Sign Language (AMSL) course from the above list may be used to satisfy SDCCD general education requirements.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.