Sign Language Interpretation

Explore on This Page

• Job Titles & Career Info
• Our Program
• Degrees & Certificates
• Accreditation
• How Much Time & Money to Finish?
• Earn More Choices & More Money
• Start on Your Pathway!

Job Titles & Career Info

Our Program

Why Choose Sign Language Interpretation?

• Be a part of our accredited program that is 1 of only 4 associate degree programs in the country that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education.
• Study with a faculty & staff team that includes highly credentialed Deaf & Hearing instructors who are committed to helping you become a skilled ASL/English interpreter—linguistically, culturally & ethically.
• Develop your interpreting skills through our program’s relationships & internship opportunities with many local community partners, including:
  • Sorenson VRS
  • Deaf Action Center
  • Hired Hands, Inc.
  • Fisher Interpreting
  • Kappleman Interpreting
  • Several ISDs & secondary institutions across North Texas
  • Social service agencies
  • Faith-based organizations

Prepare for What You Will Do at Work

• Work as a certified interpreter.
• Use business skills & your professional portfolio to be able work as an interpreter in private practice or for an agency.
• Identify the cultural & linguistic needs of clients to make appropriate ethical decisions related to that information
• Work with members of the Deaf/blind community
• Practice entry-level interpreting in areas, such as:
  • Social service
  • Education
  • Faith-based entities
  • Community services

Marketable Skills You Will Learn

• Critical thinking
• Reasoning
• Communication
• Personal & social responsibility
• Teamwork
• Computer literacy

Before You Enroll, Think About:

• Special admission criteria apply.
• Our A.A.S. program does not grant you a professional interpreting license or certification.
  • It does prepare you to take the Texas Board of Evaluators of Interpreters (BEI) Basic Level Interpreting Exam and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Interpreting Certification.
• The final year is very time consuming: You are required to participate in 240 hours of internship each of your last 2 semesters—in addition to regular classes.
• You must have a strong understanding of English.
• You must be:
  • Able to receive and apply professional feedback from instructors, mentors, and peers
  • Comfortable interacting with diverse populations in a variety of settings
  • At ease standing up in front of others for presentations
  • Able to work in both ASL and English
• You will need to develop strong time management skills.

Licensing Notice: Texas House Bill 1508

This program prepares you for an occupational license. However, you may not be eligible for licensing if you have a prior criminal history.

For more details, see Texas House Bill 1508 Licensing Requirements

Need a boost to get ready for college?

Talk to your advisor about Developmental Studies if your TSI scores say you need some help in math or reading and writing.

Degrees & Certificates

Special admission criteria apply.

Degree

• Sign Language Interpreting, AAS

Prepares you to take the basic level exam offered by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) in the state of Texas. You take advanced courses and complete a required practicum in addition to the courses required for a certificate.

Certificates

Level 1

• Basic American Sign Language Acquisition

Gives you basic communication skills in American Sign Language and can be used as foreign language transfer.

• Sign Language Communicator

Enhanced Skills

• Educational Sign Language Interpreting

Gives you foreign language credit and prepares you to use American Sign Language conversationally.

Occupational Skills Award

• Conversational ASL for Healthcare Workers Certificate

Accreditation

Our Sign Language Interpretation Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education.

How Much Time & Money to Finish?

2024–2025 Academic Year

Notes:

• Tuition is based on in-state, in-county rates.
• Totals do not include textbooks and other materials.

Continuing Education Programs

Time commitments and fees vary depending on the course.

Earn More Choices & More Money

Transfer to a college or university to continue your studies. Earning a bachelor’s degree opens the door to promotion opportunities.

You can continue your studies to further develop your knowledge and skills in areas where you want to specialize.

• Interested in legal interpreting?
  Consider a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
• Interested in medical interpreting?
  Consider a bachelor’s degree in biology or other science field.
• Interested in educational interpreting?
  Consider a bachelor’s degree in education, humanities, or general studies.

Next steps

• Talk to your advisor about planning for transfer
• Explore transfer schools

Start on Your Pathway!