American Sign Language and Interpreter Training
What is the American Sign Language and Interpreting program?Our American Sign Language (ASL) and Interpreting program equips you with the skills and knowledge to work as an ASL interpreter or Deaf Support Specialist within the Deaf community. This comprehensive curriculum not only teaches you ASL and the interpreting process but also immerses you in Deaf culture. What will I learn?Upon graduating with an associate degree in ASL: Sign Language Interpreter, you’ll be prepared for an entry-level career as an interpreter between Deaf and hearing individuals in a variety of settings, including educational and community-based employment. See what you can do with the track you choose below: Interpreting Track: As an interpreting student, you'll gain the expertise required to facilitate communication between Deaf and hearing individuals. The program covers ASL, the interpreting process, the interpreting profession, Deaf culture, and various specialized interpreting settings. Deaf Support Specialist Track: In this track, you will be trained to assist Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the workplace and with independent living skills. While you'll learn the interpreting process, your primary focus will be on advocacy, job coaching, and mentoring in community and educational settings. |
What can I do with this course of study?ASL: Sign Language Interpreter Degree: With an associate degree in ASL: Sign Language Interpreter, you'll be prepared for an entry-level career as an interpreter in diverse settings such as education and community services. The high demand for interpreters offers numerous part-time and full-time job opportunities. ASL: Deaf Support Specialist Degree: This degree prepares you for roles as an advocate, job coach, mentor, and paraprofessional for Deaf individuals, supporting them in various aspects of their lives and work. What is special about our program?Our interpreting program stands out for preparing students for the high-demand field of ASL interpreting. It is the only program in Texas requiring you to pass the State Certification Exam to graduate, ensuring you have the credentials to start your career immediately. Additionally, our ASL courses count as foreign language credits and can be transferred for university credit. |
American Sign Language Interpreter
A qualified Sign Language Interpreter is responsible for facilitating communication between consumers that are Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing by interpreting between English and American Sign Language. Interpreting refers to the process of preserving the meaning from one natural language to another natural language. When we interpret, it involves the unrehearsed, not written (i.e., spoken or signed) conversion of a message from one language (called the source language) to a second language (called the target language). (Department of Linguistics and Interpreting Gallaudet University, 1991) A Sign Language Interpreter must also act as a cultural mediator when working with consumers who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing.
The demand for interpreters allows for a variety of job opportunities, either part-time or full-time. There are a number of settings for a Sign Language Interpreter to find employment such as educational, community, video relay, medical, legal, mental health/psychiatric, religious and performing arts. An interpreter also has the opportunity to be self-employed and work as an Independent Contractor or a Freelance Interpreter for various companies and/or government agencies. The pay rate for a Sign Language Interpreter will depend on certification level, degrees held, location (urban vs. rural) and years of experience.
Below are additional web sites you may want to visit.
- http://www.discoverinterpreting.com
- http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes273091.htm#ind
- http://www.deaflinx.com/Interpreting/jobdescription.html
Certified Deaf/Intermediary Interpreter
For more information contact: Texas Department of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
Deaf Support Specialist
A Deaf Support Specialist (DSS) is responsible for advocating, educating and promoting community awareness on the issues that pertain to the Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing communities. Their duties involve assisting Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers with independent living skills, informing them of community services, and educating them in terms of their rights as they relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally they can assist in locating the latest rehabilitative and/or assistive technological devices. A DSS is not a Sign Language Interpreter; although, some interpreting may be required which is why our program requires that DSS take Interpreting I to become familiar with the interpreting process. A DSS may also work as a cultural mediator when working with consumers who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing.
A DSS may find employment in a variety of settings. They can work in the educational field as a paraprofessional, tutor or educator. Additionally they can also work as a job coach for companies or government agencies that employ Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. They may also have the opportunity to work for an agency or organization that provides an array of services for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
This degree may also benefit students who plan on pursuing their Bachelor’s degree in a field where they encounter deaf or hard-of-hearing consumers. Those occupations may include Deaf education or special education teacher, social worker, counselor, and vocational rehabilitation counselor.
The pay rate for a Deaf Support Specialist will depend on degrees and/or certifications held as well as years of experience.
Contact Us
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Michelle Payne
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John Mark Raymond |
Alaina Webb |
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Jodie Finken |