Sign Language Interpreting (Certificate T0801)

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Certificate T0801
The Mt. San Antonio College Interpreter Education Program’s mission is to inspire students and to provide a brave space for students to learn a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to interpret languages and cultures among diverse signing and non-signing populations while cultivating students’ professional dispositions: equity mindedness, ethical decision making, interpersonal skills, lifelong learning, and world knowledge. Our program is based the competencies and curriculum set by the Commission of Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE).

Sign Language Interpreters are needed wherever communication happens between diverse signing and non-signing populations. This type of work requires interpreters of diverse languages, cultures, and backgrounds to work with a wide range of consumers. Interpreters are employed by video relay companies, school districts, colleges and universities, government agencies, medical settings, corporations, nonprofits, and private businesses. 

After graduation, the graduates are encouraged to seek higher education and internship opportunities. Students can take credentialing exams such as the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI). With a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, interpreters can take the National Interpreter Certification (NIC). The State of California does not currently require a license to work as a general interpreter. Certification is the preference of hiring entities and consumers. There are requirements to work as an educational interpreter. Students will learn a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to interpret. 

Resources:
CCIE 
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NIC)
Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment
Board for Evaluation of Interpreters in Texas

Required Courses

Course Prefix Course Name Units
Core Courses
ENGL 1AFreshman Composition4
or ENGL 1AH Freshman Composition - Honors
or ENGL 1AM College Composition for Non-Native English Speakers
or AMLA 1A College Composition for Non-Native English Speakers
SIGN 101American Sign Language 14
or SIGN 101H American Sign Language 1 - Honors
SIGN 102American Sign Language 24
SIGN 103American Sign Language 34
SIGN 104American Sign Language 44
SIGN 105American Sign Language 54
SIGN 201Introduction to Deaf Studies3
SIGN 202Cultures in the Deaf Community3
SIGN 206Social Justice and Intersectionality within the Deaf Community3
SIGN 212American Sign Language Features and Linguistics3
SIGN 213Linguistics for Interpreters3
SIGN 223Introduction to Interpreting3
SIGN 227Interpreting 1: Skills, Equity, and Ethics4
SIGN 231Interpreting 2: Skills, Equity, and Ethics4
SIGN 232Interpreting 3: Skills, Equity, and Ethics4
SIGN 239Interpreting 4: Skills, Equity, and Ethics4
SIGN 241Video Interpreting3
SIGN 243Team Interpreting3
SIGN 245Business of Interpreting and Assessment Preparation1.5
SIGN 247Interpreting Capstone and Reflective Practice3
SPCH 1APublic Speaking4
or SPCH 1AH Public Speaking - Honors
Required Electives
Complete a minimum of 6 units from the following:6
SIGN 208
Creative Uses of American Sign Language
SIGN 249
Community Interpreting
SIGN 251
Interpreting with Diverse Consumers
SIGN 253
K-12 and Mock Interpreting
SIGN 255
Post-Secondary and Mock Interpreting
SIGN 257
Performance Arts Interpreting
SIGN 259
Trilingual Interpreting
SIGN 261
Complex Topics in Interpreting
SIGN 299
Special Projects in Sign Language/Interpreting
Total Units78.5

Sign Language Interpreting Department Website 

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a professional disposition: equity mindedness, ethical decision making, interpersonal skills, lifelong learning, and world knowledge
  • Use the foundation of acquired skills and knowledge to find potential transfer and internship opportunities
  • Interpret languages and cultures among diverse signing and non-signing populations 

​Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Looking for guidance? A counselor can help.This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
SIGN 105 American Sign Language 5 4
SIGN 210 3
SIGN 220 4
SIGN 223 Introduction to Interpreting 3
SIGN 223 request prerequisite override for ENGL 1A 1  
contact Sign Language Dept. Chair contact Sign Language Dept. Chair  
Ann Walker ann.walker@mtsac.edu Ann Walker ann.walker@mtsac.edu  
Recommend SIGN 105 be completed prior to this term 5  
14 units required to stay on track to completion 4  
 Units14
Winter Term 1
ENGL 1A Freshman Composition 4
ENGL 1A prerequisite for SIGN 227 7  
 Units4
Spring Term 1
SIGN 108 Fingerspelling, Numbers and Classifiers 2
SIGN 227 Interpreting 1: Skills, Equity, and Ethics 4
SPCH 1A Public Speaking 4
SPCH 1A prerequisite for SIGN 231 1  
Electives: SIGN 240, 250, 260 299 3 courses 3  
(5-5.5 units) to be completed this semester 5  
following terms as noted; may be taken fall/spring following terms as noted; may be taken fall/spring  
SIGN 250 1.5  
 Units10
Fall Term 2
SIGN 201 Introduction to Deaf Studies 3
SIGN 202 Cultures in the Deaf Community 3
SIGN 231 Interpreting 2: Skills, Equity, and Ethics 4
SIGN 201 202 may be completed before this term 2  
 Units10
Winter Term 2
Apply for Certificate at Admissions Records Apply for Certificate at Admissions Records  
SIGN 240 possible for elective 0  
SIGN 240 OR SIGN 260 2  
 Units0
Spring Term 2
SIGN 232 Interpreting 3: Skills, Equity, and Ethics 4
 Units4
Summer Term 2
SIGN 240 OR SIGN 260 2  
 Units0
Fall Term 3
SIGN 225 2
SIGN 239 Interpreting 4: Skills, Equity, and Ethics 2
SIGN 299 elective course preferred w/SIGN 239 9  
SIGN 299 2  
 Units4
 Total Units46
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