Associate of Applied Science - Program Map - 2024-2025
Social & Behavioral Sciences

Program Description

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Sign Language/ Interpreter Preparation prepares individuals for entry-level employment working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Students are trained to serve as interpreters or communication support persons for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in a number of settings. Strong language and cognitive abilities are required. The capstone course for the AAS Degree is SLNG 2331, Interpreting III, which prepares students to apply acquired skills to the state level and/or national certification processes.

Career Opportunities

Potential Careers: Educational Interpreters • Classroom Communication Aides • Community Interpreters • Agency Interpreters • Freelance Interpreters

Potential Salary: $34,770 to $78,470/year nationally, depending on career, education, location, and experience.

For more information on possible careers, education requirements, and salaries, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov

Sign Language/Interpreter Preparation

Associate of Applied Science

First Semester (Summer)

Credit Hours

SLNG

1211

Fingerspelling and Numbers

2

SLNG

1304

American Sign Language (ASL) I

(Summer I)

3

SLNG

1305

American Sign Language (ASL) II (Summer II)

3

8

Second Semester

Credit Hours

ENGL

1301

Composition I (C)

3

SLNG

1317

Introduction to the Deaf Community

3

SLNG

1344

American Sign Language (ASL) III

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective1 (C) (SBS)

3

12

Third Semester

Credit Hours

SLNG

1321

Introduction to the Interpreting Profession

3

SLNG

1345

American Sign Language (ASL) IV

3

SLNG

1347

Deaf Culture

3

SPCH

1315

Public Speaking (C)

3

Humanities or Fine Arts Elective2 (C) (HFA)

3

15

Fourth Semester (Summer)

Credit Hours

SLNG

1248

Vocabulary Development for Interpreters

2

SLNG

2301

Interpreting I

3

5

Fifth Semester

Credit Hours

SLNG

2280

Cooperative Education-Sign Language Interpretation and Translation I

2

SLNG

2302

Interpreting II

3

SLNG

2315

Interpreting in Educational Settings

3

SLNG

2337

Multicultural Issues in Interpreting

3

Mathematics Elective3 (C) (MNS)

3

14

Sixth Semester

Credit Hours

SLNG

1350

Sign-To-Voice

3

SLNG

2281

Cooperative Education-Sign Language Interpretation and Translation II

2

SLNG

2311

Interpreting in Specialized Settings

3

SLNG

2331

Interpreting III

3

11

Total Credit Hours

65

(C) Core Curriculum Course (F) Field of Study Course

Things To Know

  • Please visit your counselor/advisor at the end of each semester to discuss your next semester courses.
  • Prior to completing SLNG 2331, students must take and pass the Test of English Proficiency (TEP) exam given by the State of Texas Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS). Fees for the TEP are the student's responsibility and are to be paid to the Texas DHHS.
  • Students must complete and pass SLNG 1344 prior to enrolling in SLNG 1321.
  • Students are also required to complete and pass ENGL 1301 prior to enrolling in SLNG 1321.
  • SLNG 2280 & 2281 require students enroll in Sign Language Interpreter internships. Students are expected to follow the sign language Code of Professional Conduct during internships.
  • Tutoring hours required for most SLNG courses.
  • Some courses in this degree plan may count toward the American Sign Language – Deaf Studies Certificate. Visit the above degree plans to see which courses count.
  • Please check with the transferring institution on the transfer and applicability of courses to specific Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Marketable Skills

By the completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language/Interpreter Preparation, students will have gained the following marketable skills:

  • Bilingualism: Students effectively communicate in English and American Sign Language.
  • Public Speaking: Students are comfortable and able to speak to varying groups of people effectively and in an engaging manner.
  • Translation/Interpretation: Students can help bridge the gap of understanding between parties by translating and/or interpreting.

Requirements

Students must also take and pass the written English Proficiency and Interpreter Performance tests to become state-certified interpreters. Fees for these tests are the student's responsibility and are to be paid to Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI). Texas State Certification from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is required for interpreting positions after AAS Degree completion. Fees for this certification are the student's responsibility and are to be paid to the TEA. A Bachelor's Degree is required to take the National Interpreting Certification (NIC) Written Knowledge Exam and the Interview and Performance test. All certifications require application and testing fees, which are the student's responsibility to pay. Some specialized areas such as court and legal settings require additional certification and training well beyond that offered in the AAS program. Please visit the Program Coordinator for more information about certification processes.

Students must attend the SLNG Interpreting Majors Orientation Session and file a Sign Language/Interpreter Preparation degree plan with the designated program counselor. To be successful in this program, students should have excellent expressive/receptive skills for interpreting between American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Students must demonstrate conversational/functional knowledge of both languages prior to entering the SLNG Interpreter program, though this is not a requirement. All SLNG courses must be successfully completed within three years of starting the program.

Preferred Course Superscripts

1PSYC 2301 or 2315

2ENGL 2332 or 2333

3MATH 1324

Check the course catalog to view all applicable courses and information and/or visit your counselor/advisor to review your options.