Schools For ASL/English Interpreter Degrees

Online schooling has made it easier for students to be able to continue their education while holding a full-time job or having other priorities that keep them away from attending a traditional course. Distance Education (D.E.) has benefited millions of people around the globe. It's a great way to continue your studies without giving up what you do during your day! Furthermore, taking college courses online can enrich your educational experience.

 

 

Interpreting degrees online are not widely available, as normally these programs are considered to be better candidates for in-class studying. However, a few schools do offer Online Associates Degree Interpreting programs:

1) Cochise College offers AAS Degrees online for both Interpretation, Translation English<>Spanish and Interpreter Training. Tuition is $78 per credit hour (excluding other fees that could apply). The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

2) Southern California School of Interpretation is a school that offers many interpreting programs. Interpreting practices are accessible via the online interpreting lab. At the end of each course there will be an oral assessment of the student's interpreting skills by phone. Admission requirements: In order to be admitted to the school and be able to register for courses, the prospective student must first pass the school's

admission test. The admission test consists of 23 multiple choice questions, which are available and submitted online.

3) Sinclair Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS Degree) online in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting for the Deaf (see image) within their Child and Family Education (CFE) department. Degree completion requirements: 108 credit hours. Tuition for Out-of-State Residents: $150.55 per credit hour, plus $5.00 per credit hour (extra fee beyond tuition). The school is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

4) Saint Paul College offers a Sign Language Interpreter/Transliterator AAS Degree online. Tuition: $170.31 (including fee charges). The school is a Community & Technical College that is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Alternative Solutions to an Online Associates Degree in Interpreting

1) An online Certificate for Interpreter Preparation: a professional development program from John A. Logan College. It prepares students to work as ASL/English interpreters in education and other settings.

2) An online B.A. program, ASL-ENGLISH INTERPRETATION, from the University of Northern Colorado. This Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language-English Interpretation is suitable for those wanting to become a highly qualified interpreter. Note: The B.A. Interpretation Program requires students to participate online as well as having summer on-site requirements.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the "Job outlook varies by specialty." However, it is known that interpreters are widely needed throughout America as well as abroad.

"Earnings depend on language, subject matter, skill, experience, education, certification, and type of employer, and salaries of interpreters and translators can vary widely." [1]

Image credit: Sign Language (by xedos4)

Sinclair Community College: http://www.sinclair.edu/components/bulletin/bulletin.cfc?method=displayProgram&id=10632E1F-306E-11A1-E9ACEA115F2E7092

Cochise College: http://www.cochise.edu/programsofstudy/degreeprogs/index.asp

Saint Paul College: http://www.saintpaul.edu/programs/Pages/SignLangReq.aspx?Title=TGFuZ3VhZ2UgUHJvZ3JhbXMg#

Southern California School of Interpretation: http://www.interpreting.com/index-2.html

John A. Logan College: http://www.jalc.edu/catalog/course_descriptions/ipp_interpreter_preparation.pdf

University of Northern Colorado: http://www.unco.edu/doit/BA%20DEGREE.htm

Sources

[1] http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos175.htm#earnings

Useful Sites

American Translators Association (ATA): https://www.atanet.org/

List of Approved Translation and Interpreting Schools: https://www.atanet.org/certification/eligibility_approved.php#us

Sign Language and Interpreter Training Programs by State: http://multilingualbooks.com/aslschools.html

Baker College Library Resources (Interpreter Reliable Sources): https://www.baker.edu/library/resources/courses/itp/itp.cfm