School of Liberal Arts and Core Studies - American Sign Language Interpreting Program

Associate in Arts (AA) in American Sign Language Interpreting
Certificate (CERT)

About the Program

The American Sign Language Interpreting Program at SFCC develops knowledge and skills leading to employment as interpreters. Upon completing the program, graduates will have a broad understanding of the types and scope of support services available to deaf persons as well as extensive knowledge of deaf culture. The program prepares graduates to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people using English and American Sign Language. There is an increasing demand for qualified interpreters on a national level, as the demand for services exceeds the supply of interpreters.

The curriculum includes skills classes, seminars, and internships, as well as general education classes related to this field. SFCC's Sign Language Interpreting Lab facilitates classes and gives you the opportunity to work on and improve their ASL and Interpreting skills according to your personal schedule.

The American Sign Language Interpreting Program offers certificate and associate degrees with an emphasis on the educational setting. A trilingual option in Spanish is also available. While earning your degree, you should be aware of the additional regulations and licensure for New Mexico and the United States.*

For more information please visit:

Career Opportunities:

The program is designed to prepare you to work as interpreters in areas such as colleges, public schools or as freelance interpreters. The curriculum provides you with a varied background that helps you prepare to enter work in human service areas such as vocational rehabilitation, early childhood education, and social and mental health agencies. Graduates may also find employment in business, medical, legal, law enforcement, theaters, libraries, business companies, museums, video relay, or any other public or private arena in which deaf and hearing people interact.

* Registry of the Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) regulations

In 2012, applicants who are hearing will be required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in order to be considered a candidate for certification while applicants who are deaf will be required to have a minimum of an associate degree. In 2016, applicants who are deaf will be required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree. This is due to extensive requests from interpreting clients requiring that their interpreters be nationally certified. Visit the RID website.

While RID does not require an interpreting major in order to take the test, it is strongly recognized that earning a degree in interpreting will prepare you better for entering the field. Completing your Interpreting program at SFCC is your head start to earning a Bachelor's degree through the institutions such as the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands University or the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA).

Links:

Find courses in the current catalog

See the current class schedule

For more information, contact Beth Krandel, Chair, AMSL/INTR Program at (505) 819-5630, beth.krandel@sfcc.edu or the school of Liberal Arts & Core Studies at (505) 428-1370.

For more information, please contact Beth Krandel, Assistant Professor of ASL, Chair, AMSL/INTR, (505) 819-5630 VP, beth.krandel@sfcc.edu.

Santa Fe Community College | 6401 Richards Ave. | Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508 | (505) 428-1000