Courses and Requirements
The associate in arts degree in Deaf Studies: Interpreting Transfer is designed to provide students with a broad educational experience and a foundation in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture. Students in this program are exposed to the requirements of the ASL/English profession as a precursor to transferring to a bachelor's degree program in interpreting.
Students must earn a minimum grade of B in all ASL language courses and a minimum grade of C in DST courses and ASL203 and ASL205 in order to move to the next level of courses and for graduation.
A minimum of 62 credit hours are required for graduation.
Starting in the Fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.
Program Prerequisites
ASL101 Elementary ASL I and ASL102 Elementary ASL II with a “B” or better or demonstrate comparable skills/knowledge and ENG101 English Composition I with a "C" or better.
Additional Admissions Criteria
All admission criteria are available in the Deaf Studies Criteria Packet which can be found on the Required Forms page.
CORI/CHRI/SORI
Students in this academic program will be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal Records Central Repository (CHRI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.
Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.
Electives
Requirements
| ANT101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Global Awareness Intensive |
| ASL111 | Intermediate American Sign Language I | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| ASL112 | Intermediate American Sign Language II | 4 | |
| ASL201 | Advanced American Sign Language I | 4 | |
| ASL202 | Advanced American Sign Language II | 4 | |
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| ASL205 | Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore | 3 | |
| DST101 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 | |
| DST102 | Introduction to the Interpreting Field | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
| DST205 | Deaf Culture | 3 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| PHI110 | Ethics | 3 | |
Courses with Prerequisites and Corequisites: ASL111, ASL112, ASL201, ASL202, ASL203, ASL205, DST101, DST102, DST191, DST205, ENG102
Program Notes
Students considering a career in ASL/English interpreting must achieve mastery of both American Sign Language and English by the end of their training. Success in the interpreting profession requires very good interpersonal skills, empathy, acceptance of cultural and linguistic differences, ethical judgment, and a readiness to pursue life-long learning. Graduates must pass state-level credentialing or licensing exams to gain employment. National credentialing is typically achievable within two to four years after state-level credentialing.
Courses are offered during the daytime hours only, two days per week. Students must have reliable transportation to and from their practicum sites.
Recommended Course Sequence Deaf Studies Interpreting Transfer Associate Degree
Year 1
Fall
| ASL111 | Intermediate American Sign Language I | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| DST101 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 | |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 | Written Communication Intensive |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| MAT120-299 | Math Elective | 3-4 | |
Spring
| ANT101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Global Awareness Intensive |
| ASL112 | Intermediate American Sign Language II | 4 | |
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| DST102 | Introduction to the Interpreting Field | 4 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
Year 2
Fall
Spring
| ASL202 | Advanced American Sign Language II | 4 | |
| ASL205 | Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3-4 | |
| Science Elective | 3-4 | |