Deaf Studies: Interpreting Transfer, Associate in Arts

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.

Requirements

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
ANT101Cultural Anthropology

3

Global Awareness Intensive

ASL111Intermediate ASL I

5

Public Presentation Intensive

ASL112Intermediate ASL II

5

ASL201Advanced American Sign Language I

4

ASL202Advanced American Sign Language II

4

ASL203American Sign Language Linguistics

3

Information Literacy Intensive

ASL205Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore

3

DST101Introduction to Deaf Studies

3

DST102Introduction to the Interpreting Field

4

Public Presentation Intensive

DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

Written Communication Intensive

DST205Deaf Culture

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

ENG102English Composition II

3

PHI110Ethics

3

Courses with Prerequisites: ANT101, ASL112, ASL201, ASL202, ASL203, ASL205, DST101, ENG102PHI110

Courses with Prerequisites and Corequisites: ASL111, DST102, DST191, DST205, ENG101

Electives

Free Elective   3-4
Government or History Elective GOV101 or higher or HIS101, HIS102, HIS111, HIS112, HIS121, HIS122.
 3
Math Elective MAT120 or higher  3-4
Science Electives One course must be a 4-credit lab science. Students transferring should take 2 lab sciences.   7-8
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

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

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)

Year 1

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
Fall
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
ASL111Intermediate ASL I

5

Public Presentation Intensive

DST101Introduction to Deaf Studies

3

DST191Deaf Community Practicum

2

Written Communication Intensive

ENG101English Composition I

3

MAT120-299Math Elective

3-4

Spring
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
ANT101Cultural Anthropology

3

Global Awareness Intensive

ASL112Intermediate ASL II

5

ASL203American Sign Language Linguistics

3

Information Literacy Intensive

DST102Introduction to the Interpreting Field

4

Public Presentation Intensive

ENG102English Composition II

3

Year 2

Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
Fall
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
ASL201Advanced American Sign Language I

4

DST205Deaf Culture

3

GOV OR HISGovernment OR History Elective

3

PHI110Ethics

3

Science Elective

3-4

Spring
Course NumberTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s) Intensive Designation(s)
ASL202Advanced American Sign Language II

4

ASL205Deaf Literature & ASL Folklore

3

Free Elective

3-4

Science Elective

4