Courses and Requirements
The certificate program in Sign Language Interpreter is available to students holding an Associate degree or higher. The certificate is designed to provide students with a foundation in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture and an opportunity to explore careers in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community and function as entry level professional interpreters. The program also provides for career exploration within the deaf community.
Students must earn a minimum grade of B in all ASL courses except ASL 203 and ASL 205 and a minimum grade of C in DST courses and ASL203 and ASL205. A minimum of 51 credit hours are required for students intending to continue their studies in interpreting.
Program Prerequisites
ASL101 Elementary ASL I and ASL102 Elementary ASL II with a B or better or demonstrate comparable skills/knowledge. See a representative in Enrollment Services for additional admissions criteria for this program.
Additional Admissions Criteria
Enrollment Services will provide additional admissions criteria for this program. All admission criteria is available in the Deaf Studies Criteria Packet which can be found on the NECC Forms page.
CORI/CHRI/SORI
Students interested in participation in this academic program may 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
| ANT101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ASL111 | Intermediate ASL I | 5 |
| ASL112 | Intermediate ASL II | 5 |
| ASL201 | Advanced American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ASL202 | Advanced American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 |
| DST101 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 |
| DST102 | Introduction to the Interpreting Field | 4 |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 |
| DST201 | Interpreting I | 4 |
| DST202 | Interpreting II | 4 |
| DST205 | Deaf Culture | 3 |
| DST291 | Interpreting Practicum I | 3 |
| DST292 | Interpreting Practicum II | 3 |
| PHI110 | Ethics | 3 |
Courses with Prerequisites: ANT101, ASL112, ASL201, ASL202, ASL203, DST101, PHI110
Courses with Prerequisites and Corequisites: ASL111, DST102, DST191, DST201, DST202, DST205, DST291, DST292
Program Notes
Courses are offered during daytime hours only, two days per week. In the first semester, students must be available one additional day to complete their first-semester practicum requirements. Students must have a reliable means of transportation to and from their practicum sites. Students in this option who plan on continuing to a certificate or degree in ASL/English interpreting must maintain a grade of B or better in all ASL language classes.
Recommended Course Sequence Deaf Studies: Sign Language Interpreter Certificate
Year 1
Fall
| ANT101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ASL111 | Intermediate ASL I | 5 |
| DST101 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 |
| DST191 | Deaf Community Practicum | 2 |
Spring
| ASL112 | Intermediate ASL II | 5 |
| ASL203 | American Sign Language Linguistics | 3 |
| DST102 | Introduction to the Interpreting Field | 4 |
| PHI110 | Ethics | 3 |
Year 2
Fall
Spring
| ASL202 | Advanced American Sign Language II | 4 |
| DST202 | Interpreting II | 4 |
| DST292 | Interpreting Practicum II | 3 |