Sign Language Interpreting

The Sign Language certificate program is designed to provide students with the core

knowledge of American Sign Language, Deaf culture, ASL interpreting theory, skills,

and ethics. The program addresses key concepts in sign language interpreting,

including the history and cultural diversity of the Deaf community, ASL/English

interpretation, and ethical decision-making. Students also will complete a supervised

field practicum with experienced interpreters serving as mentors and models. The

program would provide the students with a network of interpreters to serve as their

mentors.

To enter the program, students will need to have completed levels 1, 2, and 3 of

American Sign Language. This coursework ensures they are prepared for level 4 in

their first semester of the program.

A certificate of achievement will be awarded upon successful completion of all

required coursework with a C grade or better.  Students can work toward the AA degree in Sign Language Interpreting as well.

Approximately, 25 students are projected to enroll annually in the Sign Language

Interpreting program.  15 students are projected to complete the program annually.

Based on labor market research, there are 378 job openings projected annually

through 2028. This is greater than the three-year average of 230 awards

awarded annually in the Los Angeles region for this subject. However, this data

includes all interpreters and translators, so the number might be overstated. Still, in 

the last 12 months, there were 252 online job postings just for sign language

interpreting.

This program will provide students with foundational knowledge in sign language interpreting. With this foundational knowledge, students will be prepared to perform entry-level interpreting assignments and work to earn certification by examination. Completing the certificate in sign language interpreting does not make one an interpreter, but employment opportunities exist for pre-certified individuals.

Employment opportunities are ample. Sign Language Interpreters can gain employment in video relay services. They also can provide interpreting for schools, colleges, government agencies, hospitals, courts, foster care system, social services, private companies, and non-profit organizations.

This program has 8 required courses, totaling 24 units.  The courses include, Intermediate American Sign Language II, Introduction to Deaf Culture, Introduction to Interpreting, ASL to English Translation, Ethical and Professional Standards of Interpreting, ASL Interpreting I, II, and III.  The last level of ASL Interpreting is a one-unit practicum or work experience course.

The eight required courses are as follows:

• Intermediate American Sign Language II (ASL 004):  A continuation of intermediate American Sign Language with emphasis on conversation skills and storytelling; continued expansion of knowledge of Deaf culture and Deaf community.

• Introduction to American Deaf Culture (ASL 015): Explores Deaf culture with a historical

focus, covers American Sign Language, and delves into the diverse cultural

identities within the American Deaf community.

• Foundations in Interpreting (ASL 106) : Provides an overview of ASL/English interpretation,

emphasizing theoretical interpretation models, text analysis through intralingual

translation exercises, and the historical evolution of the ASL/English interpretation

profession.

• Interpreting I: ASL- English Translation (ASL 107): Fundamentals in translation between American Sign Language (ASL) and English, with a focus on meaning equivalence across written and signed modalities. Explore translation theory, examine linguistic structures in both languages, and apply culturally responsive strategies to real-world texts. Develop practical skills through hands-on translation work, peer review, and critical reflection to produce accurate, audience-appropriate translations. 

• ASL Interpreting II: Consecutive Interpreting (ASL 108): Explores foundational skills in consecutive interpreting between ASL and English, with an emphasis on memory retention, message analysis, discourse cohesion, and professional ethics.  Emphasizes practical application through interpreting exercises in realistic scenarios and critical reflection on ethical decision-making in professional contexts. 

• Introduction to Interpreting III: Simultaneous Interpreting (ASL 111): This course is a continuation of Introduction to Interpreting II and is designed to develop students' skills in simultaneous ASL-English and English-ASL interpreting. Students will refine their ability to process, analyze, and deliver interpretations in real-time across various settings, preparing them for professional interpreting scenarios. The course emphasizes cognitive processing, self-monitoring, and decision-making strategies, building on theoretical and practical applications.

Ethical and Professional Standards of Interpreting (ASL 112): Enhances ethical decision-making

skills using the Demand/Control Schema (DC-S) and explores the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct.

• Work Experience/Internship (WEXP 001): A supervised field practicum for aspiring sign

language interpreters in entry-level scenarios, with experienced interpreters serving

as mentors and models.

This proposed  Certificate of Achievement and Associate's Degrees are in response to input from Pasadena City College students and faculty, as well as the ASL Advisory Committee.  The number of students earning the current Certificate of Achievement in ASL has more than tripled since 2021-2022, and the ASL program continues to grow in popularity, including in the area of dual enrollment.  More students have expressed interest in becoming sign language interpreters as their career/professional goals.

The Sign Language Interpreting program builds upon our Associates of Arts and Certificate of Achievement in American Sign Language. This program stacks with these current degree and certificate. One course found in the Sign Interpreting program, the Associate of Arts and Certificate of Achievement in American Sign Language is ASL 015-Introduction to Deaf Culture. Therefore, most students will enter the Sign Language Interpreting program already having completed ASL 015, as well as ASL 001, 002, and 003. Students in the program will apply their fluency in American Sign Language and foundational knowledge of Deaf culture to the interpreting field.

This program will fulfill a need identified by our advisory to focus more on time on task and developing fluency in order to build students' foundational knowledge. Students will be able to take courses in the program during the fall, winter, spring, and summer terms.

ASL Interpreter Education Program (East Los Angeles College)

Sign Language and Interpreting (Mount San Antonio College)

American Sign Language/Interpreting (Los Angeles Pierce College)

Sign Language/Interpreter Training (El Camino College)

Foundations of Interpreting (Rio Hondo College)

Approximately 25 students are expected to enroll in this program annually. 15

students are expected to complete the program annually.

The total number of units decreased from 31 to 24 because we changed the program requirements from 9 courses to 8 courses.  PCC only approves transfer-level courses that articulate to at least two CSUs.  We had to eliminate ASL 005 from the required coursework because it does not articulate.  We eliminated Interpreting I because it was repetitive with the Introduction to Interpreting class.  Additionally, we changed the titles of courses to better reflect what students would learn. Finally, we decided to replace a new course (Interpreting IV/Practicum) with WEXP 001 (Work Experience/Internship) because this course already exists at PCC.  Finally, our ASL Advisory approved the WEXP 001 class as reflected in the minutes from May 2025.  The advisory also approved the program requirements on February 27, 2026.