American Sign Language/English Interpreting

Our American Sign Language (ASL)/English Interpreting program will teach you the unique language and culture of the American Deaf Community as you pursue a career as a professional sign language interpreter.

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Program Duration: 2 Years
Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Total Credit Hours: 67

An ASL translator accompanying a student singer at the College's commencement ceremony

About This Program

You will acquire advanced skills in both ASL and English, and you will be able to understand and translate the thoughts and feelings of others. The College’s program also offers a multimedia language and interpreting lab with video, digital and computer technology, feedback on your progress through recorded ASL and interpreting demonstrations of skill, field experience in the deaf community, networking with professional interpreters and an interpreting internship.

Quick Information

General Contact Call (215) 751-8010

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Transfer Opportunities

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View all transfer opportunities

Program Entry Requirements

ASL/English Interpreting program students must be English 101 ready. Developmental coursework must be completed before admittance into the program. To be accepted into the ASL/English Interpreting program students must earn a minimum grade of "C" in ASL 101 and a minimum grade of "B" in ASL 102 (both program prerequisites). Applicants to the ASL/English Interpreting program who have not taken ASL 101 and/or ASL 102, and who have prior experience with the language of ASL, may request a proficiency screening for acceptance and placement in the program.

Applicants requesting transfer of ASL courses from another college must have earned a minimum grade of "C" in ASL 101 and a minimum grade of "B" in ASL 201 and 202 equivalents at their former college(s) for these courses to be transferable.

Program Retention Criteria

A student who demonstrates attitudes and behavior viewed as inconsistent with professional ASL/English interpreting standards may be dropped from the curriculum pending a departmental hearing.

ASL skills can diminish over time if not used regularly. Therefore, it is recommended that students who leave the program for more than one year and wish to return be evaluated by a faculty member for the need to retake coursework previously taken.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements

To qualify for an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in ASL/English Interpreting, a student must complete 67 credits as prescribed, have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, and a "C" or better in all ASL, ENGL and INT courses.

Summer I

This is a select program. Students must earn a minimum grade of "B" in both ASL 101 and ASL 102 or pass a proficiency screening for acceptance and placement in the program.

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name ASL 201 - Intermediate ASL I	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes ASL 201 requires a grade of "B" or better in ASL 102.	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Writing, Research, Info Lit 1

Summer 2

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name ASL 202 - Intermediate ASL II	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes ASL 202 requires a grade of "B" or better and is prerequisite for ASL 215, ASL 230 and ASL 231	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Technological Competency

Semester 1

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name ASL 230 - Structure of American Sign Language	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes ASL 230 is offered as a hybrid course; part online/part in-class. Class meets once a week.	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name ASL 231 - Advanced American Sign Language	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes Requires a grade of "C" or better and is prerequisite for ASL 232 and INT 151	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name INT 105 - Introduction to American Deaf Community	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name INT 240 - Intro to the Field of ASL/Eng Interpreting	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes Offered as an online class. No required on-site class. Requires a fieldwork component where student will observe working interpreters.	Course Type Major Course

Notes:

This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name ASL 232 - Advanced ASL II	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes Prerequisite for INT 251	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name INT 106 - American Deaf Culture	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name INT 242 - Introduction to Interpreting Processes	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes Offered as a hybrid course; part online/part in-class. Class meets once a week. Prerequisite for INT 251	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name INT 260 - Interpreting in Specialized Settings	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes Offered as an online class. No required on site class. Requires a fieldwork component where student will observe working interpreters	Course Type Major Course

Notes:

Don’t forget to meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Start planning for transfer:
- Did you know our dual admissions partnerships include scholarship opportunities?
- Learn more about our transfer agreements and use our interactive search tool for your program’s transfer options
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Now is a good time to start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship— You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships

Summer 1

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name ASL 215 - ASL Fingerspelling	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name INT 251 - ASL/English Interpreting I	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes INT 251 is offered as a hybrid course; part online/part in-class. Class meets once a week for 10-weeks. INT 251 requires a fieldwork component where student will observe working interpreters. INT 251 requires a grade of "C" or better is a prerequisite for INT 251 and INT 255	Course Type Major Course

Summer 2

A grade point average of 2.0 ("C" average) is required for graduation.

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Oral Communication/Creative Expression
Course Number and Name FNMT 101 - Quantitative Reasoning or FNMT 118 or higher	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes Some colleges and universities require a mathematics course above FNMT 118. Students who are FNMT 118 ready may take MATH 137 or MATH 150 instead of FNMT 101. Students who are FNMT 118 ready who wish to transfer to Temple University should take FNMT 118, which is the prerequisite for MATH 161. Please visit the transfer agreements web page for more information and consult with an advisor when selecting a quantitative reasoning course.	Course Type Quantitative Reasoning

Semester 3

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name INT 252 - ASL/English Interpreting II	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes INT 252 requires a grade of "C" or better and is a prerequisite for INT 297	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name INT 255 - Transliterating	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes INT 255 requires a grade of "C" or better and is a prerequisite for INT 297	Course Type Major Course
Course Number and Name ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Writing, Research, Info Lit 2
Course Number and Name SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology	Credits 3 credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type Cultural Analysis & Interpretation

Notes:

Meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship—You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships

Semester 4

A grade point average of 2.0 ("C" average) is required for graduation.

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
Course Number and Name INT 297 - Internship in Interpreting	Credits 4 credits	Advisory Notes Students will work with field placement coordinator to secure supervising interpreters and observation sites. INT 297 requires a minimum of 120 internship hours. Students will work with a field placement coordinator to secure supervising interpreters and observation sites.	Course Type
Course Number and Name BIOL 106 - General Biology I or BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology or AET 102 - Science Technology and Public Policy	Credits 3 or 4 credits	Advisory Notes INT 297 requires a minimum of 120 internship hours. Students will work with a field placement coordinator to secure supervising interpreters and observation sites.	Course Type Scientific Reasoning

Notes:

Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
Finalize your transfer plans:
- Meet with a counselor at your selected dual admissions transfer college
- Meet with one of our College’s counselors or an advisor to review transfer requirements
Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

Professor instructing a student using ASL

Launch Your Career with an American Sign Language/English Interpreting (INT)

Interpreter and Translator - est. salary $63,509
Special Education Teacher: Kindergarten and Elementary School - est. salary $79,755
Special Education Teacher: Middle School - est. salary $79,755
Teacher Assistant - est. salary $30,345*

Learn More

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Career Outlook

$67,550

Median Salary of Interpreters and Translators

6,020

Number of Jobs in the Region

+7.23%

10-year Job Outlook in the Region for Teacher Assistants

Featured Career

Interpreters and Translators

Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.

Starting Pay: $31,654

A student and translator communicating via ASL

Typical Tasks

Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.

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