Certificate - Interpreter Training Program

Sign Language Interpreters facilitate communication between people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear.  They must be fluent in English and in American Sign Language (ASL), which combines signing, fingerspelling, specific body language and facial expressions.  To become a professional interpreter, one must pass the State Board Exams in addition to having at least an Associate Degree.

SUMMER OR DUAL CREDIT HIGH SCHOOL AT TJC      Total Credit Hours = 8

SGNL   1401     Beginning American Sign Language I & Lab
SGNL   1402     Beginning American Sign Language II & Lab        

SEMESTER I     (FALL)Total Credit Hours = 9   
SGNL   2301     Intermediate American Sign Language I & Lab
SLNG   1307     Intra-Lingual Skills for Interpreters
SLNG   1321     Introduction to Interpreting Profession                 

SEMESTER II    (SPRING) Total Credit Hours =10-11 
SGNL   2302     Intermediate American Sign Language II & Lab
SLNG   1211     Fingerspelling
SLNG   2301     Interpreting I
SLNG Elective  

Mid Program Evaluation:  Must pass with a “C” or better to continue in the program   
                                            

SUMMER          Total Credit Hours = 3
SLNG   2334     American Sign Language V & Lab

SEMESTER III   (FALL)  Total Credit Hours = 9             
SLNG   1347     Deaf Culture                                         
SLNG   2302     Interpreting II & Lab                                           
SLNG   2303     Transliterating & Lab                             

SEMESTER IV (SPRING) Total Credit Hours = 9
SLNG   2431     Interpreting III & Lab
SLNG   2311     Interpreting in Specialized Settings
SLNG   2266     Practicum (16.25 hours per week)

Must pass  EXIT Exam with “C” or better to graduate

Notes:

• Approved SLNG Electives include the following:  SLNG 1206 Interpreting Artistic Texts; SLNG 1215 Visual Gestural Communication; SLNG 1350 Sign to Voice; SLNG 2315 Interpreting in Educational Settings; and SLNG 1391 Special Topics in Sign Language Interpreting.

• See catalog descriptions of course pre-requisites and co-requisites.  Students enrolling this program who plan to transfer to upper-level institutions should consult an advisor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses.  For an Interpreter Training degree, students must have a minimum grade of “C” in each SLNG/SGNL class as well as the Mid-Program and Exit Exams.  In addition, students must complete the General Graduation Requirements as set forth in the TJC catalog.

• Rhonda McKinzie, Department Chair, Sign Language Interpreter Program
  - Jenkins 182 | rmck@tjc.edu | 903-510-2774 | Fax: 903-593-8745
• Office of Advising: 903.510.2425, Silvana Vierkant | e-Mail: svie@tjc.edu