Program Overview
The ASL/English Interpreting program is designed to prepare both new and returning students for state and national certification examinations. Earning certification can lead to employment opportunities in the growing and rewarding field of ASL/English interpreting. Upon successful completion of the program, students must apply for and pass the Utah Novice or Professional Interpreter Certification exams, the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), and/or the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) before working as professional interpreters in Utah. To sit for the National Interpreter Certification, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree (in any field) or have completed 120 college credits. Currently, the Utah Novice and Professional Interpreter Certifications and the EIPA do not require a bachelor's degree.
Career Opportunities
ASL/English interpreters are in demand across a wide range of settings, including education, social services, government, business, religion, performing arts, mental health, medical, and legal environments.
What You Will Learn
- Demonstrate broad general knowledge in many diverse fields in order to interpret in varied work environments.
- Sufficiently master program-specific professional knowledge and demonstrate understanding by discussing historical, linguistic and cultural issues as well as professional standards and roles for an ASL/English Interpreter.
- Sufficiently master program-specific, professional education competencies and demonstrate proficiency by effectively interpreting from ASL to English and English to ASL.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply the Code of Professional Conduct and incorporate feedback while working with internship mentors and site coordinators.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied to interpreting work to enhance language fluency.
- Be prepared to take the state and/or national certification (Utah Certification, EIPA, NIC).
Transfer Pathway
This terminal program prepares students to pass the state knowledge and performance examinations for novice and professional interpreters. Upon certification graduates may seek employment as ASL/English interpreters within the state. Students planning to pursue a bachelor's degree can complete the remaining twelve General Education credits to earn an Associate of Science in ASL or General Studies, facilitating transfer to a four-year institution.
Please refer to the Student Resources section of the SLCC University Transfer webpage.
Estimated Cost
- Tuition and Fees
- Books: $700
- Supplies: $50
- Course fees: $40
- Other: $180 (GoReact, an online video recording tool)
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.
Additional Information
Program Entry Requirements
Entrance into the ASL-English Interpreting program is selective and requires completion of prerequisites as well as a formal application and acceptance into the program. Prerequisite and program courses cannot be audited.
To apply, students must have completed the following courses with a grade of B- or higher:
- ASL 2010 and ASL 2020 (completed within the past two years)
- ENGL 1010
- INTR 1000
All courses within the program must be completed with a grade of B- or higher, except for MATH 1030 or MATH 1035, for which a grade of C or higher will be accepted.
For detailed application information, please visit SLCC ASL Interpreting Program Application, or contact the ASL/I Program at asli@slcc.edu or the ASL/I Academic Advisors.
Licensure Information
We have made a good-faith effort to collect state licensure requirements for the SLCC programs of study that lead to professional licensure. You can view additional information about state licensure requirements on our Professional Licensure webpage.