Interpreter Preparation

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Interpreter Preparation is designed to emphasize skills in American Sign Language (ASL), spoken English, Deaf culture, intercultural communication, and professional behavior for interpreters. In addition, it combines the Deaf Studies and Interpreter Preparation Certificates and prepares students for transfer to a bachelor's program. Additionally, theoretical and practical training in interpreting prepares students to meet Arizona* licensure requirements and sit for the following exams: the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI), and the written portion of the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the other two portions of which can be completed upon attainment of a bachelor's degree. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) is also available.

The AAS Interpreter Preparation program is accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE): www.ccie-accreditation.org.

*May apply to other states' requirements.

Details

Field of Interest

Culture and Society

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Interpreter Preparation (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3332

Total credits required

Catalog Year

2025-2026

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Admission criteria

Students must have a high school diploma, or GED, or equivalent.

Completion of the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333).

Formal application and acceptance into program is required.

Acceptance into the program requires a video demonstrating English fluency and an in-person interview to demonstrate ASL fluency.

Program Application fee (nonrefundable) supports actual cost for the Sign Language Proficiency Interview. A receipt from the Phoenix College Student Business Services Office is required.

The exit criteria of successful completion of capstone skills courses (IPP216, IPP219, IPP221, IPP230AA, 230AB and IPP242) with a B or better will be required and documented for graduation.

Notes

Admission into the Interpreter Preparation Program is available to a limited number of applicants.

Application is available in the Office of ASL-IPP the first week of February and is due the first week of March for the fall semester. See an academic advisor for application requirements and procedures. Students accepted into the program begin the following fall semester.

Students must earn a grade of B or better in IPP209, IPP211, IPP215, IPP216, IPP218, IPP219, IPP220, IPP221, IPP230AA, IPP230AB and IPP242 to graduate. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all remaining courses within the program. Students must seek Academic Advisement prior to enrollment in IPP216, IPP219, IPP221, IPP230AA, IPP230AB, and IPP242.

Students must complete two-hundred (200) clock hours of community involvement defined by the Program Director.

Students intending to transfer are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic and faculty advisor once they have selected their transfer institution to ensure all requirements for achieving junior standing are satisfied.

What You'll Learn

Demonstrate competency in both English and American Sign Language (ASL) essential to effective interpretation.
Apply world knowledge, interpreting theory, and language skills to create ASL to English and English to ASL interpretation for a variety of situations including authentic, supervised work experience.
Employ self and peer assessment to improve the effectiveness of interpretation.
Apply the rich cultural and historical knowledge of the deaf community to the practice of interpreting.
Practice interpersonal competencies that foster effective communication and productive collaboration with colleagues, consumers and employers.
Apply ethical decision making following professional standards, practices, regulations and laws.
Synthesize research applicable in the field of interpreting.
Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Interpreters and Translators

$37,840

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL101	American Sign Language I		Gateway course Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); First 8 weeks		4
ASL102	American Sign Language II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL101 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); Second 8 weeks		4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
SLC201	Introduction to Linguistics			HU, SB	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL200	Issues and Resources	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL102 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3
ASL201	American Sign Language III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL102 or permission of Department or Division. ENG101 or ENG107 and CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment suggested but not required. Completion of prerequisites within the last 3 years is required.	Critical course Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); First 8 weeks		4
ASL202	American Sign Language IV	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ASL201 or permission of Department or Division. ENG101 or ENG107, ASL200 and CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment suggested but not required. Completion of prerequisites within the last 3 yrs is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); Second 8 weeks		4
MAT14+ or MAT15+	College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher level mathematics course	MA or MA	3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL110	Fingerspelling	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL101 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3
ASL203	American Sign Language V	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL202. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		4
ASL204	Comparative Linguistics: ASL/English	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL202. Corequisites: ASL203. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3
IPP205	Introduction to Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL201 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL212	Deaf Culture	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL202 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)	C	3
IPP198	Careers in Deaf Studies: Observation	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in IPP205 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		1
IPP207	Ethics and Decision Making for ASL/English Interpreters	Prerequisites: ASL201 or permission of Department or Division. Prerequisites or Corequisites: IPP205 or permission of Program Director. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		2
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative			SG or SQ	4
COM110	Interpersonal Communication			SB	3
COM225	Public Speaking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.		L	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095, or RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113, or an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
IPP209	Introduction to Educational Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in IPP205 or permission of Department or Division. ASL200 recommended.		2
IPP210	Research in Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in COM225, CRE101, ENG102, and IPP207.		3
IPP211	Preparation for Interpreting	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program or permission of Department or Division.	First 3 Weeks	1
IPP215	ASL to English Consecutive Interpreting	Prerequisites: (Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program or permission of Department or Division) and IPP211 with a grade of "B" or better.	Critical course 13- Week Late Start	2
IPP218	English to ASL Consecutive Interpreting	Prerequisites: (Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program or permission of Department or Division) and IPP211 with a grade of "B" or better. IPP215 suggested but not required.	Critical course 13- Week Late Start	2
IPP220	Interactive Interpreting I	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in IPP211 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	13- Week Late Start	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
IPP216	ASL To English Simultaneous Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of "B" or better in IPP215, or permission of Department or Division.	3
IPP219	English to ASL Simultaneous Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of "B" or better in IPP218, or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	3
IPP221	Interactive Interpreting II	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in IPP220, or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	3
IPP229	Interpreter Preparation Internship Seminar	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program and/or program director approval. Corequisites: IPP230AA or IPP230AB.	1
IPP230AA or IPP230AB	Interpreter Preparation Program Internship or Interpreter Preparation Program Internship	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program and/or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: IPP229. or Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program and/or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: IPP229.	1–2
IPP242	Educational Interpreting Skills	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in (IPP209 and IPP211) or permission of Department or Division.	1

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL101	American Sign Language I		Gateway course Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); First 8 weeks		4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL102	American Sign Language II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL101 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); Second 8 weeks		4
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095, or RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113, or an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL200	Issues and Resources	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL102 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3
ASL201	American Sign Language III	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL102 or permission of Department or Division. ENG101 or ENG107 and CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment suggested but not required. Completion of prerequisites within the last 3 years is required.	Critical course Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); First 8 weeks		4

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL202	American Sign Language IV	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ASL201 or permission of Department or Division. ENG101 or ENG107, ASL200 and CRE101 or equivalent as indicated by assessment suggested but not required. Completion of prerequisites within the last 3 yrs is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); Second 8 weeks		4
IPP205	Introduction to Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL201 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL203	American Sign Language V	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL202. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		4
IPP198	Careers in Deaf Studies: Observation	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in IPP205 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		1

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SLC201	Introduction to Linguistics			HU, SB	3
MAT14+ or MAT15+	College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions		OR Higher level mathematics course	MA or MA	3–6
ASL204	Comparative Linguistics: ASL/English	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL202. Corequisites: ASL203. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3
IPP207	Ethics and Decision Making for ASL/English Interpreters	Prerequisites: ASL201 or permission of Department or Division. Prerequisites or Corequisites: IPP205 or permission of Program Director. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		2

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL110	Fingerspelling	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL101 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)		3
COM225	Public Speaking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.		L	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ASL212	Deaf Culture	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ASL202 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333)	C	3
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative			SG or SQ	4

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
COM110	Interpersonal Communication			SB	3
IPP211	Preparation for Interpreting	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program or permission of Department or Division.	First 3 Weeks		1
IPP215	ASL to English Consecutive Interpreting	Prerequisites: (Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program or permission of Department or Division) and IPP211 with a grade of "B" or better.	Critical course 13- Week Late Start		2
IPP218	English to ASL Consecutive Interpreting	Prerequisites: (Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program or permission of Department or Division) and IPP211 with a grade of "B" or better. IPP215 suggested but not required.	Critical course 13- Week Late Start		2

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
IPP209	Introduction to Educational Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in IPP205 or permission of Department or Division. ASL200 recommended.	2
IPP216	ASL To English Simultaneous Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of "B" or better in IPP215, or permission of Department or Division.	3
IPP219	English to ASL Simultaneous Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of "B" or better in IPP218, or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	3

Term 11

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 11
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
IPP210	Research in Interpreting	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in COM225, CRE101, ENG102, and IPP207.		3
IPP220	Interactive Interpreting I	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in IPP211 or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	13- Week Late Start	3
IPP242	Educational Interpreting Skills	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in (IPP209 and IPP211) or permission of Department or Division.		1

Term 12

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 12
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
IPP221	Interactive Interpreting II	Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in IPP220, or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	3
IPP229	Interpreter Preparation Internship Seminar	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program and/or program director approval. Corequisites: IPP230AA or IPP230AB.	1
IPP230AA or IPP230AB	Interpreter Preparation Program Internship or Interpreter Preparation Program Internship	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program and/or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: IPP229. or Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Preparation Program and/or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: IPP229.	1–2

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
FYC = First Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry

MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of B or better in IPP211, IPP215, IPP218, and IPP220, and must earn a grade of C or better for all remaining courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=16452326).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Interpreter Preparation

Interpreter Preparation

Details

Average Salary

Entry Level Salary

Mid Level Salary

Expert Level Salary

Average Hourly Wage

Entry Level Hourly Wage

Mid Level Hourly Wage

Expert Level Hourly Wage

Typical Education Level

Projected Job Openings

Full-time Sequence

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Term 5

Term 6

Part-time Sequence

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Term 5

Term 6

Term 7

Term 8

Term 9

Term 10

Term 11

Term 12