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
60
Catalog Year
2023-2024
Effective Term
Spring 2024
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.
There are two options:
1) A one-year full-time day program
2) A two-year part-time evening program
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 Show expanded career information for Interpreters and Translators
* 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 Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
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 | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); Second 8 weeks |
4 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | 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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL200 | Issues and Resources | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 | ||
| ASL201 | American Sign Language III | Critical course Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); First 8 weeks |
4 | ||
| ASL202 | American Sign Language IV | 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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL110 | Fingerspelling | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 | ||
| ASL203 | American Sign Language V | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 4 | ||
| ASL204 | Comparative Linguistics: ASL/English | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 | ||
| IPP205 | Introduction to Interpreting | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 | ||
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL212 | Deaf Culture | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | C | 3 | |
| IPP198 | Careers in Deaf Studies: Observation | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 1 | ||
| IPP207 | Ethics and Decision Making for ASL/English Interpreters | 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 | L | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPP209 | Introduction to Educational Interpreting | 2 | |||
| IPP210 | Research in Interpreting | 3 | |||
| IPP211 | Preparation for Interpreting | First 3 Weeks | 1 | ||
| IPP215 | ASL to English Consecutive Interpreting | Critical course 13- Week Late Start | 2 | ||
| IPP218 | English to ASL Consecutive Interpreting | Critical course 13- Week Late Start | 2 | ||
| IPP220 | Interactive Interpreting I | 13- Week Late Start | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPP216 | ASL To English Simultaneous Interpreting | 3 | |||
| IPP219 | English to ASL Simultaneous Interpreting | 3 | |||
| IPP221 | Interactive Interpreting II | 3 | |||
| IPP229 | Interpreter Preparation Internship Seminar | 1 | |||
| IPP230AA or IPP230AB |
Interpreter Preparation Program Internship or Interpreter Preparation Program Internship | 1–2 | |||
| IPP242 | Educational Interpreting Skills | 1 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
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 | 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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL102 | American Sign Language II | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); Second 8 weeks |
4 | ||
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL200 | Issues and Resources | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 | ||
| ASL201 | American Sign Language III | Critical course Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); First 8 weeks |
4 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL202 | American Sign Language IV | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333); Second 8 weeks |
4 | ||
| IPP205 | Introduction to Interpreting | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL203 | American Sign Language V | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 4 | ||
| IPP198 | Careers in Deaf Studies: Observation | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 1 |
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 | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 | ||
| IPP207 | Ethics and Decision Making for ASL/English Interpreters | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 2 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL110 | Fingerspelling | Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Deaf Studies (5333) | 3 | ||
| COM225 | Public Speaking | L | 3 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL212 | Deaf Culture | 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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM110 | Interpersonal Communication | SB | 3 | ||
| IPP211 | Preparation for Interpreting | First 3 Weeks | 1 | ||
| IPP215 | ASL to English Consecutive Interpreting | Critical course 13- Week Late Start | 2 | ||
| IPP218 | English to ASL Consecutive Interpreting | Critical course 13- Week Late Start | 2 |
Term 10
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPP209 | Introduction to Educational Interpreting | 2 | |||
| IPP216 | ASL To English Simultaneous Interpreting | 3 | |||
| IPP219 | English to ASL Simultaneous Interpreting | 3 |
Term 11
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPP210 | Research in Interpreting | 3 | |||
| IPP220 | Interactive Interpreting I | 13- Week Late Start | 3 | ||
| IPP242 | Educational Interpreting Skills | 1 |
Term 12
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPP221 | Interactive Interpreting II | 3 | |||
| IPP229 | Interpreter Preparation Internship Seminar | 1 | |||
| IPP230AA or IPP230AB |
Interpreter Preparation Program Internship or Interpreter Preparation Program Internship | 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=188804).
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