Interpreter Preparation

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Interpreter Preparation is designed to emphasize skills in American Sign Language (ASL), spoken English, Deaf culture, intercultural communication, and professional behavior for interpreters. Additionally, theoretical and practical training in interpreting prepares students to meet Arizona* licensure requirements and/or 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. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is also available.

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

*May apply to other states' requirements.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Interpreter Preparation (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5332
Total credits required
28-29
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Spring 2024
Admissions 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, IPP230AB 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

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Demonstrate competency in both English and American Sign Language (ASL) essential to effective interpretation.
  2. 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.
  3. Employ self and peer assessment to improve the effectiveness of interpretation.
  4. Apply the rich cultural and historical knowledge of the deaf community to the practice of interpreting.
  5. Practice interpersonal competencies that foster effective communication and productive collaboration with colleagues, consumers and employers.
  6. Apply ethical decision making following professional standards, practices, regulations and laws.
  7. Synthesize research applicable in the field of interpreting.

Successful completion of this certificate 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 certificate. 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 Pathway Planner 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.

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
IPP209 Introduction to Educational Interpreting 13-Week Late Start 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 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
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
COM225 Public Speaking L 3

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
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
COM225 Public Speaking L 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
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 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
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 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
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

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

  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all 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/freeForm11?id=188805).

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.