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
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, 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

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.
  8. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

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 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.
  • 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

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 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

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 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 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

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 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during 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.