Deaf Studies and Sign Language Interpreting Department
Our department mission is to increase the knowledge and inspire students and to provide a foundation of skills and knowledge in Deaf Studies and Interpreting careers while cultivating students’ professional dispositions.
The Mt. San Antonio College Deaf Studies Program's mission is to increase the knowledge and inspire students to appreciate Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority with a breadth and depth of rich histories, languages, cultures, and experiences; and prepare them for advanced degrees and careers with Deaf people while cultivating their professional dispositions.
The Mt. San Antonio College Interpreter Education Program’s mission is to inspire students and to provide a brave space to learn a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to interpret languages and cultures among diverse signing and non-signing populations while cultivating students’ professional dispositions: equity mindedness, ethical decision making, interpersonal skills, lifelong learning, and world knowledge.
Starting Fall 2024:
Coming Soon:
- American Sign Language Certificate
- Deaf Interpreter Certificate
Preparation for the Sign Language Interpreting program includes fluency in American Sign Language demonstrated by the completion of SIGN 105, (or the equivalent skill), English fluency demonstrated by the completion of ENGL 1A., Introduction to Deaf Studies, and Introduction to Interpreting. The Deaf Studies Associate and Certificate do not require a prerequisite.
After graduation, the graduates are encouraged to seek higher education and internship opportunities. Students can take credentialing exams such as the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI). With a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, interpreters can take the National Interpreter Certification (NIC). The State of California does not currently require a license to work as a general interpreter. Certification is the preference of hiring entities and consumers. There are requirements to work as an educational interpreter. Students will learn a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to interpret.
Sign Language interpreters are needed wherever communication happens between diverse signing and non-signing populations. This type of work requires interpreters of diverse languages, cultures, and backgrounds to work with a wide range of consumers. Interpreters are employed by video relay companies, school districts, colleges and universities, government agencies, medical settings, corporations, nonprofits and private businesses.
Building 66
asl@mtsac.edu
www.mtsac.edu/sign-language
