Menu

Sign Language/Interpreting Department

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.


Career Opportunities for Sign Language Interpreters

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. 

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. 

Career Coach
Featured Events
Program Highlights
Program Preparation
Preparation for the program includes fluency in American Sign Language demonstrated by the completion of SIGN 104, (or the equivalent skill) and English fluency demonstrated by the completion of ENGL 1A.
 
National Certification
There are many specialties within the field of Sign Language Interpreting, but the focus of this program is on preparing the interpreter generalist. RID, EIPA, and BEI certifications are often pursued by our students several years after graduation.
 
Career Opportunities
There are an endless number of settings in which this communication takes place. Interpreters are employed by school districts, companies, government agencies, medical settings, colleges and universities, and more.
 
Sign Language & Interpreting Department

Building 66
asl@mtsac.edu
www.mtsac.edu/sign-language