American Sign Language Interpreting associate's degree and
American Sign Language certificate programs

Beginning in the Fall of 2013, CCAC will be offering a NEW ASL Interpreting program which provides skill training for both educational and community interpreting. The American Sign Language Interpreting degree centers on providing students with the superior language skills and ethical competencies needed by today’s interpreters. Through interpreting labs, observations in schools, the community and internship placement, students become highly skilled professionals. Students who successfully complete the program will be prepared to sit for the Pennsylvania Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) license or the National Interpreter Certification (NIC). Students holding a bachelor’s degree would be permitted to sit for the NIC exam.

The program includes a practicum. Prior to the practicum requirement, students must be eligible for clearance through the Federal Criminal History Record (ACT114), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check (ACT34), Pennsylvania Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance Act (ACT151) and meet local requirements of the practicum placement site. CCAC's utilizes a Certified Background third-party to manage these required documents. Practicum sites should be based on whether or not you plan to be a community interpreter (and have a Bachelor's degree) or an educational interpreter.

The three semester, American Sign Language Certificate program provides language training and cultural enrichment for people who wish to learn ASL and the uniqueness of deaf culture. This program will not prepare students to become interpreters but is designed to introduce students to the language and culture. Students who complete this certificate are eligible to enroll in CCAC's credit Interpreting program.

Which Program is Right for Me?

CCAC has both a credit program and non-credit workshops to meet your educational needs. Below are differences between the two programs:

ASL Interpreting Admission Requirement

In order for students to register for the ASL Interpreting program, they must provide registration with proof of the following:

1. Successfully complete CCAC's 17 credit American Sign Language credit certificate OR

2. Present registration with photo ID and proof of attaining a minimum level 2 American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) score OR

3. Receive a level 2 score from a CCAC Administered ASL proficiency exam. This exam is administered each semester. Only students who have not completed CCAC's 17 credit American Sign Language program or have not taken the ASLPI are permitted to take this CCAC administered examination.  

CCAC American Sign Language–Interpreting (ASL) Pre-Admission Proficiency Examination Procedures for CCAC Administered Exam:

1. The exam will be administered throughout the summer months.
2. Students will register through the secured website Sign-Up Genius:
3. Students will be permitted to take the CCAC administered exam one time.
4. Students must score 2 or higher on a 0–5 scale.
5. Examination is 30 minutes in length.
6. Students will provide registration with an examiner-verified level 2 certificate. This will enable them to register for the ITP program.

To register for the CCAC administered exam, Go to www.signupgenius.com- "Find a Sign Up" Search under mbalfe@ccac.edu  Register for one 30 minute time slot.

CONTACT US

Michelle Balfe is the coordinator for the Interpreting program. She may be reached at mbalfe@ccac.edu during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Paula Busanic is the coordinator for the American Sign Language program. She may be reached at pbusanic@ccac.edu during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Please contact Dr. Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki during the summer semester (May-August) if you have questions related to either credit program. She may be reached at gmullinsawicki@ccac.edu

If you have questions related to the non-credit interpreting program, please contact Mary Jo Guercio at mguercio@ccac.edu

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