Degrees Offered - Sign Language Interpreting (AAS) | TJC

Degrees Offered - Sign Language Interpreting (AAS)

Record details

Sign Language Interpreting is a rapidly expanding human service professional field that is expected to continue to grow. Interpreting is utilized in a variety of different life situations including educational, medical, legal, religious, mental health, rehabilitation, performing arts, business, Video Relay/Video Remote Interpreting and many others. There’s a nationwide shortage of interpreters and the demand is growing each year. TJC offers an Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language Interpreting for students who are looking for a unique and rewarding career. Opportunity for professional and financial growth is abundant. 

Our program at Tyler Junior College prepares you for a career as an interpreter facilitating communication between people who are deaf, hard of hearing and hearing. Our highly credentialed faculty will help you become fluent in English and in American Sign Language (ASL). We also offer extensive training in Deaf Culture and interpreting/transliterating (Expressive and Receptive). No prior experience is required. 

With your AAS degree and state board certification you can immediately start in your career field or continue your career path with a baccalaureate degree. 

Come join us for this wonderful opportunity to learn an exciting, practical professional skill and become a huge asset to an exclusive community. 

Catalog Year
2023-2024
Degree Type
AAS
Available Online
No
Available Hybrid
No
TSI
Complete
Degree Plan
Major Courses 50 Credits

SGNL 1301 Beginning American Sign Language I OR

SLNG 1304 American Sign Language I

 

SLNG 1215 Visual/Gestural Communication

 

SLNG 1321 Introduction to the Interpreting Profession

 

SLNG 1211 Fingerspelling and Numbers

 

SGNL 1302 Beginning American Sign Language II OR
SLNG 1305 American Sign Language II

 

SLNG 1307 Intra-Lingual Skills for Interpreters

 

SLNG 1347 Deaf Culture

 

SLNG 2301 Interpreting I

 

SGNL 2301 Intermediate American Sign Language I OR
SLNG 1344 American Sign Language III

 

SGNL 2302 Intermediate American Sign Language II OR
SLNG 1345 American Sign Language IV

 

SLNG 2302 Interpreting II

 

SLNG 2303 Transliterating

 

SLNG 1348 Vocabulary Development for Interpreters

 

SLNG 1350 Sign to Voice

 

SLNG 2266 Practicum (or Field Experience) – Sign Language Interpretation and Translation

 

SLNG 2431 Interpreting III

 

SLNG 2311 Interpreting in Special Situations

 
General Education Requirements 16 Credits
Every Associate of Applied Science degree plan must contain at least 15 semester hours of general education courses. At least one course must be taken from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts (language, philosophy & culture/creative arts), social/behavioral science (social and behavioral sciences/American history/ government/political science), and natural science/ mathematics (life and physical sciences/mathematics). Major Courses: 49
General Education Requirements: 16
Total Semester Hours: 65

Recommended Course Sequence:

Summer Semester Credit Hours

ENGL 1301 Composition I

3

BIOL 1408 Biology for Non-Science Majors I OR
BIOL 2406

4
First Semester Credit Hours

SGNL 1301 Beginning American Sign Lang. I OR
SLNG 1304

3

SLNG 1215 Visual/Gestural Communication

2
SLNG 1321 Introduction to the Interpreting Profession 3

SLNG 1211 Fingerspelling and Numbers

2

SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology

3
Second Semester Credit Hours

SGNL 1302 Beginning American Sign Lang. II OR
SLNG 1305

3

SLNG 1307 Intra-Lingual Skills for Interpreters

3

SLNG 1347 Deaf Culture

3

SLNG 2301 Interpreting I

3

SPCH 1315 Public Speaking OR
SPCH 1321 OR
SPCH 1311 OR
SPCH 1318

3
Summer Semester Credit Hours

SGNL 2301 Intermediate American Sign Lang. I OR
SLNG 1344

3
Third Semester Credit Hours

SGNL 2302 Intermediate American Sign Lang. II OR
SLNG 1345

3

SLNG 2302 Interpreting II

3

SLNG 2303 Transliterating

3

SLNG 1348 Vocabulary Dev. for Interpreters

3

xxxx x3xx Lang., Philosophy and Culture Core OR
Creative Arts Core

3
Fourth Semester Credit Hours

SLNG 1350 Sign to Voice

3

SLNG 2266 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Sign Language Interpretation and Translation

2

SLNG 2331 Interpreting III

4

SLNG 2311 Interpreting in Special Situations

3
Total Semester Hours 65

Courses titled in bold type represent general education courses. 

Mid-Program Exam: (Taken in SLNG 2301, Interpreting I) Interpreting majors must pass with a “C” or better to continue in the program. Exit Exam: (Taken in SLNG 2266, Practicum) Interpreting majors must pass with a “C” or better to pass Practicum and graduate. Must pass the State or National Board Exams to work as a certified interpreter. 

See Catalog descriptions for course prerequisites and co-requisites. Classes are typically offered once per year and in the semester sequence shown per semester. 

Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to upper-level institutions should consult an advisor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses. Students must have a minimum grade of “C” in each SLNG/SGNL class. In addition, for the degree, students must complete the General Graduation Requirements as set forth in the TJC Catalog. 

An associate degree is required before applying to take the Texas State Board Basic Performance Exam. Applicants also must first pass both a criminal background check and the state board’s Test of English Proficiency. Higher levels of certification are available including Court and Medical Certification. (See information on the Texas Health and Human Services Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters website). Candidates wishing to obtain the National Interpreting Certificate must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. For information, go to: www.rid.org

Gainful Employment Report
http://www.tjcresources.net/ge/Gedt-SLNG-161603/Gedt.html