The Interpreter Training program is unique in our ability to offer the opportunity to acquire basic American Sign Language skills to launch into a new career in the sign language interpreting field or to use sign language as a foreign language credit. Program courses are offered on campus, via distance learning, online and hybrid.

• Sign Language Interpreters facilitate communication between people who use sign language to communicate and hearing people. Graduates of the program have acquired the necessary skills to work with D/deaf and hard of hearing people as interpreters.
• American Sign Language (ASL) is accepted as foreign language credit in all Washington State colleges and universities as well as many post-secondary institutions in other states. ASL can open doors to new communication opportunities.

Those who are skilled interpreters, in addition to having a trade or profession, provide a valuable service to society, make it possible to provide equal access for the D/deaf and hard of hearing to all areas of employment, social services and education.

Students who have completed the outlined 63-credit certificate requirements may apply for the certificate by completing the Application for Education Certificate form, which is available in the Human Services Department office.

1. Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
2. Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
3. Translate spoken or signed messages simultaneously or consecutively into specific languages or signing systems, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
4. Read written materials such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports and transliterate or interpret material.
5. Refer to dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks as needed to ensure interpretation/transliteration accuracy.
6. Compile terminology and information to be used in interpretation/transliteration, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
7. Adapt interpretations/transliterations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.

• Graduates are employed in educational and private practice settings. Opportunities include: pre-school thru 12th grade, post-secondary (vocational training, community college, university, and graduate levels), mental health, social services, training programs, medical and legal fields, video relay, and many more.
• Graduates may find work locally, or choose to relocate within the state, region or nation. Employment is possible by contacting interpreter agencies, school districts, and state agencies.
• Interpreters are employed anywhere people need to communicate. Interpreters work in a variety of settings and situations, as well as communication modes. Interpreters must be competent in a vast array of skills and knowledge to be able to work competitively in a bicultural/bilingual world.