Sign Language Interpreting

Deaf Support Specialist

Certificate

The certificate program in Deaf Support is comprised of 8 technical courses totaling 22 credit hours. A Deaf Support is responsible for assistance with advocating, educating and promoting community awareness pertaining to Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing communities. Their responsibilities involve supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers with independent living skills, informing them of community services available, and educating them in terms of their rights as they relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, they may assist with locating the latest rehabilitative and/or assistive technological devices. The Deaf Support Specialist Certificate program is designed to provide students with a foundation for entry level Deaf Support Specialist jobs.

Sign Language Interpreting*

Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Sign Language Interpreting is comprised of a combination of technical and general education courses. The degree requires 63 credit hours of designated coursework. Students must take a mid-program evaluation, the State Certification Basic Exam, as well as a program exit exam in order to complete the degree requirements. Students are expected to maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) in all program coursework. Students interested in pursuing the Associate of Applied Science degree are required to consult with department staff before registering for any SLNG classes.

The Sign Language Interpreting option is for individuals seeking employment as an interpreter. An interpreter is one who facilitates communication between persons who do not share the same language. Interpreting between Deaf and Hearing cultures is a process of communicating spoken English messages into American Sign Language or Signed English as well as rendering American Sign Language or Signed English messages into spoken English.

*Revised award title pending approval from THECB.

Program Learning Outcomes

Deaf Support Specialist Certificate

Graduates will demonstrate and apply the appropriate use of intakes and service contracts.
Graduates will be able to explain and give examples of the impact Deafness may have on their families.
Graduates will be able to explain and give etiology leading to Deafness.

Sign Language Interpreting Associate of Applied Science

The graduate will be able to identify and explain the interpreter's role to aide students in a post-secondary setting.
The graduate will discuss and interpret designated oral speech and post-secondary lectures using American Sign Language.
The graduate will be able to describe variations of interpreting and apply the appropriate interpretation mode depending on the Deaf consumers education level and upbringing.
The graduate will be able to distinguish appropriate behavior according to the Code of Professional Conduct for Sign Language Interpreters in various scenarios.

Advisory Committee Members

Hampton Huddleston. Med., COMS. Orientation and Mobility Specialist- Advisory Chair
Roland Quesada, BEI Level 3/Court Sign Language Interpreter/Sorenson VRS
Vanessa Vera, Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehab Counselor for the Deaf
Marla Martinez, Certified Sign Language Interpreter-Texas School for the Deaf, Austin, Texas
Jorge Solis, Certified Sign Language Interpreter-Community Interpreter
Sarah Carrizales - STC Alumni - Community Interpreter - Certified Basic
Gracie De Luna - STC Alumni - Program Specialist - Texas School for the Deaf Austin
Milca Hipolito - STC Alumni - Job Coach for the Deaf
Richard Givens - STC Alumni - UTRGV Lead Interpreter - NIC Certified
Paul Villarreal - STC Alumni - Community Interpreter - Certified Basic

Ex-Officio Members

Ernie Pena, Sign Language Interpreter
Melissa Ibanez, ASL Instructor South Texas College
Nora McAllister, South Texas College Sign Language Interpreter for the Deaf

Certificate

Deaf Support Specialist Certificate

Associate Degree

Sign Language Interpreting Associate of Applied Science

Deaf Support Specialist Certificate

TSI Exempt

Plan of Study Grid
Fall		Credit Hours
SLNG 1304	American Sign Language (ASL) I	3
SLNG 1300	Fundamentals for Deaf Support Specialist/Service Provider	3
	Credit Hours	6
Spring
SLNG 1305	American Sign Language (ASL) II	3
SLNG 2330	Advanced Techniques for Deaf Support Specialist/Service Providers	3
SLNG 1311	Fingerspelling and Numbers	3
	Credit Hours	9
Summer
SLNG 1344 or SGNL 2301	American Sign Language (ASL) III or Intermediate American Sign Language I	3
SLNG 1317	Introduction to the Deaf Community	3
SLNG 2186	Capstone: Internship I	1
	Credit Hours	7
	Total Credit Hours	22

Sign Language Interpreting Associate of Applied Science*

TSI Liable

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
ENGL 1301	Composition I ¹	3
DRAM 1351	Acting I ¹	3
SLNG 1304	American Sign Language (ASL) I	3
SLNG 1321	Introduction to the Interpreting Profession	3
	Credit Hours	12
Spring
SLNG 1305	American Sign Language (ASL) II	3
SLNG 1311	Fingerspelling and Numbers	3
BIOL 1408	Biology for Non-Science Majors I ¹	4
SOCW 2361	Introduction to Social Work ¹	3
	Credit Hours	13
Summer
SLNG 1344	American Sign Language (ASL) III	3
PHIL 2306	Introduction to Ethics ¹	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Fall
SLNG 2187	Internship I- Deaf Support/Sign Language Interpreter	1
SLNG 2401	Interpreting I	4
SLNG 1345	American Sign Language (ASL) IV	3
SLNG 2411	Interpreting in Specialized Settings	4
SLNG 1350	Sign-to-Voice	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
SLNG 2188	Capstone: Internship II	1
SLNG 2402	Interpreting II	4
SLNG 2303	Transliterating	3
SLNG 2434	American Sign Language (ASL) V	4
	Credit Hours	12
Summer
SLNG 2189	Capstone: Internship III	1
SLNG 2431	Interpreting III	4
	Credit Hours	5
	Total Credit Hours	63

¹: Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour General Education requirement.