Program Description 

The AAS in American Sign Language-English Interpreting program prepares students to interpret English into ASL and ASL into English. The program promotes American Sign Language skills, an understanding of deaf culture, knowledge of the interpreter’s role and responsibility, theoretical skills in interpreting, and practical experience in interactive settings. Various settings in which the interpreter works are examined in addition to ethical decision making in relation to the role of the interpreter.

This program attracts applicants coming from various backgrounds:

1. graduates of two and four year ASL programs,
2. individuals with no degree but with prior knowledge and skills in ASL, and
3. beginning students.

Students who successfully complete ASLN 100: American Sign Language I and ASLN 103: American Sign Language II will be admitted into the program. Students who transfer into the program from other institutions must first meet with the Program Chair for skills assessment in order to determine placement.

Students within the program will need to achieve a “C” or higher in each course in order to continue in the program. In the event a student receives a “D,” it will be up to the Program Chair to allow the student to continue in the program on program probation.

Transfer Information

Students who complete the AAS in American Sign Language – English Interpreting can transfer seamlessly to NJIT in the BA program in Communications. However, without an approved articulation agreement, The NJ Statewide Transfer Agreement does not guarantee the transfer of credit/coursework when a student earns an AAS degree and continues on to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are intended to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. Students are encouraged to work closely with OCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore “Transfer Programs” on NJ Transfer www.njtransfer.org.

Career Information

The Associate of Applied Science Degrees are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to start employment upon graduation. Several of the A.A.S. degrees provide the opportunity for the student to gain work experience by offering internship credit. These degrees are usually technical in nature and prepare the student for certification and licensing exams necessary to work in their field of choice. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. OCC students can also utilize Focus2 Career, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers. To get started, log in through Ocean Connect.

Students are encouraged to keep track of degree requirements by using the “My Progress” screen on Student Planning. Student Planning can be accessed via logging into Ocean Connect.

Plan of Study Grid

First Semester		Credit Hours
ENGL 151	English I	3
ASLN 112	American Sign Language III	3
ASLN 115	ASL Grammar and Syntax	3
ASLN 125	Visual Gestural Communication	3
	Credit Hours	12
Second Semester
ENGL 152	English II	3
ASLN 105	Deaf Culture and History	3
ASLN 121	Interpreting Theory	3
ASLN 201	American Sign Language IV	3
COMM 154	Fundamentals of Public Speaking	3
	Credit Hours	15
Summer 10 Week
ASLN 162	Translating from ASL into English	3
ASLN 165	Translating from English to ASL	3
	Credit Hours	6
Third Semester
ASLN 225	Deaf-Blind Interpreting	3
ASLN 230	ASL-to-English Interpreting	3
ASLN 235	English-to-ASL Interpreting	3
Mathematics Gen. Ed. Requirement		3
Humanities or Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement		3
	Credit Hours	15
Fourth Semester
ASLN 260	Interactive Interpreting	5
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement		3
Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement		4
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	60