(Note: In order to become a Texas BEI Certified Interpreter, you must have an associate degree or have earned 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university.)
Interested in an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting career? Collin College’s Interpreter Education Program (IEP) can put you on a path to a personally rewarding career working with the Deaf community.
As an IEP student, your education will be based in a foundation of American Sign Language. Focus areas are language learning, interpreting skills and an understanding of Deaf Culture taught by Deaf professors.
Interpreting requires excellence in ASL and a thorough knowledge of oneself and one’s ethics because interpreters are privy to confidential information. To confirm adequate proficiency in ASL, IEP students are required to complete the IEP Language Assessment prior to beginning their second year in the program. Students must complete the assessment in order to continue in the IEP program. Students who do not successfully pass any part of the assessment may continue in the program but must complete skills development - including workshops, lab materials, and interaction with ASL Lab assistants, group study, community events, and online materials - that strengthens their language skills. Licensure Notice: Students who have been involved with the criminal system, please be advised that your background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.
Vaccination Requirements for Interpreters in a Healthcare Setting: As of January 1, 2012, the Joint Commission has a requirement that all on-site Contract Medical Interpreters are current on all immunizations. This has become known as “hospital ready”. Proof of Immunization records required: Hepatitis B (requires 7 months to get all 3 shots required), annual Tuberculosis “TB” screening and annual Influenza. Some agencies also require proof of MMR, DTAP, and Varicella. Contact your physician and ask for a statement of current vaccinations. If you do not meet all the requirements above, please schedule an appointment with your physician and obtain your needed immunizations. These immunizations will be required prior to some onsite observations.
Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with Collin College academic advisors. Also check the degree requirement of the intended transfer college prior to beginning this program to verify course degree applicability.
Pass/Fail Option
Non-degree-seeking students may take a sign language class as pass/fail. Degree-seeking students should not pursue this option. The pass/fail option will not satisfy the degree-seeking transfer requirements.
Note: Students may not convert a pass/fail grade to a letter grade. Foreign language classes, including sign language, cannot be audited.
