As a graduate of Lansing Community College's Sign Language Interpreter Program, you'll be ready to find employment in both public and private enterprises while providing a vital public service. Once you've become fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), you'll be ready to use this highly specialized skill-set to embark on a rewarding career. ASL interpreters not only help the deaf community to communicate in their day-to-day lives, but bolster deaf community culture through inclusion.
Sign Language Club
Check out our Facebook groups:
Sign Language FAQ
Will I be an interpreter when I finish this program?
The Associates in Applied Arts attests that a student has completed the program, but is not an interpreting credential. You will have to take and pass one of the credentialing tests available in the state of Michigan. The Year Three Professional Program focuses specifically on test-taking skills!
Is there a demand for interpreters?
Yes! the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics found in 2012 that job opportunities for interpreters and translators is expected to grow 42%, much faster than average, in the next decade.
Do I need a degree to be an interpreter?
Interpreters need to know a little bit about a vast array of subjects. The more classes you take, the higher education you have and the easier the interpreting process will become. Also, all interpreter credential tests require a minimum education level.
When are classes offered?
Year One classes are offered all times of the day and evening. Year Two and Year Three classes are only offered at night.
I need a different SIGN class schedule. Who do I talk to?
Any of the Sign Language Advisors. They can tell you which classes are flexible and can be taken any time, as well as which classes are rigid and must be taken in order; or are only offered specific semesters.
Is it possible to complete this program with a 40-hour/week job?
Absolutely! Students do it every year, and many of our students drive long distances to come to LCC.
How do I get my SIGN credits from another school to transfer?
How do I test out of a SIGN class?
You arrange for a Skills Assessment. Sign Language Advisors are available to proctor Skills Assessments after any Sign Language Advising Seminar. The results of your assessment will determine your placement in our ASL classes, and if your credits will transfer.
When should I send my previous transcripts to LCC?
As soon as they are complete with a final grade reflected. If there are no grades for the SIGN classes, we can't accept those credits.
I have some credits to transfer. When will they show up on my LCC transcripts?
When you apply for graduation, we will do a check of your total institutional credits and will apply any SIGN transfer credits at that time.
Where will I get all those Practicum hours?
Year Two Practicum will be completed at various sites, depending on where you live. We have partnerships with interpreters, agencies, schools, hospitals, and Deaf community members in over 66 cites all over the state of Michigan.
Year Three Practicum hours will be completed mostly at LCC. You will be supervising the Year Two students in classrooms at LCC, or working in groups at the library.
What can I do for fun? Do you have a student organization?
We have the Sign Language Club (SLC), which manages all of our student outreach activities. Students sit on the SLC Board, and are in charge of managing:
- Mentorship Program (advanced students are paired with beginners)
- LCC Sync (student performance interpreting)
- Sip n' Sign (meets during the week to practice and use ASL)
- Deaf Coffee Chat (community gathering in Lansing)
I just want to learn ASL. Can I take just the language classes?
Yes. Contact a Sign Language Program Advisor and tell them you're taking classes for personal interest, and you'd like an override.
Interpreter Training Program Screening
Who can screen?
Students who have successfully completed or are currently enrolled in SIGN 163 (ASL 3), SIGN 166 (Fingerspelling), SIGN 167 (Beginning Sign to Voice), and SIGN 170 (Expressive/Receptive ASL).
When is the screening?
The Interpreter Training Program Screening will be the third week in July.
How do I sign up?
The application will be made available on a D2L course site. Directions on how to turn in the application and sign up for a day/time to screen will be provided in the application packet.
Sign Language Media Productions
SIGNcubed Flash Mob
On April 15, 2015, the LCC Sign Language Program's event SIGNcubed conducted a flash mob in the LCC Gannon Building Commons Area. Around 30 students and faculty were a part of this event!
The idea of the flash mob is that a song started playing and a few people began dancing to it. Everyone around the dancers were surprised, but then, people from the "surprised" audience started joining the dance group until all Sign Language participants were on stage.
LCC Media Services students were present in the Commons and filmed the event.
Advising
Contact the Center for Academic & Career Pathways for an appointment to answer your individual questions.
Center for Academic & Career Pathways
517-483-1999
Academic Advising
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Sign Language Interpreter, AAA
Overview
The Sign Language Interpreter is a person specially trained to facilitate communication between the deaf, hard of hearing and hearing communities. Employment opportunities may be in educational settings, freelance, or contracted with agencies to provide interpreter services for deaf persons. Positions include those working with vocational rehabilitation, community service agencies, local school districts, gerontology, the Peace Corps, self-employment as freelance interpreters, social service agencies, communication facilities, college and universities.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Admissions Requirements
LCC is an open enrollment college serving all those who are excited to learn. Applicants seeking financial aid must possess a high school diploma or GED.
Career Opportunities With A Bachelor's Degree
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Career: Interpreters and Translators
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Currently Employed
In the Lansing Region
Employment Growth
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Career: N/A Two
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Career: N/A Three
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Employment Prospects
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Annual Job Openings
Annual openings are expected in the Greater Lansing Area.
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Annual Job Openings
Annual openings are expected in the Greater Lansing Area.
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Expected Earnings
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Hourly Earnings
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Median Earnings
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Transferability
General education requirements may differ from one institution to another. Contact your preferred institutions and plan their general education requirements accordingly with an LCC advisor.
Sign Language Interpreter, CA
Overview
The Sign Language Interpreter is a person specially trained to facilitate communication between the deaf, hard of hearing and hearing communities. Employment opportunities may be in educational settings, freelance, or contracted with agencies to provide interpreter services for deaf persons. Positions include those working with vocational rehabilitation, community service agencies, local school districts, gerontology, the Peace Corps, self-employment as freelance interpreters, social service agencies, communication facilities, college and universities.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Admissions Requirements
LCC is an open enrollment college serving all those who are excited to learn. Applicants seeking financial aid must possess a high school diploma or GED.
Career Opportunities With A Bachelor's Degree
-
Career: Interpreters and Translators
Error loading job description.
Currently Employed
In the Lansing Region
Employment Growth
Projected industry growth next 10 years.
Field Stats
The percentage of males versus females working in the field.
Gender MaleGender FemaleEducation Attainment Levels
- Error loading education statistics
- Error loading education statistics
- Error loading education statistics
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- Error loading education statistics
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-
Career: N/A One
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Currently Employed
In the Lansing Region
Employment Growth
Projected industry growth next 10 years.
Field Stats
The percentage of males versus females working in the field.
Gender MaleGender FemaleEducation Attainment Levels
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- Error loading education statistics
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Career: N/A Two
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Currently Employed
In the Lansing Region
Employment Growth
Projected industry growth next 10 years.
Field Stats
The percentage of males versus females working in the field.
Gender MaleGender FemaleEducation Attainment Levels
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Career: N/A Three
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Currently Employed
In the Lansing Region
Employment Growth
Projected industry growth next 10 years.
Field Stats
The percentage of males versus females working in the field.
Gender MaleGender FemaleEducation Attainment Levels
- Error loading education statistics
- Error loading education statistics
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Employment Prospects
-
Career: Interpreters and Translators
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Current Job Postings
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Annual Job Openings
Annual openings are expected in the Greater Lansing Area.
-
Career: N/A One
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Current Job Postings
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Annual Job Openings
Annual openings are expected in the Greater Lansing Area.
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Career: N/A Two
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Annual Job Openings
Annual openings are expected in the Greater Lansing Area.
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Career: N/A Three
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Annual Job Openings
Annual openings are expected in the Greater Lansing Area.
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Expected Earnings
-
Career: Interpreters and Translators
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Hourly Earnings
The average hourly wages of those working in this field.
Median Earnings
The median annual wages of those working in this field.
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Annual Earnings by Percentile
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Career: N/A One
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