FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
- What is the difference between studying American
Sign Language (ASL) and studying Interpreting
between ASL and English (ASL-English Interpretation)?
- What does a sign language interpreter do?
- What is the job market for interpreters?
- What is meant by "qualified" or
"credentialed"?
- What kind of salary can I expect to earn?
- What are the requirements to get into the Interpreter
Education Program?
- I’ve heard you can get a Certificate or a B.A. from the
LaGuardia program. How is it possible to get a Bachelor’s degree
by taking a program at a Community College?
- What is the difference between taking the program for a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Studies: ASL-English
Interpretation and taking it for a Professional Certificate only?
- How long is the program?
- When and where are classes offered?
- If I am interested in a specialty area of interpreting like
legal, medical, religious or performance interpreting, how do I
pursue that?
- Will my previous college coursework transfer?
- Will LaGuardia’s Interpreter Education Program prepare me to
get my credentials? When I graduate, will I be a certified
interpreter?
- How much will it cost me to complete the program? Is financial
aid available?
- Can I work while attending the program?
- Does the program
include summer offerings?
- How can I find out about what’s happening in the Deaf
and interpreting communities?
- Where else can I get information about the field of
interpreting?
- How can I get information on American Sign Language and
where can I learn it?
ABOUT THE PROFESSION
1. What is the difference between studying American
Sign Language (ASL) and studying Interpreting between ASL and
English (ASL-English interpretation)?
Interpreting between two spoken languages, e.g. Spanish and English, requires that you
already know both of those languages and the way native speakers use them
within their cultures. Interpreting between ASL and English is no different. Learning ASL will provide the base of fluency that will be required in
order to successfully begin the study of ASL-English interpretation, i.e. the
ability to extract meaning from a message expressed in one language and produce
an equivalent meaning in the other language.
Many interpretation programs include the study of ASL as a part of their
program. At LaGuardia’s ASL-English interpretation program we have found that students who are already fluent in
both languages are bettered prepared to develop the interpreting skills and
knowledge that will enable them to serve their consumers well and garner the
respect of their professional colleagues. For information on how to prepare for the interpretation program by
studying ASL and Deaf culture, please visit the
Deaf Studies
A.A web page.
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2. What does a sign language interpreter do?
American Sign Language/English interpreters are highly skilled
professionals whose responsibility it is to promote effective
cross-cultural, cross-linguistic communication between deaf and
hearing individuals of diverse backgrounds. In order to understand a
message given in one language and produce an equivalent
message in the other language, they must be fluent in American Sign
Language (ASL) and English and must understand the cultures of the
groups with which they work.
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3. What is the job market for interpreters?
Sign language interpreting is a rapidly expanding field. There is a
great need for qualified interpreters with credentials. Interpreters
are employed by schools, government agencies, and private
businesses. They may work in medical, legal, political, theatrical
and many other arenas. Part-time, full-time, freelance and salaried
positions are available in New York and across the country. Many of
our graduates work with interpreter referral agencies as freelance
interpreters. This offers them flexibility in hours and job
settings.
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4. What is meant by "qualified" or
"credentialed"?
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires the provision of
qualified interpreters in a variety of settings. One important
measure of an interpreter’s qualifications is professional
credentials. Credentials are obtained by taking and passing an
assessment of your skills. The National
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) provides testing for
national certification. In some states, a state agency offers a Quality Assurance
(QA) assessment. However New York State does not have such a
credentialing system.
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5. What kind of salary can I expect to earn?
Salaries will vary depending on many factors. These include a)
education, b) amount of experience, c) credentials and d)
geographical area. (New York City is one of the highest paying
areas). Some interpreters work for a school system, agency, business
or government
organization and have guaranteed salary and fringe
benefits. Others work freelance, generally at higher hourly rates of
pay, but without benefits. In either case, there is a lot of demand
for good interpreters and it is a viable and satisfying way to
earn a living. You may want to call interpreter referral
agencies and school systems to get specific information about the
area of interpreting that interests you
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ABOUT LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S
INTERPRETER EDUCATION PROGRAM
6. What are the requirements to get into the Interpreter
Education Program?
The program is seeking candidates who are actively involved in the
Deaf community and can demonstrate fluency in both ASL and English
as well as an aptitude for learning processed interpretation. The
program does not require prior interpreting experience or prior
study in interpretation. Educational background and potential
success in an academic environment are key factors. The Admission
process involves:
- The Pre-Screening Application (application fee, form, essay,
videotape)
Only selected pre-screening Applicants will become Candidates
for:
- Admission Screening (screening fee, on-site reading/written response and live
panel interview)
- Notification Results of Admission Screening (acceptance into
program or other recommendations
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7. I’ve heard you can get a Certificate or a B.A. from the
LaGuardia program. How is it possible to get a Bachelor’s degree
by taking a program at a Community College?
LaGuardia has an agreement with the State University of New York –
Empire State College (SUNY-ESC) to
offer a joint program. Students may take the
A.A.
in Deaf Studies at LaGuardia, apply for admission
into the LaGuardia Interpreter program and then complete the B.A. in
Cultural Studies: ASL-English Interpretation through SUNY-ESC.
Students pursuing the B.A. degree use the LaGuardia interpretation
program as the Concentration (“Major”).
Applicants who have other AA degrees or the equivalent of 2 years
of college study and are fluent in ASL and English may also apply
for admission to the interpretation program for a BA degree.
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8. What is the difference between taking the program for a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Studies:ASL-English
Interpretation and taking it for a Professional Certificate only?
Students pursuing either the B.A. degree or the Professional Certificate will
take the same courses in the ASL-English Interpretation program.
Students who do not yet have an Associate’s level degree or
equivalent college experience may take the LaGuardia A.A. program in
Deaf Studies and then take the remaining, Upper Division courses for
the B.A. at SUNY-ESC, with the LaGuardia ASL-English Interpretation
program courses as the Concentration.
For those who already have a Bachelor’s degree or higher and
the broad-based education that implies, the Professional Certificate will provide
the content-specific course of study that will enable them to move
into or advance in the interpreting field.
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9. How long is the program?
The Interpreter Education Program is a two-year, six trimester
course of study. Applications are accepted in the Spring, and
students begin the program in the Fall, only. The courses are
sequential and build one upon the other.
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10. When and where are classes offered?
Regardless of whether you are taking the interpreting courses for a
B.A. degree or a Professional Certificate, classes in the
interpretation program are held at LaGuardia Community College.
There are three trimesters a year, Fall, Winter and Spring. We offer
evening classes and labs Monday through Thursday, depending on the
trimester. Most courses are 3 hours long and meet once a week. There
are 3 internships throughout the program some of which take place
during daytime (business) hours. Depending on the level an Internship Seminar
involves 8 – 10 hours of classroom sessions and 50 or 100 hours of
field placement.
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11. If I am interested in a specialty area of interpreting like
educational, legal, medical, religious or performance interpreting, how do I
pursue that?
Since the program has focus on educational settings, all students
have the opportunity to gain exposure to and specialize in this
area. In addition, in your internships you will experience a
variety of interpreting settings. However, these specialty areas require skills
and training beyond general interpreting. You must first develop
strong general skills in interpreting. Then, workshops, courses and
mentoring are available around the country. Whatever specialty is
your preference, get a good solid base in general interpreting
first.
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12. Will my previous college coursework transfer?
If you have taken courses in another interpretation program we will
look at the content and depth of your prior course work to see if it
is a reasonable substitute for a course in the LaGuardia program and
if so, you will not have to take the LaGuardia course.
For your general education courses, SUNY- Empire State College
will review your transcript. ESC accepts course transfers from any accredited college or university
in the country. There is no specific limitation on how long ago the
courses were taken, as long as the course content remains relevant.
They may also allocate advanced standing credit for other types of
experiential learning.
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13. Will LaGuardia’s Interpreter Education Program prepare me to
get my credentials? When I graduate, will I be a certified
interpreter?
The certificate you receive upon graduation documents your
completion of the program. The background, skills development and
theory learned at LaGuardia’s program are extremely beneficial in
getting your national certification. Upon completion of this
program, most graduates are able to pass the RID written exam. (Some
have even passed the performance exam). If you are active in the
interpreting field and within Deaf communities, and if you continue
to upgrade your knowledge and skills through mentoring and
workshops, you should be able to pass the RID performance certification
within one to five years.
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FINANCES
14. How much will it cost me to complete the program? Is financial
aid available?
Currently there is funding available for students taking the
interpretation program courses as part of a BA Degree or
Professional Certificate. The US Department of Education
provides student support in exchange for working in the field upon
graduation. Contact Rob Hills (718-482-5313 or roberth@lagcc.cuny.edu)
for additional information about the service obligation. The
current projected cost of the two-year Interpretation
Concentration/Certificate Program is about $9,300.00.
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15. Can I work while attending the program?
We recognize that many interpreting students must also work
part-time or even full-time*. Therefore, all our courses are offered
during the evening. Be aware, though, that in trimesters when you
are on internship placements, you will have to commit some daytime
hours.
Although we acknowledge that working while attending school is
difficult, our instructors have the same high expectations for all
students. We suggest you consider all the demands on your time
before committing to the program.
* We strongly discourage you from working as an interpreter while
a student in the program.
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16. Does the program include summer
offerings?
The
program curriculum does not include required summer course
work. However, some related course such as Advanced ASL and
Interpreting Labs are usually offered in the summer.
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GETTING INVOLVED
17. How can I find out about what’s happening in the Deaf
and interpreting communities?
The NAD, RID, Inc.,
NYC Metro RID and other local and national
organizations such as the National Alliance of Black Interpreters (NAOBI),
and state chapters of NAD such as the Empire State Association of
the Deaf (ESAD) all have newsletters you receive as a member. Check
out the bulletin boards outside the Interpreter Education Projects
office, C-203, and the Program for Deaf Adults office,
C-203, for
postings, or visit our Upcoming Educational Events
page.
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18. Where else can I get information about the field of
interpreting?
You can contact the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. at: RID
or (703) 838-0050 (V) (703) 838-0459 (TTY) or see related links at IEP
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19. How can I get information on American Sign Language and
where can I learn it?
LaGuardia Community College has two programs where you can obtain
more information about American Sign Language courses.
Depending on your level of interest you may contact:
- The Deaf Studies A.A. degree program which offers ASL classes
for college credit. You can get information about these classes by
contacting Prof. Carole Lazorisak, Deaf Studies Faculty Advisor at
carolel@lagcc.cuny.edu
Students may enroll in those courses on a non-credit basis, too.
Contact Amanda Polania in the Program for Deaf Adults at (718)
482-5324 or Amanda Polania.
- For ASL classes in Continuing Education, contact Kat Burland
at (718) 482-5024(TTY) or Kat
Burland.
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