FAQs

 The ARC ASL-English interpreting program accepts a cohort of 20 students into the program each year. 

Applications for the program are available online each year by Feb. 1. Priority consideration is given to applications received by the first Friday in April. Applicants that satisfy the program's prerequisites will be invited to attend a mandatory screening scheduled for the last Saturday in April. Applications may be submitted after the first Friday in April, but will only be considered if there is space left in the cohort for that application year.

The application process and information about the screening is available at: IPP Application Process & Preparing for Screening Day

A new cohort begins each year at the start of the Fall semester in August. 

Apply and see how you do. If you are not accepted into the program then you might try retaking some ASL courses to update your skills. However, there is a policy that prohibits you from retaking courses you have already passed within the same district. So, if you took and passed ASL 1 within the Los Rios system, you can’t take it again within Los Rios. But you can take it through another district, somewhere online, or you can hire a Deaf mentor or tutor. There are various ways to continue your language acquisition so you are prepared for the application and screening process the next time you try.

Anyone who has not completed ASL 4 but believes they satisfy the fluency requirements to enter our program, can schedule an appointment with Rachel Kleist (Kleistr@arc.losrios.edu) for a placement test. This is usually applicable to Deaf students, Codas (children of Deaf adults), or others who may have grown up in close relationships with Deaf people and therefore have attained fluency in ASL outside of the classroom. Rachel will meet with you to complete an assessment and let you know what level of ASL you are placed in. If she determines that you possess the skills equivalent to students who have completed ASL 4 or above then you may go ahead and apply for the program.

The application process and information about the screening is available at: IPP Application Process & Preparing for Screening Day 

See: IPP Course Sequencing Document 

We are an immersion program all of our classes are taught in ASL and it is expected that you maintain a signing environment. The only time spoken English is used is when you are actively interpreting from ASL to English, otherwise our entire program is in ASL.

No. We've noticed that students who are still developing fluency with ASL are more successful in their learning when they learn in person. Interpreting is about communication and developing the communication and interpersonal skills required of interpreters happens best in person.

Students do work while enrolled in the ASL-English interpreting program. The amount of work required for the program increases over time and it is progressively harder to work full-time, especially during your final semester in the program. We know some students have to work. We encourage you to communicate with your employer early about needing a flexible schedule or finding a job opportunity that will accommodate your schooling.

During your final semester of enrollment, you will be connected with agencies and other hiring entities for internship opportunities. Many students continue into paid internships after they graduate and/or those internships lead to employment opportunities.

No. However, most interpreters aim for national certification through RID (the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) and 120 experience credits is required to take the performance portion of the national certification exam. A bachelor's degree - in any major - will satisfy the 120 experience credit requirement. You can also satisfy this requirement by having 120 semester credits from a combination of different colleges/universities,  and/or through workshops, trainings and work experience. More information about educational requirements for RID national certification can be found here: https://rid.org/certification/alternative-pathway-program/ 

To make full-time work as an interpreter a viable option for you, you’ll want to work towards certification. There are job opportunities without becoming certified and many of our students do begin working after they complete the program but to be eligible for a wide range of jobs and at a rate of pay that you can live on, you’ll want to seek certification.

No. A certificate of completion or an associates degree are awarded by educational institutions and indicates that someone has successfully completed a training program or course of study. These documents shows that the individual has met the course requirements and gained the necessary knowledge to perform tasks related to the training - in this case interpreting.

Being a certified interpreter means an individual has passed a formal, standardized certification process that assesses their language skills and interpreting ability.

Our interpreting program provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary so you are prepared to pass your certification exam when the time comes. Certification is currently administered through the Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters (https://www.casli.org/)