• Where are classes offered?
• Who are the teachers?
• When are classes offered?
• May I test out of some courses if I already know some ASL?
• May I receive credit for classes taken at other colleges?
• How long does it usually take to complete the ASL Certificate?
• How long does it usually take to complete the Interpreting Degree?
• How long does it usually take to become a Certified Interpreter?
• What kind of salary can I expect as a Certified Interpreter?
• What other career options are there for ASL grads?
• What courses do I take when?
• How time-consuming are the studies?
• What if I just want to do this "on the side?"
• How much will the program cost?
• Can I afford college?
• How do I get started?
• When do I get started?
• How do I get into the Degree Program?
• How do I know which Books/Materials to buy?
• What can I do to understand all this "college stuff" better?
• Is there a phone number I can call someone?

Where are classes offered? (subject to change)

• ASL 101 (ASL1) is offered at various campuses. Sometimes ASL102 (ASL2) is offered at various campuses.
• ASL125, ASL150, INT130, INT235, INT236 are all offered online.
• Most other courses are at the Chesapeake campus.

WHY CHESAPEAKE?

We can better serve all of Hampton Roads

(including those on the Peninsula).

The ASL Language Lab has been developed and housed there.

Original grant-funding was developed for the program there.

WHERE ARE THE NEXT CLOSEST DEGREE PROGRAMS?

J. Sargent Reynolds in Richmond has a transferable degree in Interpreting.

Radford University in Radford, VA has a bachelors degree in Deaf Education.

Gallaudet University in Washington, DC has a masters degree in Interpreting.

CHESAPEAKE REALLY IS IN YOUR BACK YARD!  :)

See the TCC website for current schedules: Class Schedules @ TCC

Who are the teachers?

• Experts who work full-time in the field, keeping up to date with current standards. Each teaches one or two classes at TCC per semester.
• Deaf people with the proper credentials teach ASL2, 3, 4.  ASL1 is often taught by hearing teachers, but in an ASL-only immersion format.

When are classes offered?

• CAVEAT: Very few people do what we do for a living. Even fewer TEACH what we do. Our teachers are in high demand. They are available on a very limited basis. Therefore, course offerings are limited. If a course is offered and you have met its prerequisites, TAKE IT!!!
• ASL1is offered each semester.  ASL2 is offered as often as possible.
• Other ASL courses are typically offered only ONCE A YEAR.
• INT courses are definately offered only once a year.
• All courses are in a sequence. If you miss your chance to take it, you may have to wait ONE FULL YEAR before it is offered again and you can get back in sequence.

  See the TCC website for current schedules: Class Schedules @ TCC

I already know some ASL. May I test out of some courses?

• Yes, we have 'challenge tests' for ASL I and II. Students may be able to enter the Career Studies Certificate in ASL program at the ASL III level.
• If you can document English proficiency and ASL proficiency, OR you feel you are ready to take ASL5 (ASL261), you may take an 'Entrance Exam' to be placed directly into the AAS Degree in ASL-English Interpretation program.
• Call the program head to schedule an appointment: 757-822-5015.

I've taken classes at another college/university. Will my credits from there be accepted at TCC?

• For the most part, yes, if your other school was accredited.
• If you have a Bachelors Degree, you will probably only have to take Major-Related courses here. You have probably completed all your general education requirements. Bring your unofficial transcript to a counselor to make sure.

How long will it take to learn American Sign Language?

• Attaining relative proficiency depends on several factors:
  • Your knowledge, understanding, and proficiency in your native language. For most of us, that's English. Therefore, you will need to be proficient in English before entering the Interpreter Education Program. Your commitment to your own language shows your capacity for learning a second language.
  • Your commitment to getting out into the Deaf Community and meeting ASL users to naturally acquire the language as opposed to learning it in a classroom. It's how the adult brain works. Your classroom experiences can only lay a foundation, but they cannot replace true acquisition.
  • Your time and energy. You undoubtedly have a busy life: job, family, etc. How much of a priority will you make toward learning your new language?
  • Your cognitive capacity for learning a language.
  • Your coordination for learning a manual language.
  • Your flexibility! No two languages compare. Those who find it difficult to forget about English and its rules find it most difficult to learn ANY other language. Try this mantra: "Not wrong - just different!"
• At TCC, we expect you to gain relative proficiency in four ASL courses before you enter the Interpreter Education Program, where you will continue to take more ASL courses before learning to interpret between the two languages.

How long does it usually take to complete the Interpreting Degree?

• The A.A.S. is set-up for adult, parttime learners.
  • Night classes
  • Three major-related classes each fall and spring semester
  • General education courses during summer semesters
  • Begin major coursework with ASL5/INT105/INT130 in your first fall semester, ends in your third fall semester
    • For example, finishing ASL4 in Spring 2006, you can begin the Interpreting program in the Fall of 2006 and graduate the Fall of 2008.
    • This is contingent upon successful completion of each semester's coursework, which is prerequisite for the next semester's courses.

       

How long will it take to become a Certified Interpreter?

• We hope you will have the skills to pass the national certifying exam when you graduate with the AAS Degree in ASL-English Interpretation.  HOWEVER, we cannot make any guarantees. Think of this analogy: You could graduate from Harvard Law School and not pass the Bar Exam.
• People used to say 'between 5 and 7 years' - but that was before we had such great opportunities to acquire skills in an academic setting like TCC's. We are hoping you'll be certified much sooner!
• In the meantime, the Commonwealth of Virginia has a diagnostic exam which will help you determine your skill level and tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are (it's called the VQAS, for short).
• You can earn a living prior to becoming nationally certified by earning a 'level' on the VQAS screening.

Can I earn a living by interpreting?

YES! And then some!

• Gaining the skills to do the job takes time and commitment. If it were easy, everyone would do it. It's not easy. Therefore, the few people who DO get good at it are in HIGH demand, and can charge comfortable living wages.
• Pay is typically contingent upon your level of skill.
  • Local school districts pay approximately $19,000 for VQAS 0
  • Nationally Certified interpreters can earn up to
    • $37,000 annually in K-12 (with full benefits)
    • 50,000+ in private practice (with no benefits)

For further information, take INT130 online. It will provide you with the opportunity to explore the field of interpreting. It has no prerequisites, so you can take it any time it is offered.

You can also try this website - it has GREAT information regarding careers and the field of Interpretation: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf: www.rid.org

I know I want to learn ASL, but I am not sure I want to be an interpreter. What other career options do I have?

There is such a plethora of options that TCC has developed a one-of-a-kind course: ASL150. In this online course, you explore various career options and investigate your own career possibilities according to your interests.

What courses do I take when?

An academic advisor can provide you with official 'Curriculum Guide Sheets' which lay out the sequence of courses for both the Career Studies Certificate and the AAS Degree.  Attached is an UNOFFICIAL course sequence.  Here are some general guidelines:

• Career Studies Certificate in American Sign Language - CS: ASL (096)
  • Student orientation course (only 1 semester hour which can be taken on any campus at varying times - many meet only once or twice. Some are designed especially for women returning to college after being out of school for many years. See your college counselor for details.)
  • Two courses per semester
  • (optional - if you plan on continuiing on for the degree, you can start taking your general education requirements, which would give you a third course each semester while you are working on the Career Studies in ASL)
• Associate of Applied Science Degree in ASL-English Interpretation - AAS Degree (640)
  • 18 semester hours of general education courses (6 classes)
    • Take them whenever you can squeeze them in. Priorities:
      • English - to make you a better student interpreter
      • Math - to make sure you can graduate
    • You ought to start taking general education courses BEFORE being admitted to the AAS Degree program.
    • Completing ENG111 BEFORE you apply to the program increases your chances of getting in!
  • 47 semester hours in major-related courses
    • 3 courses per semester each fall and spring (on campus two nights per week for 3 to 4 1/2 hours, depending upon when online courses are offered)
    • 2 courses each summer
    • Finish major-related coursework in 2 1/2 years
    • Your major-related courses are your priority! If 'something has to give,' then let go of a general education course - you can take it any time, any place. On the other hand, your major-courses are only offered once a year and are in a strict sequence! Falling out of sequence can put you back an entire year, so stick with it.

How much time is this going to take me?

• The rule of thumb is: for every 1 hour IN class, you need 2 hours OUTSIDE of class to do homework, attend Deaf Community events, observe professional interpreters, and complete projects. That's 12 hours, for a total of 18 hours per week. We are talking about ACTIVE learning!
• The Career Studies Certificate in ASL can be done in an aggressive, 1-year formet; or a not-so-aggressive, 2-year format.
• The AAS: ASL-English Interpretation
  • The fastest you can complete the degree is two-and-a-half years, regardless of whether you are fulltime or partime:
    • You will take 3 major-related courses each fall and spring;
    • Successful completion of each is required before continuiing on to the next.  Courses are carefully sequenced, and only offered once a year, so falling out of the sequence can cause you to wait another year before you can get the courses you need.  So plan to work hard and stay in sequence!
  • Fulltime students can finish general education requirements during the regular fall and spring semesters as well.
  • Part-time students:  ASL and INT courses are not offered over the summer, so this is your opportunity to take your general education courses - 2 per summer.
  • All students can get a head start by taking these courses before they begin the degree program
  • Any or all of their six (6) general education courses (especially ENG111)
  • ASL220 (if you have already finished ASL3, you can take this indepth comparison of English and ASL course; online)
  • INT130 (there is no prerequisite, so you can take this any time - it is a description of the profession and ethics of interpreting; online)
  • Vacations: 3 weeks in August; 3 weeks for winter break; 1 week for spring break

I just want to do this 'on the side.' What are my options?

• This is a VERY consuming field. Some say interpreting is a 'lifestyle choice'. It is typically not done 'on the side.'
• Learning to interpret is even more consuming than doing interpreting. Most professional interpreter educators believe that learning to interpret cannot be done on a part-time basis at all. TCC's program is aggressive, but it is still considered part-time.
  • You MUST adhere to the sequence of courses due to their skill-building nature.

Can I afford college?

Of course you can!

• Check with the 'Financial Aid Office' on any of the four campuses to explore federal and state grants and loans.
• Check with the 'Women's Center' on any campus to see if they have any assistance for
  • Single parents
  • Women returning to college
  • Etc
• Ask your employer!
  • Corporations and government entities often support education for their employees.
  • If you are already interpreting in the schools, your district can most likely reimburse your tuition. Just ask your interpreter specialist!
• The ASL Studies and Interpreter Education Program is constantly searching for grant opportunities to give students assistance.

  Remember, a community college offers the most reasonably-priced education you can get anywhere! And TCC is one of the lowest priced among all community colleges!

How do I get started?

Prerequisites

• Career Studies Certificate:ASL - no prerequisites! Just come! Learn the language! On the college application, it is curriculum code '096.'
• AAS: ASL-English Interpretation - curriculum code '640.'
  • must be proficient in both English and ASL before learning to interpret between the two
  • English proficiency demonstrated by taking the college placement exam and receiving a grade that shows you are eligible to enter ENG111, College Composition.
  • ASL proficiency is demonstrated by passing the AAS: ASL-English Interpretation Placement Exam (details to follow) or by successful completion of ASL4 (ASL202)

College Application - TCC Admissions webpage

• Free
• Turn Application to any 'Admissions Office' on any of the four campuses - but it's best to turn it in at Chesapeake and claim Chesapeake as your 'home campus'.

Academic transcripts

• Official transcripts must be submitted to the 'Admissions Office' as soon after you apply as possible.
• Unofficial transcripts may be provided to your academic advisor in order to develop your academic plan.

College Assessment Test - TCC Assessment Testing webpage.

• Offered at a nominal cost at all four campuses.
• The website has up-to-date schedules.
• You must receive placement into ENG111, College Composition. In fact, if you have already finished ENG111, your chances of getting into the degree program are even greater!
• You may receive placement into 'developmental' courses to get up to speed on your English and/or math skills.
  • This surprises a lot of people -Development courses don't apply to any degree, but they get you ready to take regular college-level courses. So take the Placement Test NOW! In case you need to develop those skills!
  • Also, if math is weak for you, get going on it RIGHT NOW! It can be the one course that keeps you from graduating!

ASL Studies Placement Test

• If you want to 'test out of' lower level courses, such as ASL101 and ASL102, you can take a challenge/placement test.
• Call the program head for an appointment: 757-822-5015.

Enroll in courses - See TCC Enrollment webpage

• Students should seek counseling to determine which courses are right for them each semester.
• Students can enroll online or at any campus.

Tuition payment - See TCC Tuition webpages

• Charge card payments can be made by telephone in the 'touch tone enrollment' system or online.
• Payment must be made in order to hold your seat in a class.
• Early enrollment for any class, but especially your major-related classes, is advised for two reasons:
  • The class may fill up and you won't be able to get in (you can always try to 'crash').
  • The class may be cancelled due to lack of enrollment because you are not the only one who put off enrolling.

When do I get started?

• Any semester - for the Career Studies Certificate in American Sign Language.
• Fall semester - for the AAS Degree in ASL-English Interpretation.

How do I get into the Degree Program?

ONLY 16-18 PEOPLE CAN BE ADMITTED EACH FALL TO THE

AAS DEGREE PROGRAM IN ASL-ENGLISH INTERPRETATION

As of December, 2005, the Advisory Committee to TCC's ASL and Interpreting programs is discussing an effective way of choosing those 16-18 people.  Successful completion of ASL202 (ASL4) and/or the AAS: ASL-Eng Interpretation ENTRANCE EXAM will be required as a minimum.  Stay tuned for details. 

How do I know which books/materials to buy?

Simply go to the TCC bookstore on the campus where your course is offered. They will tell you which books and materials your instructor has ordered for your course.

What can I do to understand all this 'college stuff' better?

It's true - There is a process for everything. Therefore, it's a good idea to start off by taking the 'Orientation' course called SDV Student Development. It is offered on all four campuses at all times of the day and night. It requires a minimum amount of your time (and money!) to take. Taking it IMMEDIATELY will save you a lot of time and trouble (and possibly money!) in the end. 

Is there a phone number I can call someone?

757-822-5015