American Sign Language (ASL) - English Interpretation
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Program Snapshot
Your Learning Options
In-person, Hybrid
67-68 Credit Hours
Estimated Time to Complete
2 years (6 full-time semesters)
In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour
$176.00 | Calculate your costs
Why ASL, English Interpretation?
Discover the art and science of ASL interpreting by learning the foundational skills, techniques, and confidence in a safe learning environment with peers.
- Join one of the most rewarding careers in high demand for ASL English interpreters in Virginia.
- Learn the foundational skills and gain confidence for success.
- There is an industry shortage of ASL interpreters locally and nationally. Flexible schedules and work-life balance for part-time, full-time, or self-employment.
Paying for College
We are committed to using all of the available funds to help you gain access to a college education. In fact, more than 91% of our students graduate without any educational debt. In 2023, Reynolds Community College students received over $21 million dollars in grants, loans, work-study and scholarships with the average aid awarded totaling over $4,000 per student.
Payment plans are offered to break down tuition payments. Textbook Assistance and Laptop Lending Programs are also available. Be sure to explore all the types of financial aid available as well!
Why Reynolds?
We are more than a community college.
Reynolds is the key that unlocks the door to your academic and professional success. Here you will find a safe place to start. We will help you explore, dream, succeed, try, and try again. Our amazing faculty and highly personalized advisors, your Reynolds Navigators, are well known for guiding you to discover that "aha moment.” That means an outstanding college experience, less debt, more freedom, and a solid start on your future.
Our ASL program boasts best practices in the industry for interpreter training. Students will graduate ready to start their careers as professional interpreters.Businesses, schools, and community organizations across the Commonwealth look to Reynolds, first, to provide a pipeline of ASL interpreters to meet this critical need.
You will often see Reynolds faculty signing at signature events in Richmond and beyond. Whether for a late-breaking news event featuring the governor or at signature events happening in our community. These are the same professors cheering you on, and coaching students while they practice signing at live events on campus during their time at Reynolds.
Pictured here is Reynolds Professor and American Sign Language and Interpreter Education Program Head Carrie Humphrey.
Choose from one of our two key accreditations that will prepare you for job-entry upon graduation. The Virginia Quality Assurance Screening and Educational (VQAS) and Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). mean that our students move into the workforce seamlessly.
The most exciting moments of my Reynolds career have been the opportunities to team-interpret during the 2019 College Graduation Ceremony at the VCU Siegel Center . . .
Adriane M.
Class Highlights
ASL 208 - ASL for Classroom Settings
Focuses on teaching vocabulary and concepts used in elementary and high school subjects, emphasizing comprehension and production of content in American Sign Language, with a focus on clear sign production and conceptual accuracy.
INT 250 - Dialogic Interpretation I
Allows students to practice interpreting fundamentals, analyze interpretations using a Process Model of Interpreting, conduct research, practice team interpreting in an interactive environment, and prepare for standard interpreting evaluations.
ASL 220 - Comparative Linguistics: ASL and English
Analyzes ASL and spoken English on five linguistic levels, comparing and contrasting them with real-world examples. Explores similarities between signed and spoken languages and introduces basic ASL structure theories, emphasizing their natural language status.
Program Roadmap
Get all the details on our American Sign Language program, including class sequences, admission requirements, financial considerations, and more.
Additional Program Information
PURPOSE: The degree in American Sign Language ASL-English Interpretation is designed to prepare individuals for a career in sign language interpretation.
OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: A majority of full-time ASL-English Interpretation positions in the Commonwealth are found in the K-12 public school setting. The minimum requirement to work as an ASL-English Interpreter in the K-12 setting in Virginia is a VQAS Level III, an EIPA of 3.5 or higher, or National Interpreting Certificate (NIC) certification. Interpreters may also consider freelance and contract interpreting opportunities, including the expanding fields of video relay service (VRS) and video remote interpreting (VRI), which both utilize interactive video technology via the Internet.
NATIONAL CERTIFICATION: Successful completion of the 2-step National Interpreter Certification (NIC) process results in national certification as an ASL-English Interpreter, which may be maintained through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) via continuing education. As of July 1, 2012, individuals are required to have a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, as determined by the National Council on Interpreting (NCI), in order to sit for the NIC evaluation. For more information, please contact the ASL&IE coordinator regarding alternative pathways to certification (i.e., without a bachelor’s degree). For more information on the NIC, please visit www.casli.org.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission.
ASL-English Interpretation is a two-year, full-time course of study that enrolls new students annually to begin coursework during the summer semester with programmatic content provided year-round until completion.
Candidates for admission to the program must provide evidence of fluency in both English and ASL. Fluency in English is demonstrated by placement into ENG 111.
Fluency in ASL is demonstrated by completion of ASL 202 - Intermediate American Sign Language II with a "B" or higher. Fluency in ASL may also be demonstrated through a diagnostic interview with the American Sign Language and Interpreter Education (ASL&IE) faculty.
CONTINUATION IN THE PROGRAM: To continue in the program, students must achieve a minimum course grade of “B” (80) in each INT course.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing INT 233, INT 250, and INT 290, including research and presentations.
ASSESSMENT PREPARATION AND INTERNSHIPS: As part of the ASL-English Interpretation AAS curriculum, the student must receive a passing score on the VQAS written assessment and “B” or higher in INT 130 prior to initiating INT 280, Interpreter Assessment Preparation. It is typical for students to sit for the VQAS or EIPA performance exam during the fall semester of year 2. Initiation of INT 290, ASL-English Interpretation Internship, during the spring of year 2 is typical.
The Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) is a state screening, valid for three years, by which time the interpreter must be screened again or the credential is no longer valid. For more information on the VQAS, please visit http://www.vddhh.org or contact the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) at 1-800-552-7917 [V]. The Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) is administered by Boys Town National Research Hospital. For more information on the EIPA, please visit www.classroominterpreting.org.
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: The following fees are required for the American Sign Language - English Interpretation Program.
| Books and Supplies | $400 first semester; $200 for all other semesters. |
| Certification/Testing Fees | CASLI for NIC fees; contact VDDHH for VQAS fees; contact Boys' Town for EIPA fees. |
