College of DuPage Offers New American Sign Language Interpreter Program

The new American Sign Language Interpreter degree and certificate program at College of DuPage will prepare students to become licensed sign language interpreters.

Recently approved by the Illinois Community College Board, the program consists of an Associate in Applied Science degree, the American Sign Language certificate and the American Sign Language Interpreting certificate. Upon completion, students can sit for certification examinations conducted by the State of Illinois and national accrediting agencies.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 38 percent increase in employment of interpreters and translators in the state of Illinois and a 46 percent increase nationally through the year 2022. Graduates from the program will be trained to become sign language interpreters, American Sign Language interpreters, certified interpreter in American Sign Language, educational sign language interpreter, deaf interpreter and sign language assistant.

Faye Campagna, instructor of Speech Language Pathology, said each certificate in the program consists of seven courses and are stackable, starting with the American Sign Language certificate. The degree builds off of both certificates by adding general education requirements.

"As the deaf and hard of hearing population continues to exercise their rights, the need for interpreters and people knowledgeable about this community is growing quickly," she said. "The new courses are designed to foster linguistics and examine this population's culture, while a new clinical practicum will provide students with real-world experience."

Campagna said the new program will appeal to a wide range of student needs, whether they want to become a licensed interpreter, have a loved one who is hearing impaired, or want to fulfill the foreign language general education requirement.

"Students earning the degree can also transfer to pursue a bachelor's degree in communicative disorders," she said.

According to the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, eight sign language interpreter training programs exist in Illinois and neighboring states. Campagna said the program is a nice complement to the existing Speech Language Pathology Assistant degree and new Hearing Instrument Dispensary certificate, giving College of DuPage a unique combination of programs that will benefit from each other.

"American Sign Language is a rich language with a fascinating cultural background," she said. "It's also a fun and iconic language that continues to grow in popularity."

For more information, call (630) 942-2259 or email healthcareadvising@cod.edu.