Program Details
Associate of Applied Science - ASL-English Interpretation
Associate of Applied ScienceTidewater Community College
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in American Sign Language-English Interpretation program is designed to provide the foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level employment or for continued interpreter education within the field of ASL-English Interpretation. Students will learn American Sign Language and sharpen their English skills, and learn how to translate between the two languages.
The American Sign Language-English Interpretation program is an intensive two-year full-time program that prepares students for employment interpreting between Deaf and hearing people within the community, or for continued interpreter training and education at four-year interpreter training programs. Students who complete the ASL-English Interpretation A.A.S. degree program will have the knowledge to take both the written portion of the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) and the knowledge portion of the Educational Interpreter's Proficiency Assessment (EIPA), and the foundational skills to prepare for the performance portions of both these tests, as well as pursue additional credentials following completion of the program.
Students must be eligible to enroll in ENG 111 and maintain a C or better in each program course in order to register for subsequent courses in the program. Some classes, such as American Sign Language classes, are to be taken consecutively and not simultaneously. Additional information about the admission process and program requirements is available online at tcc.edu (search keywords "ASL").
Outcomes
- Students demonstrate proficient ethical decision-making skills by applying demand control theory such as ascertaining the demands of a situation and applying techniques for controlling potential outcomes for optimal performance.
- Students will apply inter-lingual skills by accurately interpreting in both dialogic and monologic situations.
- Students will apply intra-lingual skills by accurately manipulating their first and second languages.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
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Program Successes & Highlights | TCC had 5 graduates in 2020-21, 3 graduates in 2019-20, and 5 graduates in 2018-19 in the AAS program in ASL-English Interpretation. |
Related Programs & Certifications

Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
Credit for Prior Learning | TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.
https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in American Sign Language-English Interpretation | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | American Sign Language to English Interpretation, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: Deaf Studies Specialization, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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27-3091.00 | Interpreters and Translators | Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-1124.00 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-1199.00 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | All postsecondary teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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