Interpreter Preparation Program - Center for Deaf Studies and Special Services
Program Highlights
 The Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) at Ohlone College prepares students to work as professional interpreters serving Deaf people in a variety of settings. Our program offers a basic interpreting background for students desiring to pursue a career in cross cultural communication. Although interpreting between American Sign Language
(ASL) and English is the focus, other modes of communication used by Deaf and Hard of Hearing people are presented.
The IPP curriculum includes courses in advanced ASL Discourse, Applied Linguistics, the development of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills, professional ethics and transliteration. A practicum experience with Deaf mentors is included for first year students and a semester long internship, where students are exposed to a variety of real working situations under the guidance of a Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (R.I.D.) Certified Interpreter, is required in the students' final semester. In addition to coursework, audiovisual materials are utilized to provide both group and individual practice in interpreting.
Ohlone College is a unique setting for interpreter preparation because of our large Deaf student population. The Ohlone College Center for Deaf Studies and Special Services has a staff of Deaf Educators. IPP students have the opportunity to interact with the Deaf Students at the college and become involved in the social and cultural activities of the Deaf Community both on campus and in the Fremont area. The proximity of the California School for the Deaf and the large Deaf Community in Fremont gives students opportunities to interact with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and to observe professional interpreters in a wide variety of professional, social, and cultural settings.
IPP Application for Admission
Application for Admission - Interpreter Preparation Program (PDF) (view with the free Adobe Reader software).
Qualities for Interpreters
The goal of an interpreter is to make communication as complete as possible between both Deaf and hearing people. Conversational fluency in ASL does not necessarily qualify a person to be an interpreter. Professional training is vital so that interpreters learn to convey the thoughts, feelings, words, attitudes and meaning of the messages
presented, whether those messages are spoken English, ASL or other modes of signed communication. Interpreters strive to be both bilingual and bicultural. Because the interpreting profession serves a population with varied communication needs and language proficiency, interpreters must be extremely versatile so that they can meet the challenges which arise in interpreting situations.
The qualities listed below are essential for a student to possess before beginning interpreter preparation: A strong interest in people, Objectivity, Flexibility, Good Judgment, Reliability and Integrity, High Motivation to Achieve, Good Physical
and Mental Health, Excellent Recall/Memory Skills, Fluency in English and
Fluency in ASL.
IPP Informational Meetings
Find out about the Program and the new Requirements for Fall 2008.
Fall 2007 Meetings
- Thursday, October 18, 4:00pm - 5:00pm, Room 1401A
- Thursday, November 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Room 2204
Please contact Sue Owen at sowen@ohlone.edu or (510) 659-6269 for space reservation prior to attending.
Spring 2008 Meetings
- Friday, February 8, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Room 6315
- Tuesday, March 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Room 6315
- Tuesday, April 3, 5:00pm - 6:00pm, Room 6315
Mandatory Screening Day for Fall 2008 Admission
- Saturday, April 26, 9:00am - 5:00pm, Ohlone College Cafeteria (Building 5, Second Floor)
- DEADINE for applications: Friday, April 18, 12:00pm
Eligibility for the Interpreter Preparation Program,
AA Degree,
and
Certificate of Achievement Program
The Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) is limited in the number of students it can admit to each class. Students must fulfill minimum requirements listed below prior to applying to the Interpreter Preparation Program.
Minimum requirements:
- All pre-interpreter students are required to take the assessment test OR provide sufficient proof of college level English and Math coursework:
- Completion of ENGL-101A or equivalent with a “C” or better
- Reading Clearance: Clearing ENGL-163 through the Ohlone College English placement exam or completion of ENGL-163 or substitution reading course from an approved list.
- Completion of MATH-155 (math for the Associate Degree) or any higher level college Math course or Math clearance on the Ohlone Math placement exam.
- Completion of 30 general education credits (1 year of college-level work) with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.
- Completion of Deaf Culture and ASL Structure (ASL Linguistics) classes with a “C” or better.
- Students must attend an all day screening. All applicants must be evaluated regardless of previous course work in ASL.
- A separate application, found online, must be submitted to the Division of Deaf Studies and Special Services usually mid-April. Exact date is posted on our website.
Policies for the IPP
I. Academic Policy for the IPP
Progression in the IPP requires taking courses in a specific sequence. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each course to continue.
If a student does not pass a course, it may be repeated the following year, dependent upon faculty recommendation and space availability.
If the same course is failed twice, the student will not be eligible to re-enter the IPP. Additionally, if a student does not pass two separate IPP courses anytime while in the program, he or she will not be eligible to re-enter the IPP.
II. Conditions for Progression in the Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP)
Reasons for Exiting the Program
Not passing grade
Should a student earn a grade less than a “C” in any class in the IPP, the course may be repeated one time only. According to college policy, courses assigned a grade of “I” must be completed within one year or the grad (“I”) will revert to a grade of “F”.
Stop-Outs
A stop out is defined as a temporary leave of absence from the IPP, available only to students in good standing. Re-entry into the IPP is dependent on space availability.
Students with the following circumstances may request a one-time stop-out while attending the IPP:
- Circumstances based on the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), 1995 regulations:
- birth of a child
- student’s own serious health condition
- the care of a spouse, child or blood parent with serious health condition
- Condition to Return
- A letter of intent to the Dean of Deaf Studies and Special Services and the IPP Program Coordinator.
- Space availability
- Completion of a student action plan
- Review by the dean and faculty of the IPP
Drop (Withdraw)
Students in good standing (earning a “C” or above in a course) may drop an IPP class without penalty. If the student is not in good standing, a grade of “F” will be awarded and for purposes of the program, will be treated as an earned “F”.
Condition of return is the same as above.
Degree and Certificate
Review academic requirements in the Catalog and in the Curriculum Guides. All students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review academic program requirements and/or have questions answered.
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- Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree
- Certificate of Achievement
Courses
You can view a schedule of classes offered using our online Class Schedule. IPP classes use the Subject Code "INT". Contact a counselor with your questions.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Interpreter Preparation Program
Upon successful completion of the courses in this discipline, the student will have acquired the following knowledge and skills:
- Display the ability to create and maintain professional relationships and appropriate cultural sensitivities with various stakeholders including members of the deaf community, professional interpreters, and interpreter agencies through effective interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills by assessing potential demands of various interpreting situations and construct appropriate responses to mitigate those demands, and by applying and defending appropriate decision-making skills when ethical dilemmas arise.
- Perform entry-level Sign Language Interpreting skills in post-secondary educational and/or community settings.
Faculty
-
 Shelley Lawrence
Professor
Voice/VP (510) 659-6275
TTY (510) 659-6112
Fax (510) 659-6032
slawrence@ohlone.edu
B.A., California State University, Northridge
M.A., California State University, Hayward
-
 Tom Holcomb
Professor
TTY (510) 659-6083
tholcomb@ohlone.edu
B.A., Gallaudet University
M.S.,
Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
Ph.D., University of Rochester, New York
Adjunct Instructors
Career Highlights
As Deaf people pursue new fields, enter new professions and take on diverse careers, the need for qualified interpreters continues to grow. With the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), both public and private agencies and business are now required to provide communication access to their employees. Interpreters are needed to
work in public schools, universities, law enforcement agencies, courts, medical centers, libraries, government offices, public services agencies, on-the-job training in virtually all walks of life. Interpreters work in private practice (freelance), in-house, on staff, or are contacted by agencies which provide interpreting services.
Ohlone IPP graduates have filled positions in community, educational and business settings which require interpreters or interpreter Supervisors. Some graduates choose to continue their education and pursue degrees in Counseling, Social Work, Deaf Education or other fields of study which incorporate their skills gained in the IPP.
Successful IPP graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in the field and with experience are expected to be able to take the current Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf performance test after working a few years. Most graduates have also taken and passed the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written test on knowledge and ethics.
Interpreting Workshops
Every semester we offer at least one class (often more) for working interpreters as well as other qualified students. Acceptance in the IPP are not required to take these classes. Some are semester long courses, others are 9-18 hour courses which meet over a weekend or two. These courses are offered for college credit and students may also earn CEUs.
To register for these courses, please contact:
To learn more about the content of these courses, contact:
Helpful Links
The Center for Deaf Studies and Special Services's Helpful Links page contains websites of interest to IPP students.
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