About the ASL-English Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) in the Center for Deaf Studies

The ASL-English 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 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 - Fall 2012

• Fall 2012 IPP Application for Admission (PDF), (DOC)
• IPP Application Reference Form (PDF), (DOC)

Please check eligibility requirements (ASL linguistics may be forgiven as pre-requisite) and include with your submission: application, a letter of interest, 3 letters of recommendation (or recommendation forms), and your transcripts. Letters/forms should be sent via email directly from reference.

Students meeting the pre-requisites will be informed and will be sent the location and time of mandatory screening.

For questions, please contact Shelley Lawrence at slawrence@ohlone.edu.