Welcome to the Sign Language Interpreter Program!

Pierpont Community & Technical College offers the first and only Sign Language Interpreter Program in West Virginia. The Sign Language Interpreter Program has two degrees: The American Sign Language Communication Program (One-Year Immersion Program) and the Interpreter Training Program (Two-Years Associate Arts Degree.)

The need for Interpreters has escalated as a result of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) which ensures public access to individuals. The growing demand can be met only with educated professionals who provide quality service.

ASL Communication Program:

The American Sign Language Communication Program is a one-year immersion for beginning signers or those with no signing experience. This one-year program will provide the student with a 33-hour certificate.

This skills set program provides students with the necessary skills and training necessary to meet the ASL Proficiency standards required of the Associate-level ASL Interpreter Training Program.

Students must successfully complete this one-year immersion program or demonstrate proficiency in language skills in American Sign Language. Program graduates will not be certified interpreters.

Interpreter Training Program- (Tentative for fall 2005)

With an emphasis upon American Sign Language (ASL), the Sign Language Interpreter training program has been developed with special attention given to the Conference of Interpreter Trainers' (CIT) recommendations for standards and recommendations from various organizations including the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), National Association of the Deaf (NAD), West Virginia Association of the Deaf (WVAD), and the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WVCDHH).

Successful completion of the Sign Language Interpreter Program provides skills necessary to prepare for certification examinations.

Employment Opportunities:

Competent, qualified interpreters facilitate communication between deaf and hearing individuals, thereby allowing deaf individuals to overcome barriers to rights, privileges, and opportunities. Recent federal regulations require accessible communication to deaf people in a variety of situations. Qualified interpreters are now in demand.

While the majority of full-time employment opportunities exist in educational settings, full and part-time jobs are available in settings such as the following:

While the majority of full-time employment opportunities exist in educational settings, full and part-time jobs are available in settings such as the following:

- Education
- Social Agencies
- Medical Sites
- Mental Health Facilities
- Religious Institutions
- Vocational Settings
- Legal Sites
- Public Meetings

Income levels vary, depending on factors such as certification level, academic degree, work experience, interpreting situation, and geographic location.