What kind of training do I need to be an interpreter?

Interpreting is a challenging, enriching career.  It requires a wide range of linguistic skills in at least two languages, along with ethical and interpersonal skills. If you are interested in a career as a professional interpreter, we highly recommend getting the training you need to become credentialed and certified. Interpreter Preparation Programs (IPP) range in length from 2-4+ year programs. You will need a BA to sit for the RID NIC exam for national certification starting in 2012.  You can check the RID website listed above for more details.   The BA can be in any subject, not just interpreting.

In addition to and in conjunction with formal training, involvement with and commitment to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deaf Blind communities is invaluable preparation for your interpreting work.  Get involved by volunteering and attending social events and community functions...hanging out is FUN!

Programs offering Interpreting Degrees

Northwest:

University of Northern Colorado, Distance Opportunities for Interpreter Training (DOIT)  BA in ASL/Interpreting

http://www.unco.edu/doit/

Spokane Falls Community College, WA state

http://www.spokanefalls.edu/TechProf/HumanServices/Interpreter_CM.aspx

Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR

BA degree in ASL Interpreting or in ASL.

http://www.wou.edu/education/sped/bsbai.php

Portland Community College

http://www.pcc.edu/programs/sign-language/

Seattle Central Community College

http://www.seattlecentral.edu/programs/deafinterpreter/

East Coast:

Gallaudet University Regional Interpreter Education Center

Washington D.C.

http://guriec.gallaudet.edu/

West Coast:

California State University Northridge

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/deafstudies.html

State by state listing:

http://multilingualbooks.com/aslschools.html

CANADA

http://www.douglas.bc.ca/programs/sign-language.html

RID Standard Practice Paper:

Professional Sign Language Interpreting

http://www.rid.org/UserFiles/File/pdfs/Standard

_Practice_Papers/Drafts_June_2006/Professional_

Sign_Language_Interpreter_SPP(1).pdf
 

 Interpreter websites

National Sign Language and Interpreting Conference

http://www.nslic.com/nslic.com/home.html

CATIE Center Heath care Interpreting

http://healthcareinterpreting.org/new/

World Association of Sign Language Interpreters

http://www.wasli.org/ 

ASL Intructor Resources

ASL Teachers Association WA state

http://www.aslta.org/