Sign Language Interpreter (SLI.AAS)

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes represent broad areas of knowledge and skills developed over the duration of the program through a wide range of courses and experiences. These learning outcomes represent what a student should be able to know, think, or do upon successful completion of their program at Oakland Community College.

  • Students will apply knowledge, skills, and abilities to accurately complete interpretation tasks.
  • Students will be able to communicate in ASL at a functional level.
  • Graduates will use their degree to work in ASL-English Interpreting or a related field. [Data collected via graduate and employer survey.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the NAD-RID (National Association of the Deaf-Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.) Code of Professional Conduct, and the theory, history, and practice of the profession of interpreting.

Program Plan 2025-2026

Full Time - Fall Start

**Students should meet with an OCC counselor before attempting this plan of study**

Year 1 - Fall

Courses    Credits
SLI 1001 Orientation to Deafness 2
SLI 1000 American Sign Language (ASL) I 3
SLI 1010 American Sign Language (ASL) II 3
ENG 1510 Composition I 3
  or ENG 1510E Composition I Enhanced 4
  or ENG 1510S Composition I with Support 6
  TOTAL CREDITS  11

Year 1 - Winter

Courses    Credits
SLI 1020 American Sign Language (ASL) III 3
SLI 1030 American Sign Language (ASL) IV 3
ENG 1520 Composition II 3
Gen Ed Social Science 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  12

Year 1 - Summer

Courses    Credits
SLI 1211 Non-manual Grammatical Features of ASL 2
SLI 1600 American Sign Language Fingerspelling and  Number Use 3
SLI Course *Recommended Elective Course 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  8

MILESTONE: Students must maintain a C+ or better in all required Sign Language Interpreting Program courses, including required supportive courses, in order to advance from course to course and ultimately obtain the Sign Language Interpreter Associate in Applied Science degree.

*RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE SLI COURSES

Courses    Credits
SLI 1040 American Sign Language (ASL) V (offered: summer only) 3
SLI 1045 American Sign Language (ASL) VI (offered: summer only) 3
SLI 2910-2918 SLI Topics in Interpreting (schedule varies by semester) 1
SLI 2921 Interpreter Certification Preparation (offered: WINTER YEAR 3 only) 2
SLI 2922 Educational Interpreting: EIPA Bootcamp (offered: WINTER YEAR 3 only) 2
SLI 2925 Introduction to DeafBlind Interpreting (offered: FALL only) 2
  TOTAL CREDITS  

Year 2 - Fall

Courses    Credits
SLI 2050 Principles of Interpreting 3
SLI 1150 Interpreting: ASL to English I 3
SLI 1501 Deaf Culture and History 3
Gen Ed Mathematics/Science 3
SLI Course If recommended elective SLI course is not taken in summer, year1 then take: *Recommended Elective Course 0-3
  TOTAL CREDITS  12

MILESTONE: Students who score a C or below in any two courses in the program, including repeated courses, will be withdrawn from the program. See program handbook for details.

Year 2 - Winter

Courses    Credits
SLI 2250 Interpreting: English to ASL I 3
SLI 1550 Interpreting: ASL to English II 3
SLI 1050 Linguistic Principles of ASL 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  9

Year 2 - Summer

Courses    Credits
SLI 2150 Interpreting: ASL to English III 3
SLI 2450 Interpreting: English to ASL II 2
  TOTAL CREDITS  5

MILESTONE: Make an appointment to meet with a Counselor to apply for graduation for this degree.

Year 3 - Fall

Courses    Credits
SLI 2800 Interactive Interpreting 3
SLI 2900 ASL – English Interpreting Internship 2
  TOTAL CREDITS  5
                                                                                                              TOTAL CREDITS          2