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 2024-2025

Part 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
  TOTAL CREDITS  8

Year 1 - Winter

Courses    Credits
ENG 1510 Composition I 3
  or ENG 1510E Composition I Enhanced 4
  or ENG 1510S Composition I with Support 6
SLI 1020 American Sign Language (ASL) III 3
SLI 1030 American Sign Language (ASL) IV 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  9

Year 1 - Summer

Courses    Credits
ENG 1520 Composition II 3
SLI 1211 Non-manual Grammatical Features of ASL 2
  TOTAL CREDITS  5

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.

Year 2 - Fall

Courses    Credits
SLI 1600 American Sign Language Fingerspelling and Number Use 3
SLI 1150 Interpreting: ASL to English I 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  5

Year 2 - Winter

Courses    Credits
SLI 1550 Interpreting: ASL to English II 3
GenEd Social Science 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  6

Year 2 - Summer

Courses    Credits
SLI Course *Recommended Elective Course (or complete in Year 3 Fall) 1- 3 
GEN ED Mathematics/Science 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  3-7

Year 3 - Fall

Courses    Credits
SLI Course *Recommended Elective Course (or complete in Year 2 Summer) 1-3
SLI 2050 Principles of Interpreting 3
SLI 1501 Deaf Culture & History 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  6-7

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 3 - Winter 

Courses    Credits
SLI 2250 Interpreting: English to ASL I 3
SLI 1050 Linguistics Principles of ASL 3
  TOTAL CREDITS  6

MILESTONE: Meet with a counselor to apply for graduation.

Year 3 - Summer

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

Year 4 - Fall

Courses    Credits
SLI 2800 Interactive Interpreting 3
SLI 2900 Sign Internship 2
  TOTAL CREDITS  5
TOTAL CREDITS  62