Academics

Interpreter Preparation

Interpreting happens whenever people do not share a common language, but need or want to communicate with each other, share information or conduct business. Sign language interpreters facilitate communication between people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear.

“Good interpreters understand the weight of responsibility they carry with them everyday.” – Tammy J. Arvin, former ICC student

The Illinois Central College Interpreter Preparation Program has been preparing students to become American Sign Language interpreters since 1993. Associate professor and current coordinator of the program, Sue Sanders, was in the first graduating class.

“During my career I have interpreted in a variety of settings; education, human services, employment, medical, and mental health. From emergency calls in the night to formal situations or staff trainings, professional interpreters can be called to interpret almost anywhere. It has been a humbling experience to interpret at many life events, including birth and death. I love the diverse opportunities that being a sign langauge interpreter has allowed me to experience.” – Susan Sanders, ICC Associate Professor and Interpret Preparation Program Coordinator

If you are the type of person who is fascinated with language, wants to work in a dynamic and diverse career or just wants to improve your ability to communicate with the hard of hearing then the ICC Interpreter Preparation Program might be right for you.

“The instruction was absolutely wonderful! I could not have imagined the instruction to be any different. I was able to walk into a job and completely blow them away with the knowledge I left the program with as a first year grad.” – Emily Mings, former ICC student.

Learn, Participate, Grow

At ICC we know that there is so much more to learning than just sitting in a classroom and that’s why we give you the help and tools you need to grow outside of class. Students are encouraged to join SIGN Club, which provides opportunities every year for networking – meeting both interpreters and deaf people. Learning a language like ASL requires continuous growth.

“Good interpreters are life-long learners and commit themselves to ongoing professional development. In particular, I felt that the program did an excellent job of preparing us for this aspect.” – Tammy J. Arvin

Growing Job Market

Our world is becoming smaller everyday with the growth of technology and as it becomes smaller our communication needs grow larger. There are over 70 million deaf people in the world today and employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 46 percent from 2012 to 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Those pursuing a career as an interpreter will find no shortage of work.

I was able to walk into a job and completely blow them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about enrolling in the Interpreter Preparation Program? Here are some questions that prospective student frequently ask!

---

Degree

Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 64

Program Requirements

Select a course number below to see a course description.

Required General Education Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
ENGL 110	COMPOSITION I	3
COMM 110	INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION: PRESENTATION AND THEORY	3
	SOCIAL SCIENCE *	3
	LABORATORY SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS *	7
	HUMANITIES *	3

Required Program Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
IPP 110	AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I	4
IPP 111	AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II	4
IPP 112	AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III	3
IPP 115	DEAF CULTURE I	3
IPP 118	AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: FINGERSPELLING AND NUMBERING I	2
IPP 120	INTRODUCTION TO INTERPRETING	2
IPP 121	PRACTICAL AND ETHICAL APPLICATIONS OF INTERPRETING	3
IPP 210	AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV	3
IPP 211	AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE V	3
IPP 216	OCCUPATIONAL INTERPRETING	3
IPP 220	INTERPRETING I	3
IPP 221	INTERPRETING II	3
IPP 230	VOICE INTERPRETING I	3
IPP 231	VOICE INTERPRETING II	3
IPP 260	INTERPRETING INTERNSHIP	3

* See specific requirements for Associate in Applied Science Degree.

Recommended Course Sequence

Semester	Courses
Fall Semester 1	IPP 110; IPP 115; IPP 120; ENGL 110; COMM 110
Spring Semester 1	IPP 111; IPP 118; IPP 121; Social Science; Mathematics/Science
Summer Semester	IPP 112
Fall Semester 2	IPP 210; IPP 216; IPP 220; IPP 230; Mathematics/Science
Spring Semester 2	IPP 211; IPP 221; IPP 231; IPP 260; Humanities

Program Contact Information

Humanities Department

Room 315B
(309) 694-5342

Career Pathway

Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.