American Sign Language

American Sign Language

American Sign Language

This 28-unit certificate program prepares individuals to function as simultaneous and consecutive interpreters as well as translators of American Sign Language (ASL) and other signing systems employed to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing people, both voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice interpretation. This includes instruction in American Sign Language (ASL), alternative sign systems, fingerspelling, vocabulary and expressive nuances, oral and text translation skills, cross-cultural communications, slang and colloquialisms, and technical interpretation. 

Contact Us 

Araceli Calderón
Department Chair, Department of World Languages
(951) 222-8718
araceli.calderon@rcc.edu

Desere Patterson
ASL Interpreting Professor, QD 214A
951-779-3313
desere.patterson@rcc.edu

Sign Language Interpreting
CE
AS
 Major Units
28.5		 Typical Time to Completion
3 years		 Program Requirements

If you are interested in understanding our communities, how they’re formed and what influences their structures, while others are driven to take a more hands-on role to improve and advance our societies, you can explore other instructional pathways in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

RCC Interpreting Program FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about RCC's American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Program, including placement, required coursework, class schedules, and practicum requirements.

Desere Patterson
ASL Interpreting Professor

Email: Desere.Patterson@rcc.edu
Phone: (951) 779-3313
Office: QD 214A

If you use ASL daily, you may be able to test into a course level based on a skills assessment.

Our ASL 1–4 professors assess students' current skills and recommend the course that best matches their skill level.

If you are interested in a placement assessment, please contact Dr. Araceli Calderón at araceli.calderon@rcc.edu.

Discipline experts meet with students and ask questions that incorporate features from each ASL level. This allows faculty to assess students' understanding, communication skills, and response levels to determine the most appropriate course placement.

ASL 1–3 is required before entering the interpreting sequence.

If you are interested in pursuing the interpreting program, it is recommended that you take the following courses:

  • ASL 4: A full 16-week course offered during the Spring term only.
  • ASL 10 (Introduction to Interpreting): Offered during the first eight weeks of the Spring term.
  • ASL 20 (Ethics): Offered during the second eight weeks of the Spring term.

Students are encouraged to take ASL 4 concurrently with ASL 10 and ASL 20.

The remaining interpreting sequence is as follows:

  • Fall: ASL 5 and ASL 11 (concurrent enrollment required)
  • Spring: ASL 12
  • Fall: ASL 13
  • Spring: ASL 14

Students must also complete ASL 22 (Deaf Culture), which is offered during regular terms in person or online and is taught by ASL 1–4 professors.

The Associate of Science in Sign Language Interpreting (AS-SLI) also includes general education requirements. Students interested in pursuing the degree can receive additional information as they progress through the required course sequence.

  • ASL 1: Offered every term, including Summer and Winter.
  • ASL 2: Offered every term, including Summer and Winter.
  • ASL 3: Offered during the Fall term.
  • ASL 4: Offered during the Spring term.

The program is not offered entirely online and requires in-person attendance for hybrid (HYB) courses.

Most courses, particularly those later in the program, are offered in the evenings. However, students should be aware of the following scheduling considerations:

  • ASL 5 and ASL 11: Typically meet from 2–7 pm or 2:45–7 pm., two days per week, depending on course selection.
  • ASL 4: Offered once a year during the early evening.
  • ASL 10 and ASL 20: Both are offered as evening courses.

Students should review course schedules carefully to determine how the required classes will fit into their work and personal commitments.

Personal and life circumstances are the most common causes of delays in completing the program, followed by challenges balancing work and school.

Another important consideration is completing the required lab, observation, mentorship, and practicum hours.

Required hours include:

  • ASL 5: 18 lab hours
  • ASL 11: 27 observation/mentor hours
  • ASL 12: 27 observation/mentor hours
  • ASL 13: 27 observation/mentor hours
  • ASL 14: 92 practicum hours and an exit performance exam evaluated by a Deaf panel

Students must complete the required hours before advancing to the next course in the sequence. If the hours are not completed before the following term begins, students may need to wait a year to repeat the course or finalize their incomplete hours before continuing.

The certificate program follows the part-time course sequence outlined above.

Students pursuing the Associate of Science in Sign Language Interpreting (AS-SLI) will have different timelines due to additional general education requirements.

Students are encouraged to plan their coursework carefully to ensure they complete the required courses in the appropriate sequence.

Yes. Practicum, observation, and mentorship opportunities are available outside of normal business hours.

Required hours include:

  • ASL 11, 12, and 13: Each course requires 27 observation/mentor hours.
  • ASL 14: The final practicum course requires 92 hours, along with an exit performance exam evaluated by a Deaf panel.