Interpreter Training Program & Deaf Studies Certificate (ITP & DSC)
Interpreter Training Program (ITP)
The Interpreter Training Program at Cincinnati State is a stepping stone toward competency in the field of sign language interpreting, including extensive coursework in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies. The combination of classroom instruction, experiential and self-directed growth, and community involvement creates a rich learning environment. Program graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Interpreting between ASL and English is a challenging and complex task. Students learning the profession must develop fluency in a language that is different from spoken languages. Once fluency is achieved, students must develop the skills to facilitate communication quickly and accurately between the two languages.
The skills required for success in Interpreter Training cannot be mastered through classroom attendance alone. Students must devote a great deal of time to study, practice, skill development, observation, and community involvement.
To complete the degree program successfully, students must be able to comprehend, write, and speak in English fluently.
Deaf Studies Certificate (DSC)
The Deaf Studies certificate enables students to learn about sign language and Deaf culture in order to be involved as an advocate or signer, but not as a paid professional interpreter.
For more information, please contact the Humanities and Sciences Division at (513) 569-1700.
To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit our Admissions Page
Interpreter Training Program (ITP)
Program Prerequisite: ITP 101 Beginning American Sign Language 1 and ITP 102 Beginning American Sign Language 2 andITP 140 Fingerspelling and Numbers or ITP Program Chair consent.
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| ITP 201 | Intermediate American Sign Language 1 ( B) | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| ITP 125 | Deaf Culture and History ( B) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP 120 | Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness ( B) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ITP 202 | Intermediate American Sign Language 2 ( B) | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| ITP 135 | Introduction to the Interpreting Profession ( B) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP 130 | Legal Issues of Deafness ( B) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| ENG 1XX English Composition Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| ITP 220 | Educational Intepreting ( B) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP 230 | Intermediate Assessment ( B) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MAT 1XX Mathematics Elective (G) | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| XXX XXX Arts/Humanities Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| ITP XXX Interpreting Elective (B) | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Semester 4 | ||||
| ITP 251 | Advanced American Sign Language 1 ( T) | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| ITP 261 | Advanced Interpreting 1: Sign to Voice ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ITP 250 | Interactive Interpreting ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ITP 270 | Transliterating ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||||
| ITP 252 | Advanced American Sign Language 2 ( T) | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| ITP 265 | Interpreting in Specialized Settings ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ITP XXX Interpreting Practicum 1 Option (T) | 2 | 10 | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||||
| ITP 262 | Advanced Interpreting 2: Sign to Voice ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ITP 280 | Interpreter Professionalism ( T) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP XXX Interpreting Practicum 2 Option (T) | 2 | 10 | 3 | |
| ITP 275 | Interpreting in Medical Settings ( T) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total Credits: | 63 | 26 | 65 | |
Electives
| English Composition Elective | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition 2: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| ENG 103 | English Composition 2: Writing about Literature | 3 |
| ENG 104 | English Composition 2: Technical Communication | 3 |
| ENG 105 | English Composition 2: Business Communication | 3 |
| Interpreting Elective | ||
| ITP 205 | Performance Interpreting | 2 |
| ITP 210 | Deaf-Blind Interpreting | 2 |
| ITP 215 | Religious Interpreting | 2 |
| ITP 225 | Vocabulary Building | 2 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective | ||
| Any Transfer Module course from ART, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, THE, or COMM 130 | 3 | |
| Mathematics Elective | ||
| MAT 111 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 131 | Statistics 1 | 3 |
| MAT 151 | College Algebra | 4 |
| Interpreting Practicum Options (6 credits of practicum required) | ||
| ITP 191 | ITP Limited Practicum 1 | 1 |
| ITP 192 | ITP Limited Practicum 2 | 1 |
| ITP 193 | ITP Limited Practicum 3 | 1 |
| ITP 194 | ITP Limited Practicum 4 | 1 |
| ITP 195 | ITP Limited Practicum 5 | 1 |
| ITP 196 | ITP Limited Practicum 6 | 1 |
| ITP 291 | ITP Parallel Practicum 1 | 2 |
| ITP 292 | ITP Parallel Practicum 2 | 2 |
| ITP 293 | ITP Parallel Practicum 3 | 2 |
| ITP 294 | Educational Interpreting Practicum | 2 |
| ITP 295 | ITP General Practicum 1 | 3 |
| ITP 296 | ITP General Practicum 2 | 3 |
The letters G, B, and T (displayed after course titles or elective descriptions) identify types of courses required by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as part of an associate’s degree curriculum.
G = General Education course in this curriculum
B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum
T = Technical course in this curriculum
Deaf Studies Certificate (DSC)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITP 102 | Beginning American Sign Language 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| ITP 120 | Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP 125 | Deaf Culture and History | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP 140 | Fingerspelling and Numbers | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| ITP 130 | Legal Issues of Deafness | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| ITP 135 | Introduction to the Interpreting Profession | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP 201 | Intermediate American Sign Language 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| ITP 202 | Intermediate American Sign Language 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| ITP 220 | Educational Intepreting | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ITP XXX Interpreting Elective 1 | 2 | |||
| ITP XXX Interpreting Elective 2 | 2 | |||
| Total Credits: | 20 | 3 | 24 | |
Program Prerequisite: Prior to enrolling in ITP 102 Beginning American Sign Language 2, students must complete ITP 101 Beginning American Sign Language 1 (or program chair consent)
Electives
| Interpreting Elective | ||
| ITP 205 | Performance Interpreting | 2 |
| ITP 210 | Deaf-Blind Interpreting | 2 |
| ITP 215 | Religious Interpreting | 2 |
Courses
ITP 101 Beginning American Sign Language 1
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour.
An introductory course on American Sign Language. Topics include: ASL vocabulary, Deaf culture, ASL grammatical features, and beginning ASL conversational comprehensive and expressive skills.
Prerequisites: None
ITP 102 Beginning American Sign Language 2
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour.
A continuation of ITP 101. Topics include: continued development of ASL vocabulary, Deaf cultural aspects, grammatical features, and beginning conversational comprehensive and expressive skills.
Prerequisites: ITP 101 (minimum grade C)
ITP 120 Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
An introductory course on psychosocial aspects of Deafness. Topics include: language, norms of behavior, values, and traditions within Deafness; and the evolution of the view of Deaf people from a pathological to a cultural perspective.
Prerequisites: None
ITP 125 Deaf Culture and History
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
An introductory course on the unique characteristics influencing Deaf people throughout the past hundred years, and the achievements and accomplishments of Deaf individuals in various professional fields.
Prerequisites: None
ITP 130 Legal Issues of Deafness
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on the legal rights of the Deaf and people with other disabilities, and the social service organizations and other agencies that serve the Deaf population.
Prerequisites: None
ITP 135 Introduction to the Interpreting Profession
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course offering a framework for understanding the field of interpreting. Topics include: role of the interpreter in various settings, the interpreting process, physical factors, language variations, and the Code of Professional Conduct.
Prerequisites: None
ITP 140 Fingerspelling and Numbers
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course providing intensive practice in comprehension and production of fingerspelled words and numbers, with emphasis on clarity and accuracy.
Prerequisites: ITP 101 (minimum grade C) or ITP Program Chair consent
ITP 191 ITP Limited Practicum 1
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.
Students spend three hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 250
ITP 192 ITP Limited Practicum 2
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 191. Students spend three hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 191
ITP 193 ITP Limited Practicum 3
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 192. Students spend three hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 192
ITP 194 ITP Limited Practicum 4
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 193. Students spend three hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 193
ITP 195 ITP Limited Practicum 5
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 194. Students spend three hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 194
ITP 196 ITP Limited Practicum 6
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 195. Students spend three hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 195
ITP 198 First Year Special Topics in Interpreter Training
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on selected topics related to Interpreter Training, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
ITP 199 First Year Independent Project in Interpreter Training
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A project related to Interpreter Training that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Interpreter Training faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
ITP 201 Intermediate American Sign Language 1
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour.
A course on developing and practicing receptive and expressive skills for acquiring ASL targeted vocabulary and grammatical features. Topics include: improving ASL skills by visual comprehension, signing, writing with gloss system, and using basic expressive and receptive skills in laboratory/class settings.
Prerequisites: ITP 102 (minimum grade C)
ITP 202 Intermediate American Sign Language 2
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour.
A continuation of ITP 201. Topics include: higher level skills in major grammatical features of ASL and additional practice of receptive skills using prepared dialogues as well as numbers.
Prerequisites: ITP 201 (minimum grade C)
ITP 205 Performance Interpreting
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on interpreting for theatre and other performance art venues. Topics include: vocabulary and skill building, and script translation.
Prerequisites: ITP 201 (minimum grade C)
ITP 210 Deaf-Blind Interpreting
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on the skills, protocols, and techniques necessary to communicate with, interpret for, and guide individuals who are Deaf-Blind.
Prerequisites: ITP 201 (minimum grade C)
ITP 215 Religious Interpreting
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on interpreting in religious settings. Topics include: religious signs and their relationships to various religious settings.
Prerequisites: ITP 201 (minimum grade C)
ITP 220 Educational Intepreting
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on interpreting in educational settings. Topics include: the educational setting, the code of professional conduct, inservicing, and the IEP process. The Ohio Department of Education's Interpreter Guidelines are included in the curriculum.
Prerequisites: ITP 201 (minimum grade C)
ITP 225 Vocabulary Building
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course reviewing sign vocabulary already learned as well as introduction of new vocabulary in order to scaffold the student?s sign vocabulary base. Topics include:ß ASL structure, appropriate sign parameters, and conceptual accuracy.
Prerequisites: ITP 201 (minimum grade C)
ITP 230 Intermediate Assessment
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on reviewing and teaching ASL vocabulary and structure, culminating in the Intermediate Assessment. Students receive a course grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: ITP 201 (minimum grade C)
ITP 250 Interactive Interpreting
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on theoretical strategies and practice in interpreting simultaneously between spoken English and American Sign Language. Topics include: applying components of the Demand-Control schema, and applying advanced interpreting techniques. Students must pass this class as a prerequisite to practicum experience.
Prerequisites: ITP 202 (minimum grade C) and ITP 230
ITP 251 Advanced American Sign Language 1
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour.
A course on advanced ASL communication skills, vocabulary, and grammatical features. Topics include: advanced practice and development of expressive and receptive skills in American Sign Language.
Prerequisites: ITP 202 (minimum grade C) and ITP 230
ITP 252 Advanced American Sign Language 2
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour.
A continuation of ITP 251. Topics include: advanced level vocabulary building and grammatical features improvement, and applying native-like signing into American Sign Language production.
Prerequisites: ITP 251 (minimum grade C)
ITP 261 Advanced Interpreting 1: Sign to Voice
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on principles and strategies of interpreting from American Sign Language into spoken and written English equivalents. Topics include: the technical and mental processes involved in ASL-to-English interpretation simultaneously and consecutively using the Colonomos and Gish Models.
Prerequisites: ITP 202 (minimum grade C) and ITP 230
ITP 262 Advanced Interpreting 2: Sign to Voice
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A continuation of ITP 261. Topics include: signing with live models and unknown material.
Prerequisites: ITP 261 (minimum 80% on Voicing Evaluation)
ITP 265 Interpreting in Specialized Settings
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on specialized vocabulary used in advanced interpreting settings. Topics include: vocabulary related to mental health, social work, and legal interpreting settings.
Prerequisites: ITP 202 (minimum grade C) and ITP 230
ITP 270 Transliterating
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on transmitting spoken English into English-based sign language. Topics include: initialized signs and other English-related communication systems.
Prerequisites: ITP 202 (minimum grade C) and ITP 230
ITP 275 Interpreting in Medical Settings
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on applying interpreting/transliterating skills in medical settings. Topics include: development of discourse analysis, expressive and receptive skills production, feedback on interpreting skills in this specialized setting, development of specialized vocabulary, and application of the Demand-Control schema.
Prerequisites: ITP 202 (minimum grade C) and ITP 230
ITP 280 Interpreter Professionalism
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on the professional components of becoming a sign language interpreter. Topics include: resume building; and appropriate conduct in the workplace, in interviews, and online.
Prerequisites: ITP 251 (minimum grade C)
ITP 291 ITP Parallel Practicum 1
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 5 Lab Hours.
Students spend five hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 250
ITP 292 ITP Parallel Practicum 2
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 5 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 291. Students spend five hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 291
ITP 293 ITP Parallel Practicum 3
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 5 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 292. Students spend five hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 292
ITP 294 Educational Interpreting Practicum
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 5 Lab Hours.
Students spend 100 hours during the semester in a K-12 setting completing supervised observations of a working interpreter and practice in the role of an educational interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 192 or ITP 291 or ITP 295
ITP 295 ITP General Practicum 1
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 10 Lab Hours.
Students spend ten hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 250
ITP 296 ITP General Practicum 2
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 10 Lab Hours.
A continuation of ITP 295. Students spend ten hours per week in educational institutions and community agencies, completing supervised observation and practice in the role of the interpreter. Students also participate in weekly seminars.
Prerequisites: ITP 295
ITP 298 Second Year Special Topics in Interpreter Training
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on selected topics related to Interpreter Training, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
ITP 299 Second Year Independent Project in Interpreter Training
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A project related to Interpreter Training that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Interpreter Training faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
Faculty
Program Chair/Advisor
Dawn Caudill, CI, CT, NAD5
dawn.caudill@cincinnatistate.edu
Other Full-time Faculty
Anthony Merchinsky, BS
anthony.merchinsky@cincinnatistate.edu