2026-2027 Catalog

Introduction to the American Deaf Community Certificate

C55300A

The Introduction to the American Deaf Community Certificate at WPCC is designed for individuals who want to build foundational skills in American Sign Language (ASL) and gain insight into the history and culture of the Deaf community. This certificate is well-suited for students pursuing careers in education, healthcare, human services, or related fields where communication and cultural awareness are valuable. It is important to note that this certificate does not certify or qualify individuals to interpret for members of the Deaf community. The credential serves only as verification that a prescribed course of study has been completed and does not assess or imply interpreting skills.

Students interested in becoming professional interpreters should review WPCC’s Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Interpreter Education program at: https://wpcc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2023-2024/catalog/associate-in-applied-science-degrees/interpreter-education/interpreter-education-a-a-s/

To obtain full interpreting licensure in North Carolina, candidates must pass the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) exams, administered by the Center for Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI), a subsidiary of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). More details about certification requirements can be found here: https://rid.org/certification/

 

Requirements

Required Courses

CourseTitleCreditsOffered
ASL 111Elementary ASL I

3

FA, SP
ASL 112Elementary ASL II

3

FA, SP
ASL 181ASL Lab 1

1

FA, SP
ASL 182ASL Lab 2

1

FA, SP
ASL 211Intermediate ASL I

3

SP
IPP 112Comparative Cultures

3

SP

Total Credit Hours: 14