The CCIE accreditation process ensures that an institution’s interpreter education program meets defined quality standards. It does not compare or rank accredited programs.

It is  important to note that curricula vary from program to program, so it is worthwhile to do your research to ensure that the program encompasses all the necessary components needed to become a successful interpreter.

Here are some questions that prospective students can ask when considering enrollment in an IEP:

1. Is this program accredited by the CCIE? If not, why not?
2. Do you have a practicum or internship component in your IEP? If so, how many hours are required and what does it entail?
3. Are your faculty members certified sign language interpreters?
4. What kind of facilities do you have available to students? A visual language lab? Classrooms and class sizes? Resources?
5. Does this program focus on one specialty of sign language interpreting? Educational interpreting? Community interpreting?
6. Does this program teach Deaf culture? ASL skills are only part of the picture in becoming a successful interpreter.
7. Are there opportunities for becoming involved in the local Deaf community?
8. Do you teach classes on ethical decision making?

Doing as much research as possible before you enroll goes a long way in preparing the path to your ultimate goal of becoming a certified interpreter.

Read our full blog post here.

The University of Northern Colorado Department of ASL & Interpreting Studies conducted a five-year Patterns of Practice Investigation into educational interpreting practices in the United States.

If you are concerned about equal communication access for K-12 students who are deaf and hard of hearing, this book is for you.

In addition to reporting the findings from the investigation, it also includes:

• - Answers to 10 important questions about educational interpreting services that are needed to ensure a free appropriate public education for K-12 students who are deaf and hard of hearing
• - Significant events that occurred after the completion of the five-year investigation
• - Recommendations for agencies and professional organizations
• - Recommendations of professional standards for educational interpreters.

Complexities in Educational Interpreting catalogue page