American Sign Language Interpreter Preparatory Program
Sign_Language Sign_Language American Sign Language Interpreter Preparatory Program
Contact: Leslie Puzio, Program Manager • 301.624.2783 Admissions: Jefferson Hall (1st floor) • 301.624.2716 Career & Academic Planning Services: Jefferson Hall (2nd floor) • 301.846.2478 Financial Aid: Jefferson Hall (3rd floor) • 301.846.2620

1Apply

Use the Online Application to apply for admission to FCC. This is the first step to enrolling in credit courses to get a degree or certificate. After you apply, you will receive a letter in the mail which contains your student ID number and your email username that will allow you to access your online myFCC account.

Veterans and Military: Prior to enrolling, new veteran and military students are required to submit the electronic VMS intake form prior to scheduling an appointment.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your qualifications for federal and state aid, institutional grants, work study options, and student loans.
 

Apply for scholarships through the FCCFoundation.
Visit Cost & Financial Aid for information about paying your bill and applying for financial aid.
View enrollment checklists for new students
View all required registration forms.
 

FCC operates with open admissions by offering admittance to all students who apply to the College. Some areas of study have additional, program-level admissions requirements. Selective admissions programs include: NursingRespiratory CareSurgical Technology, and the Honors College.
 

Recognizing that not everyone arrives with the same educational background, and not everyone is ready for the same level of math and English classes, there are a few things you will need to do to help us to successfully place you academically.
 

To comply with the Maryland College and Career Readiness Act of 2013 and the Academic Placement and Assessment Procedure of FCC, the College requires that:
 

  • Upon entering the College, all new students, unless otherwise exempted, must complete all mathematics, reading, writing, and skills placement tests before enrolling in developmental or credit courses.
  • Upon entering the College, all new students who are seeking a degree must file a degree plan that is developed in consultation with an academic advisor.
  • Upon reaching 24 credits, all new students must have completed developmental courses and the first college-level English and math courses required by their degree plan.


If you are seeking non-credit continuing education courses for professional development, skill building, or personal enrichment, visit Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) Registration.

2Test

All new students must Test and Send Transcripts:
  1. High school transcript and previous college transcripts
  2. College entrance exam scores from SAT and/or ACT
  3. Advanced Placement (AP) test scores and International Baccalaureate (IB) test scores


These documents will determine which placement tests you are required to take, the courses you should register for, and/or the courses you are eligible to receive credit for based on previous grades or scores.


For more information about the ACCUPLACER and academic placement and assessment, visit the Testing Center. To be exempt from the ACCUPLACER, you need to have earned the following scores within the past five years:

 
  SAT ACT
Reading Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: 480 Composite/Average score of: 21
Writing [Not Required]  
Mathematics 530 21

 

Other Exemptions (only one needs to be met in each subject):

English:
(Reading & Writing)
  • Earning a 3 or better on the AP English Language & Comp, English Literature Exam;
  • Earning a score of 4 or higher on the IB Language A: Literature SL, Language A: Language & Literature SL, Language A: Literature HL or  Language A: Language & Literature HL Test;
  • Earning exam scores of e(E) or E(E) or higher in English Language or Language & Literature through Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) AS-Level or A-Level coursework;
  • Earning a GED Reasoning Through Language Arts score of 165 or higher;
  • Earning a score of Proficient (3) or above on the English 10 or English 11 MCAP test or (2) Early MCAP tests; 
  • Earning a grade of A or B in FCPS English 10, 11, 10/11, AP and IB English Courses; 
  • Successful Completion of the FCPS English 12 Transition Experience;
  • Successfully completed a college-level English course or earned FCC-accepted equivalent credit-by-exam such as CLEP and DSST (see Academic Catalog).
  • READING EXEMPTION ONLY - Transferring twelve (12) credits or more from an accredited U.S. institution with 2.00 cumulative GPA if at least six (6) credits are general education courses. Writing placement testing required with this exemption.
Mathematics
  • Earning a score 3 or better on the AP Calculus or Statistics exams;
  • Earning a score of 4 or higher on the IB Mathematical Studies, Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL, or the Further Math Tests;
  • Earning exam scores of e(E) or E(E) or higher in Mathematics through Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) AS-Level or A-Level coursework;
  • Earning an A or B in FCPS Algebra 2;
  • Earning an A, B, or C grade in FCPS Advanced Algebra w/ Trigonometry;
  • Earning an A, B, or C grade in FCPS Statistics & Probability;
  • Earning an A, B, or C grade in FCPS Precalculus for placement into MATH 165;
  • Earning an A grade in FCPS Precalculus course for placement into MATH 185;
  • Earning an A or B on FCPS Precalculus Final Exam for placement into MATH 185;
  • Earning an A, B, or C grade in AP Calculus AB for placement into MATH 185;
  • Earning an A, B, or C grade in AP Calculus BC or FCPS Calculus 3 for placement into MATH 195 (no credit for MATH 185 on transcript);
  • Earning a GED Mathematical Reasoning score of 165 or higher;
  • Earning a score of Proficient (3) or above on the Algebra II or Geometry MCAP tests; (2) on the Algebra II or Geometry Early MCAP tests;
  • Successful completion of the FCPS Math transition experience;
  • Successfully completed a college-level math course or earned FCC-accepted equivalent credit-by-exam such as CLEP or DSST (see Academic Catalog).

3See Advisor

New credit students seeking a degree are required to consult an advisor to develop a degree plan. New students should schedule a consultation after completing the admissions and testing steps, and activating a myFCC account.

See Advisor and Complete New Student Orientation.

For more information about career & academic planning services, see Career & Academic Planning Services.
 

4Register

There are two ways to register for classes:

  1. Register online for credit courses using Campus Solutions
  2. Register in-person via the Enrollment Center (Jefferson Hall Suite 101).

In addition to registering for classes, Campus Solutions allows you to make a payment, see your grades, obtain unofficial transcripts, print class schedules, and update your personal information.

5Pay

Your enrollment at Frederick Community College is complete when you have paid for your courses. Please take note of important payment deadlines. You can either pay in-full or sign up for the interest-free payment plan.

‭To apply for Financial Assistance, complete the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and take advantage of federal, state, and institutional grants, work study, and student loans.

To apply for Scholarships through The FCC Foundation, Inc., click here.

For more information about paying your bill and financial aid, see Cost and Financial Aid.

6Buy Books

Textbooks are available through the FCC bookstore. Have your course schedule ready to easily find the required textbooks for your courses.

7Attend Class

Congratulations! You are enrolled and ready to begin attending classes at Frederick Community College. If you have questions or need additional guidance during your time of study, please reach out to your program manager or academic advisor. Some students may be eligible for specialized advising through Disability Access Services, or Veteran and Military Services. Check your myFCC account and your FCC email for important alerts and announcements.

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Preparatory Program Associate of Applied Science
☑ This is a Selective Admissions Program
The A.A.S. degree program is ideal for students who want to become ASL interpreters and do not already hold a degree. This program prepares students to work as an entry-level sign language interpreter to facilitate and mediate communication between Deaf/hard of hearing and hearing people.

Students will develop receptive and expressive skills in American Sign Language and will experience a variety of learning environments, including classroom work, laboratory practice, and field placement. Students will be required to have both in-class and out-of-class experiences with members of the Deaf community to further develop ASL fluency and cultural competency.

*To view curriculum requirements for all previous catalog years and pathways for previous catalog years from 2021-2022 forward, please see previous catalog versions. If there are Pathways for years prior to 2021-2022, they will be listed by clicking the Archived Pathway button.

 

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Preparatory Program Certificate
☑ This is a Selective Admissions Program
The certificate program is ideal for students who want to become ASL interpreters, but already hold a degree. This program prepares students to work as an entry-level sign language interpreter to facilitate and mediate communication between Deaf/hard of hearing and hearing people.

Students will develop receptive and expressive skills in American Sign Language and will experience a variety of learning environments, including classroom work, laboratory practice, and field placement. Students will be required to have both in-class and out-of-class experiences with members of the Deaf community to further develop ASL fluency and cultural competency. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to work as an entry-level interpreter in the field or to continue their studies at a four-year college or university.
 
Gainful Employment - American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Preparatory Program
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program.
*To view curriculum requirements for all previous catalog years and pathways for previous catalog years from 2021-2022 forward, please see previous catalog versions. If there are Pathways for years prior to 2021-2022, they will be listed by clicking the Archived Pathway button.

 

Frederick County Public School students are eligible to receive free tuition and fees through Dual Enrollment at FCC for some courses taken during Fall or Spring semesters. FCPS students participating in dual enrollment may obtain required textbooks and materials at the FCC bookstore at no cost to the student. Students should speak with their high school counselor first if they plan to enroll in FCC courses or programs.

 

For related non-credit Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) programs, see Lifelong Learning Foreign Languages & ASL. Please note that these courses are not affiliated with FCC credit or certificate programs. While CEWD courses do not provide academic credits, participants experience affordable, flexible, and rewarding programs. Select CEWD courses offer industry-recognized training for licensure and career certification at the state and national level.
To find more information about how credits may transfer from Frederick Community College to a state four-year institution visit ARTSYS or consult a College advisor.

Frederick Community College has articulation agreements with the following institutions, allowing students a seamless transfer experience. Students who plan to transfer should speak with an advisor or program manager from their chosen transfer institution before selecting elective courses.
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Interpreters and Translators
$57,090.00/yr • +2%*
*Median pay, projected job growth or decline from 2023-2033. Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2023 Edition.
Admissions: Jefferson Hall (1st floor) • 301.624.2716 Advising: Jefferson Hall(2nd floor) • 301.846.2471 Financial Aid: Jefferson Hall (3rd floor) • 301.846.2620