What is the Sign Language Interpretation Program at St. Petersburg College?
The Sign Language Interpretation Program at St. Petersburg College is a unique training site for future sign language interpreters. This geographic location has the fifth largest deaf population in the United States. The well established Sign Language Interpretation Program, based at the Clearwater Campus, offers the opportunity for interpreter trainees to experience Deaf culture and a wide variety of sign language styles. Students who successfully complete the two-year program in interpreter training at St. Petersburg College will earn an Associate in Science degree.

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What classes will I need to take?
In addition to the general education courses, students will participate in specialized courses such as:

Students also participate in an intense practicum and internship at St. Petersburg College and other sites in the community which provide first hand experience in the interpreting field.

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What are my career opportunities?
In addition to the many business opportunities, interpreters are hired by public and private employers including:

Salaries vary based upon competency, experience, locale, and employer. Graduates of the Interpreter Training Program are encouraged to take the Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (FRID) Quality Assurance screening to obtain credentials necessary for employment. Depending on the level achieved, an apprentice interpreter may be eligible to interpret in a variety of settings.

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What is the demand for interpreters?
With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the need for skilled and qualified interpreters has increased and will continue to grow dramatically. The demand for trained interpreters far exceeds the supply.

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Do you know that . . .

• The need for skilled and qualified interpreters for the deaf will grow dramatically over the next few years.

• Demand far exceeds supply.

• St. Petersburg College offers one of the most well-respected Interpreter Training Programs in the United States.

• All instructors are certified by the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) and/or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

• SPC was the first junior college in the U.S. to become an approved site for the RID Certification Maintenance Program.

• Students completing the program will receive an Associate in Science degree; by taking a full class load, the program can be completed in two years.

• The Tampa Bay area claims the fifth-largest deaf population in the United States.

 
Sign Language Interpretation Program (SLIP) Staff

	Sammie H. Elser Instructor	Mike Henry Instructor
Frona Elkes Instructor	Beth Carlson Instructor	Sally Shortz Instructional Assistant
Karen Sidwell           Program Director	Naoko Snare Staff Assistant
Adjuncts	Debbie Henry                Michele Sacco-Eanes Michael Yelapi               Teresa Kessie
Sign Language Interpretation Program Advisory Board
	Jack Humburg, Chair John Blaylock Honorable Bruce Boyer Linda Roberts Rosa Rodriguez Dawnmarie Caggiano
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St. Petersburg College Silent News Archives Volume 2, Issue 1 (January 2004) Volume I, Issue 6 (November 2003) Volume I, Issue 5 (October 2003) Volume I, Issue 4 (October 2003) Volume I, Issue 3 (October 2003) Volume I, Issue 2 (September 2003) Volume I, Issue 1 (September 2003)
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