A growing and flexible industry
OCC’s Sign Language Interpreter degree (SLI) is a two-and-a-half-year program that
will prepare you to take the state certification (BEI Board for evaluation for interpreters)
and exams which you must pass to work as a certified interpreter in:
- Educational, Medical, Legal and Governmental fields
- VRS-Video Relaying Services
- Community settings
- Private Sector
Self-employed interpreters and translators frequently have flexible work schedules.
Most interpreters and translators work full-time during regular business hours. *Bureau of Labor Statistics
A supportive learning environment with you in mind
Your success is our top priority. Benefits of the SLI program are:
- Small class sizes
- Student cohorts
- Active faculty in the deaf community
- Group-work and research projects
- State boards assessment prep courses and resources
Fostering professional growth outside of the classroom
We provide you with opportunities that extend outside of the classroom, allowing you
to build relationships in the community and grow your skills as an interpreter with
real-world experience such as:
- Unique mentoring opportunities
- Internship placements
- Volunteering options
- Student club networking
- Participation at community events including but not limited to Comic Con, farmers
markets, expos, library events and more.
OCC offers a two-credit DeafBlind Interpreting course that can be applied to the
DeafBlind Endorsement in the State of Michigan.
A versatile and rewarding profession
After completion of the program and passing state boards and assessments, you are
prepared for positions within a wide range of careers:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Courtrooms
- Conference centers
- Translation and interpretation companies
- Individual organizations
- Private clients
Transfer to a university and continue your education
After completion of the OCC SLI program, you may aspire to obtain further education.
Students can go on to acquire a degree in:
- Interpreting
- Deaf Education
- Social Work
- Counseling
- Psychology
- Deaf studies
- Linguistics
- Communications
Transferring with ease:
We know transferring can be stressful. We have articulation agreements with the following
colleges and universities to make your transfer experience straightforward and save
you money:
- Oakland University
- Sienna Heights
- Columbia College Chicago
Degree program
After completion of a Sign Language Interpreter (SLI) degree, you will gain knowledge
of the Deaf community, culture, and language. This will prepare you to be a qualified
sign language interpreter.
Program plan
Let’s Go!
Ready to begin your studies? Get started now:
- Apply to OCC. If you’re not already an OCC student, create a profile and complete our online application.
- On the application select the degree program ‘Sign Language’.
- Existing OCC students can update their academic program using the Student Update Information Request form.
