Q: How do I become a student in the Educational Interpreters and Assistants (EIA) project?
A: You must make an appointment with the EIA project counselor to discuss your interest in the EIA project. Once you decide to participate in the project, you will need to submit a University of Hawai'i System Application Form to Kapi'olani Community College or to your local community college. Upon receiving an acceptance letter to the University system, you will need to submit a recent TB clearance. Then you are eligible to register for classes.

Q: How do I register for my classes?
A: You must be a new, continuing, returning, or transfer student to register for classes. You will need to set up your personal account at MyUH. MyUH allows you to register, access personal information such as grades, unofficial transcripts, financial aid and more. You can use MyUH to register online for classes or you may register at the registration office.

Q: What are credit courses?
A: Each course in the AS degree program is worth 2-4 credits. The credit allows a course to be directed toward a degree or certificate. You must attain all the credits required for the Educational Interpreting or Educational Paraprofessional program to be awarded the appropriate degree or certificate.

Q: What is the difference between ASL and DEAF courses?
A: ASL is the study of American Sign Language. Kapi`olani Community College offers ASL 101, 102, 201, and 202 on site and via HITS (Hawai'i Interactive Television System). ASL classes teach you about the grammatical rules of the language and cultural aspects of the Deaf Community.

DEAF courses focus on Deaf Culture, Deaf Education, Deaf History, educational philosophies, children’s literacy and more. You will also engage in a practicum experience to apply what you have learned during your coursework to actual K-12 settings that serve deaf and hard of hearing children.

Q: How do I get “back credit” for ASL classes?
A: Back credit is granted to students who have had previous experience in ASL either through previous courses or experiences and are able to enter a higher level ASL course. To receive back credit for ASL classes, you must enroll in the credit ASL class for which you are qualified. Upon completing that class with a passing grade, you must fill out a “Petition for Back Language Credits” form with the EIA Project Counselor. Once the form has been approved, you will receive back credits for your prior learning.

Q: What is HITS?
A: HITS stands for the Hawai'i Interactive Television System. This system provides you with access to college courses that may not be regularly available at your local campus. This type of distance education course requires you to attend the course in a specially equipped HITS classroom at your local college. The times and location for these HITS classes are arranged by the college that originates the class and the receive sites are listed on MYUH and E-Learn.

Q: If I attended other colleges, do my classes transfer?
A: You should make an appointment with the counselor to discuss courses taken from other colleges. You need to bring copies of your transcripts to your appointment for an unofficial transcript evaluation. You will need to send official transcripts to KCC as soon as possible and request an official transcript evaluation.

Q: Can I substitute courses listed for the degree?
A: Generally, you are required to take the courses that are listed for the Associate’s degree that you are seeking. In special circumstances, you may request an appointment with the EIA project counselor to discuss courses that you would like to substitute. The counselor, project coordinators and the Dean determine approval for course substitution on a case-by-case basis.

Q: What is a home campus?
A: A home campus is the primary campus where you take classes. In addition, the home campus is the campus that will award your degree. It is very important that your home campus is recorded as Kapi'olani Community College prior to graduation because only KCC awards the appropriate degrees and certificates for Educational Interpreters and Educational Paraprofessionals.