I know sign language extremely well, interpreter college?

Im 17 both of my parents are deaf, i interpret for them all them all the time, i know it extremely well, i got all a’s in my sign language class that they offer here at my high school, i pretty much speak it fluently since it is my first language learned next to english as well. Im not going to be an interpreter for all my life since i am looking into the field of Computers/it but i was looking toward being a certified interpreter, its going to be more of a side job while in college, so my question is. would i have to go to college? if so how long would it take me? I live in maryland and there is a big deaf college here (galludet) in D.C so i thought this might help. Thanks!
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Let me pick your brains for an idea for a sign language project?

I am taking a course in Americal Sign Language this semester and I have a project due at the end of the semester. Here is the gyst of the assignment:

I have to use sign language to direct a fellow student (with no prior coaching) through step-by-step directions to complete a task. We can do just about anything we want (except no food, drink, hot or dangerous devices) and it has to be at least five minutes in length. We can use any form of non-verbal communication and we cannot use any writing, speaking or fingerspelling.

My topic is due September 28th. I want to do something original, yet still simple enough to get someone to easily understand what I want. I already have a couple of ideas. I was thinking of bringing in a “diaper bag” and a baby doll and having them feed and change a baby. I am also in judo and I was thinking of directing them on how to do a kneeling bow.

I thought I would ask around here to see if any of you would like to contribute any interesting ideas.
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Sign Language Among Great Apes?

Studies have been conducted teach sign language to various species of apes. In some cases, apes without sign language capabilities were introduced to the group. In these cases, the apes were able to learn some words in sign language, but not reproduce everything that had been taught to the others by a human. Do you think teaching apes sign language is science?
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Will teaching my 20 month old who can’t talk sign language slow him down?

He is starting to see a speach path this week. She told me we could start teaching him sign so he can learn to communicate in some way. I was wondering if that would just hinder his talking even more. I’m just not sure what to do with this one, I want him to be able to tell me what he wants, but I also don’t want to slow down the speach process. Thanks guys!
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