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ASL-ENGLISH INTERPRETATION |
The UNC- DO IT Center American Sign Language-English Interpretation program is an online with summer onsite requirements), 11-semester, baccalaureate degree program that prepares majors to provide competent interpreting services between individuals who are deaf and use ASL as their primary means of communication,and individuals who are not deaf and do not know sign language.
This Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language-English Interpretation is designed as a comprehensive 4-year degree program and is not a “bachelor’s completion program”. It is designed for an individual who is starting at the beginning of their academic work with the goal of becoming a highly qualified interpreter. The field of interpreter education, however, is currently housed primarily in two-year institutions of higher education and therefore many individuals are looking for avenues to build on their two-year degrees and earn their BA. Additionally some individuals have gained professional credentials through various life experiences, and are now looking to achieve their academic credentials. Every effort will be made to support such academic goals.
It is important to understand that coursework that has already been completed at a previous college or university will need to “fit” in the design of this curriculum. For example, the UNC ASL-English Interpretation program does not have courses in deaf culture/community or Manually coded English systems, and our internship experiences are at a 400- not a 200- level. Such issues are a challenge when transferring existing coursework to any university. Given this reality, it is unlikely that everything you have previously taken will be able to transfer into the curriculum requirements of the program. Additionally, no student is allowed to begin beyond the 3rd semester of the sophomore year, though individuals who can demonstrate mastery of upper division competencies can, with faculty advisement, challenge specific courses.
The ASL-English Interpretation program is unique in two primary ways: a) it has been initially designed for the purpose of preparing confident interpreter candidates to achieve national certification and to enter the profession as a competent, autonomous practitioner based on the newest research available with input from multiple, expert sources, and b) it has been designed for distance delivery to impact the national need for highly qualified ASL-English interpreters.
This degree program:
Is based on a state-of-the-art curriculum designed with input from national experts in the field.
Addresses the five domains of competency necessary to become a competent and autonomous practitioner.
Has developed three emphasis areas, e.g., community, educational, legal).
Is a distance-learning program that uses multiple technologies and requires minimum onsite activities.
Has a nationally recognized instructional staff that includes both deaf and hearing members.
Prepares graduates to confidently approach the national evaluation system within approximately 12 months of program completion.
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ENTRY-TO-PRACTICE COMPETENCIES |
The Entry-to-Practice Competencies were developed as a part of the 2000 - 2005 National Distance Learning Center for Interpreter Education project (H160B000003) administered by the DO IT Center. The competencies fall within five domains. These domains reflect the view that entry-level interpreters must possess a variety of linguistic, interactional, technical, academic, affective, and creative competencies, as well as personal and professional attributes to effectively work in low-risk, routine situations as autonomous practitioners. The competencies reflect a foundation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes within each domain.
The five domains of competencies are:
1. Theory and Knowledge
2. Human Relations
3. Language Skills
4. Interpreting Skills
5. Professionalism
The Entry-to-Practice Competencies Brochure contains a full description of all the competencies: http://www.unco.edu/doit/Competencies_brochure_handout.pdf
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The BA program is built as an integrated curriculum with pre-requisites on the majority of courses.
120 credit hour program
40 semester credits for UNC Liberal Arts Core requirements
62 semester credits in the Interpreting Major (INTR courses)
18 semester credits in an Emphasis area (INTR courses)
Community Interpreting, Educational Interpreting and Legal Interpreting
or with advisement a student may create a generalist interpreter emphasis
- A one month online orientation class is required of all new UNC-DO IT Center student.
- A grade of 'B' or better is required in each class to stay in the program.
- Once you have matriculated (been accepted) into the program, you will take between 5-11 credits in the major each semester - Fall, Spring, and Summer. As well, liberal arts core courses will need to be taken to fulfill the degree requirements (see sample schedule) Where you are placed in the program, as well as what courses are transferred into the UNC system, will impact the number of credits you take each semester.
- Three-quarters of the major and emphasis area coursework is online. However, the one month summer semester (about 27% of the program) is "on ground", hosted on the UNC home campus in Greeley, CO.
- The degree program courses are structured, online courses with specific assignment due dates that are offered sequentially with pre-requisites. This program is not designed as an independent study since much of the learning occurs in the asynchronous interactions with other students and staff members from around the nation. However, you will be given the due dates in advance so you can schedule your time accordingly. What time of day you do your coursework and required discussions is up to you as long as they are posted or submitted by the assignment due dates.
- Instructional materials can be purchased through the Book Stop online bookstore. You simply order and pay (e.g., credit card) for the materials identified for the courses you are enrolled to take that semester. The bookstore then mails the specified materials (i.e., textbook, CDs, DVD’s, etc.) to your home address. You may also “shop around” for some of the materials. (e.g. Amazon Books). This is a process that requires planning ahead, but it does work for UNC distance learners.
- A portfolio assessment is the overarching evaluation tool of the degree program. There will be benchmarks throughout the four-year program that will ensure you are prepared to successfully exit the program. Assessments will happen in various formats throughout the program, including the exit point, so that you will be ready to confidently approach the professional certification within 6 – 12 months of graduation.
SUMMER INSTRUCTIONAL INFORMATION
- The summer semesters are hosted at the University of Northern Colorado home campus in Greeley. This is toward the northeast corner of the state, about an hour away from Denver (http://www.unco.edu/uncmap/)
- There are 3 designed summer sessions in the program. The summers you will personally be involved are dependent on; the number of credit hours that are transferred, your ASL competencies, and where you are placed within the program sequence.
- The courses offered during the summer sessions focus on the intense language and interpreting coursework and are a required part of the bachelor's program. These credits will not be offered online. They are prerequisites for the fall semesters as the distance mentorship labs are built upon from the face-to-face summer work.
- You will take 6-7 credits each summer. These are intense sessions that are scheduled from about 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays. There is required daily homework and major assignments that typically take some portion of the weekends.
Additional Summer Session logistical information - PDF
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One of the benefits of a distance learning program is that instructional staff members do not need to be in one office. Therefore, the program can select teachers, both deaf and hearing, from throughout North America. This exposes you, as a student, to some of the best and brightest the field has to offer. It also ensures that you have opportunities to work with more than one or two professors.
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As academic requirements are met, you will request a degree audit to make sure everything has been successfully accomplished. When that is confirmed, you will have the opportunity to participate in the UNC undergraduate commencement ceremony and celebrate your graduation with other UNC students, as well as your family and friends. Your diploma will be conferred via standard UNC processes/systems. You will be a UNC graduate!
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- 2 years of ASL as a foreign language in high school or
- 2 years (4 classes) ASL on a college transcript and/or
- life experience
(A Deaf culture course may also be helpful depending on how ASL competencies are acquired.)
NOTE: If ASL 1-4 are successfully completed at an accredited institution of higher education, 6 semester hours may be used to satisfy UNC liberal arts core requirements.
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Since this program is delivered primarily online, in order to successfully complete the program you need to have the following:
- Reliable computer system (laptop recommended)
- Windows 2000 or higher operating system
- Microsoft Office Suite (2000 or higher)
- Internet access with highest speed possible
- Access to DVD player (on computer and/or stand alone and DVD digital camcorder
- Commitment and dedication to be a successful distance learner
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To transfer into the UNC system:
- 13 or more college credits with a 2.4 GPA.
- Review process: Official transcripts are reviewed by both UNC Admissions and UNC-DO IT Center BA program staff. The Center’s review will specifically target ASL and interpreting credit on transcript. A transcript review will be sent to you at the end of that process.
- Transfer students are advised on placement in the 120 credit hour program following a transcript review and demonstration of ASL competency.
- Where you are in program, as well as what you transfer into the program will impact the number of credits you take each semester.
- UNC accepts an Associates of Arts (AA), waiving all liberal arts core coursework; AAS and AGS do not transfer as a “degree”.
UNC will review the transcript and each credit will be considered.
Determination of placement into the BA program |
1.
Completed application packet
2. ASL Demonstration of Competency results or documentation of certification
3. Transcript review (e.g. ITP coursework and liberal arts transfer credits)
As a national distance-learning program, a differential tuition fee has been established. This means students pay the same tuition whether they are across the street or across the country. This fee is reviewed annually by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the tuition is $250 per credit hour for both instate and out-of-state students. It will be adjusted annually each year.
Instructional materials will vary by course, but will average approximately $150 per course over the life of the program.
SUMMER EXPENSES
- Summer expenses include travel, room and board and any other personal expenses in addition to the tuition and course required materials.
- There are certain advantages to being with classmates and working together toward a common goal. On-campus Residence Halls with 2-bedroom shared suites (private bedroom, shared bath, living area and cooking area) allow for cost-sharing with peers in the program and are made available during the summer sessions at the approximate cost of $39.00 per person/per night.
- Students who choose not to stay on campus are on their own to secure living arrangements for the month.
UNC-DO IT Center OSEP Scholarship: educational interpreting emphasis
The University of Northern Colorado, Distance Opportunities for Interpreter Training Center, was awarded a 4-year grant (2006-2010) from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs to establish the National Project for the Preparation of Professional Educational Interpreters (#H325K060224A).
This grant-funded project will sponsor 24 students (8 scholarships remaining) who are prepared to:
1. Enter as a third semester sophomores
2. Select educational interpreting as their emphasis area
3. Provide a 4-year service obligation in exchange for the OSEP sponsorship
Through a competitive process, selection from three classes of students will be made: 2006-2008, 2007-2009, and 2008-2010. Sponsorship to underwrite educational expenses will be up to $20,000 per student. Application for the OSEP sponsorship will be available when the student has been accepted as a 1) UNC student and 2) student in the ASL-English Interpretation major.
If the student does not complete the bachelor's degree within the two years of sponsorship, or does not provide four years of service to an IDEA-eligible student, he or she must repay all the OSEP monies expended on his or her education. For more information on the service obligation/pay-back requirements, read the following federal guidelines carefully.
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The complete application packet must include:
- Packet Checklist (download)
- UNC ADMISSIONS APPLICATION (download)
- Office of Extended Studies Form (download)
- All official transcripts from colleges you have attended or are currently attending.
- A current resume including, education, work experience, volunteer work, etc.
- A typewritten essay addressing each of the following questions:
(Each question must be answered with a 350 – 500 word count)
1. Why are you applying to this program?
2. What are your professional goals?
3. How are your goals envisioned to benefit others (i.e., individuals who are deaf and hard of
hearing, the interpreting field, etc.)?
- Two letters of recommendation addressed to: Dr. Leilani Johnson, Director.
Recommendations should highlight your academic and/or work experiences, your potential as a distance learner and your future potential to contribute to the profession of ASL-English interpretation.
- Copies of all state and/or national credentials or certifications.
ASL DEMONSTRATION OF COMPETENCY
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