The American Sign Language-English Interpretation program is an online (with summer onsite requirements) Baccalaureate Degree program that prepares majors to provide competent interpreting services between individuals who are d/Deaf and use ASL as their primary means of communication, and individuals who are not deaf and do not know sign language. Graduates of this program will be prepared to interpret in a range of low-risk settings with professional autonomy and be work and/or RID certification-ready.

Program Information:

• Overview
• Competencies
• Courses
• Sample Schedule
• Frequently Asked Questions

Application Deadline:
February 29, 2008

1. Is based on a state-of-the-art curriculum designed with input from national experts in the field;
2. Addresses the five domains of competency necessary to become a competent and autonomous practitioner;
3. Has developed a sixth domain of competencies as an emphasis area (e.g., community, educational, generalist, legal)
4. Is a distance-learning program that uses multiple technologies and requires minimum onsite activities;
5. Has a nationally recognized instructional staff that includes both deaf and hearing members; and,
6. Prepares graduates to confidently approach the national evaluation system within about 12 months of program completion.
   

This Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language-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.

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 posses 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.

The interpreting major consists of 80 semester credits that concentrate on preparing students for interpreting work based on the Entry-to-Practice Competencies. Core courses in the ASL-English Interpretation curriculum make up 62 of the 80 required credits in the major. Students then select an area of emphasis for the remaining 18 credits. Emphasis areas include: Community Interpreting, Educational Interpreting, and Legal Interpreting, or with advisement a student may create a generalist interpreter emphasis. In addition, students must complete 40 semester credits of liberal arts core requirements as defined by the University of Northern Colorado. A grade of 'B' or better is required in each class to stay in the program.

General Education Requirement

ASL-English Interpretation Courses

The following document contains a sample schedule for the 80 semester credits required to complete this degree. It contains general education courses, core courses, and courses in the area of emphasis that would reflect the academic requirements of a first time freshman.

Sample Schedule