Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in American Sign Language/English Interpreting prepares students to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in both educational and community settings, including schools and universities, businesses, medical and mental health agencies and social service offices, among others.

The coursework and nationally certified instructors guide students in developing interpreting expertise, sign language fluency and professional ethics. Coursework encompasses interpreting process models and their application; analytical approaches to professional and ethical decision-making; and interpreting comparative analyses of English and American Sign Language through the study of linguistics, discourse structures and features, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Students learn self-assessment strategies for lifelong learning and gain 500 hours of practicum and experience with interpreter mentors.

Graduates may apply for licensure from the State of Ohio to interpret from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. They also have preparation toward the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).

Fully Offered At:

• Kent Campus

Admission Requirements

Admission to the American Sign Language/English Interpreting major is selective. Freshmen students must have a minimum 2.75 high school GPA— for direct admission into the major. Transfer students must have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA for admission.

The College of Education, Health and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours. Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into programs, advanced study and professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State overall GPA will be considered for admission into the program and professional phase.

For more information on admissions, visit the admission website.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to do the following:

1. Possess commensurate competency in spoken and written English, American Sign Language, mainstream culture and Deaf Culture.
2. Effectively interpret diverse texts, across a variety of genres and language preferences between English and American Sign Language.
3. Appreciate the diverse consumers with whom they work, as well as the languages and cultures involved.
4. Make appropriate, ethical and effective decisions, both in practical and authentic interpreting situations.
5. Be motivated, teachable and willing to adapt to changing situations.
6. Have a clear grasp on theory and practice.
7. Understand different specializations of interpreting.