Interpreting

Overview

Sign language interpreters facilitate communication between d/Deaf and hearing individuals in every setting imaginable, including educational, medical, mental health, legal, religious, and more. Graduates that have been successful in this profession possess the following essential abilities:

• Physical and Sensory Abilities: Hearing interpreters possess typical hearing, vision, and speech capabilities, manual dexterity, limb, face and head movements, dual limb coordination, and physical stamina (note CU’s program is not currently designed for Deaf Interpreters). 
• Executive Functioning and Self-Regulation Abilities: Interpreters possess superior executive functioning and self-regulation skills, aiding them in planning, focusing, remembering, and juggling multiple tasks successfully. 
• Sociolinguistic and Sociocultural Abilities: Interpreters should be excellent communicators and fluent in American Sign Language and English. They must be culturally responsive and linguistically competent in the registers of the source and target languages. Additionally, they must be familiar with the various communication modes and preferences used in the deaf community.
• Professional Disposition: Interpreters are guided by a strong ethical compass. Professional interpreters accept feedback with grace, have excellent interpersonal skills, and demonstrate adaptability in the workplace. 

Candidates can declare their intended major as Deaf Studies. Still, to be accepted into the Interpreting concentration, applicants must adhere to the following expectations: 

• Demonstrate good academic standing in professional core courses related to Deaf Studies
• Pass the SLPI with intermediate plus or higher before taking Introduction to the Interpreting Profession. 
• Regularly participate in the deaf community while you are enrolled at CU (a minimum of one event per session).

Entrance Requirements

Candidates can declare their intended major as Deaf Studies. Still, to be accepted into the Interpreting concentration, applicants must adhere to the following requirements: 

• Demonstrated good academic standing in professional core courses related to Deaf Studies
• Pass the SLPI with intermediate plus or higher after completing ASL VI (and before taking Introduction to the Interpreting Profession).
• Regularly participate in Deaf Events each semester you are enrolled at CU (a minimum of one event per session).

Exit Requirements

All Deaf Studies majors concentrating in interpreting must meet the following standards to graduate:

• Maintain a cumulative grade point of 2.5 or higher
• Satisfactorily complete a research project and presentation in SL 420
• Complete the required hours of final practicum
• Pass the generalist knowledge portion of National Interpreter Certification administered by CASLI
• Take one of the following performance assessments before graduating and during one’s final semester at CU:
  • National Interpreter Certification Performance Exam
  • Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment
  • Any State Certification Exam or State Quality Assurance Screening that evaluates one’s interpreting skills (e.g., BEI, VQAS, MCDHH Quality Assurance Screening, etc.).
    • Candidates are responsible for ensuring the performance assessment they aim to take is an approved exam by contacting their academic advisor.

Interpreting Concentration – 33 Credits