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Signed Language Interpreting

As a field, signed language interpreting provides direct and indirect services for members of deaf and hard of hearing communities. Some settings served by signed language interpreters include education, mental health, medical, video relay services, legal, business, and other various settings. Through education and community awareness, the focus of signed language interpreting is to improve quality and access of interpreting services for deaf and hard of hearing community members.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

All incoming freshmen must meet one of the following requirements:

• Graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 18 ACT or 860 SAT
• Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
• Graduate in the top 60 percent of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT

Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including: 

• College preparatory English (4 units)
• College preparatory Math (3 units)
• Science (2 units)
• Social Science (2 units)
• Foreign Language (2 units same language)
• Fine Arts (1 unit)
• Additional units from above (2 units)

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

All transfer students must have completed the high school course requirements listed above as well as have obtained a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 from all colleges attended.

Students applying to the signed language interpreting online cohort must hold an associate degree in signed language interpreting or the equivalent, this is not a requirement of the campus based program.

All transfer students who have accumulated more than 60 (semester) credit hours and who meet the transfer requirements should meet with their academic advisor in the CECH Student Services Center.

Portfolio requirements for the on-campus cohort include:

1. A written essay (1500 words or less) addressing the following questions:

• Why are you applying to this program?
• What are your academic goals?
• What are your professional goals as a result of completing this program?

2.  Portfolio of interpreting practice (uploaded to program’s dropbox) and must include one of each:

• ASL to English sample
• English to ASL sample
• Dialogic text sample

3. Two professional letters of reference:

• One from an interpreter or deaf community member
• One from a faculty member

The following are the technology requirements for cohort:

Access to or ownership of:

• Computer
• Web camera
• Headset with microphone (USB or Firewire)
• High-speed internet access (dial-up not accepted)
• Video capturing device (Kodak or Flip camera or the like
• Evrix membership (information for access provided by program)

The following are the requirements for continuing in the professional cohort:

• Maintain cumulative grade point average of 2.8
• Satisfactory (C or better) completion of clinical practice/field experiences

International Admission Requirements

International students should contact the University of Cincinnati's Office of Admission for details at 513-556-1100.

Application Information

Program Code

18BS-SLI

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall semester - February 1; spring semester - November 1; summer semester - March 1.

Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall semester - July 1; spring semester - November 1; summer semester - March 1.

Students applying for admission after closing dates may be referred to UC Blue Ash College or Clermont College. UC operates on a semester system, with 14-week grading periods. Fall semester will begin late August and end mid-December. Spring semester will begin in early January and end in late April. Summer semester will begin in early May and end in early August. While mid-year admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that semester.

 

Program Details

Program Requirements

Duration

4 years

Program Details

Signed language interpreting at the University of Cincinnati provides education at the baccalaureate (bachelor's) level. At the baccalaureate level, the program focuses on educating interpreters to apply evidence-based practices through consideration and application of various interpreting and translation theories. We focus on addressing standards as outlined by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE). Specifically, cohort members are required to complete course and field experiences to meet the prerequisites for state and national standards.

Advancement in the program is a two-step process. The first step is admission to the university. The host college is the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) as a signed language interpreting student. The second step involves admission into the professional cohort. Students will apply to the professional cohort during the sophomore year. For more information about the cohort selection process and criteria, please contact an academic advisor. During the sophomore year, SLI students who meet requirements for advancing in the program must attend a mandatory information meeting during fall semester and submit a completed application for admission to the signed language interpreting professional cohort that begins the following fall semester, junior year.

Enrollment is limited; admission is competitive.

Students must be admitted to the professional cohort in order to enroll in the professional cohort courses. During the fourth year, all students are required to complete a practicum or field experience series. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program requirements, students earn a bachelor’s of science degree in signed language interpreting from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements.
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 30 semester credit hours.
• File formal application for the degree by the posted deadline.

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Student Success Factors

Candidates who succeed in signed language interpreting demonstrate:

•      A history of academic success
•      The ability to collaborate with others, including those from diverse populations
•      Leadership characteristics
•      Responsible, caring, fair, honest and ethical behavior
•      A commitment to social justice and a diverse society
•      A history of good critical thinking and problem solving
•      Enthusiasm for working with deaf and hard of hearing children and adults

Career Possibilities

In general, graduates of the special education signed language interpreting specialization will work as interpreters in various education and/or community-based settings. Some students may work as freelance interpreters while others may seek employment as full or part-time staff interpreters within an agency, organization, or school.

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site.

Curriculum

Core Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use u.select to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See course descriptions by college.

Curriculum Guide Versions:

Fall 2012

Predominant Program

Fall (Year 1)
• ASL1001, Beginning American Sign Language I, DC, 3
• ENGL1001, English Composition, EC, 3
• SLI1011, Theory & Process of Interpreting I, , 3
• XXXXxxxx, Natural Science Elective, NS, 3
• ASL1003, Orientation to Deafness, DC, SE, 3

Spring (Year 1)
• ASL1002, Beginning American Sign Language II, DC, 3
• ASL1004, History of Deaf Heritage, SE, HP, 3
• XXXXxxxx, Diversity/Culture Elective, DC, 3
• XXXXxxxx, Social and Ethical Issues Elective, SE, 3
• XXXXxxxx, Humanities and Literature Elective, HU, 3

Summer (Year 1)
• N/A

Fall (Year 2)
• ASL2001, Intermediate American Sign Language I, DC, 3
• ASL2003, Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness, DC, SS, 3
• SLI2013, Topics in Interpreting, , 6
• XXXXxxxx, Historical Perspectives Elective, HP, 3

Spring (Year 2)
• ASL2002, Intermediate American Sign Language II, DC, 3
• SLI2012, Theory & Process of Interpreting II, , 3
• ASL2004, Legal Issues in Deafness, SE, 3
• SLI2014, Intercultural Communication for Interpreters, DC, 3
• ENGL2089, Intermediate Composition, EC, 3

Summer (Year 2)
• N/A

Fall (Year 3)
• ASL3001, Advanced American Sign Language I, , 3
• SLI3011, Theory & Process of Interpreting III, , 3
• SLI3013, Critical Analysis for Interpreters, SE, 3
• SLI3015, Educational Interpreting Theory & Process: Learning, , 3
• XXXXxxxx, Mathematics Elective, , 3

Spring (Year 3)
• ASL3002, Advanced American Sign Language II, , 3
• SLI3012, Theory & Process of Interpreting IV, , 3
• SLI3014, Discourse Analysis for Interpreters, , 3
• SLI3016, Educational Interpreting Theory & Process: Language, , 3
• SLI3017, Clinical Practice Preparation & Portfolio Development, , 3

Summer (Year 3)
• N/A

Fall (Year 4)
• SLI4001, Clinical Practice I, , 6
• SLI4021, Interpreting & Technology, , 3
• SLI4022, Professionalism, Ethics, & the Business of Interpreting , , 3
• XXXXxxxx, Free Elective, , 3

Spring (Year 4)
• SLI4002, Clinical Practice II, , 6
• SLI4023, Special Settings in Interpreting, , 3
• XXXXxxxx, Free Elective, , 3
• XXXXxxxx, Humanities and Literature Elective, HU, 3

Summer (Year 4)
• N/A

Minor Details

There is no minor in signed language interpreting. Students may contact the CECH Student Services Center for information on the deaf studies certificate.

Special Features

Special Opportunities

Formed as the Teachers College in 1905, the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) continually merits local, state and national recognition. Recent commendations include:

• UC is one of 96 institutions across the United States ranked as a level 1 research institution (classification: RU/VH) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
• Accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education
• CECH was recently ranked 55th in U.S. News & World Report
• The Best Practice Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)

Signed language interpreting provides small classes, talented faculty (deaf, hard of hearing and hearing) and extensive field and practicum experiences.

Contact

CECH Student Services Center

Email: cechssc@ucmail.uc.edu
Phone: 513-556-2336

361 Dyer Hall
Cincinnati,OH  45221