Gallaudet University is the only university in the world that offers both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in ASL-English Interpretation, centered around the department's award-winning interactive interpretation laboratory. Gallaudet provides a unique opportunity for interpretation majors to live, study, and interact with Deaf people from the United States and around the world.
The M.A. in Interpretation program is designed to prepare and educate deaf, hard of hearing and hearing persons in working as interpreters in deaf and hearing communities. The program provides a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to interpretation, centered around the department's award-winning interactive interpretation laboratory. This program is recognized and approved by the Conference of Interpreter Trainers for meeting interpreter graduate education standards. The M.A. in Interpretation program consists of a comprehensive, sequenced, and integrated series of courses and experiences that are intended to provide students with the necessary mastery of knowledge, techniques, and skills required for entry to professional work in the field of interpretation or advanced graduate study. Close interaction among students, mentors, and faculty is provided in a setting that offers a wide array of academic and interpreting experiences. The interpreting practicum and internship varies from student to student. The M.A. interpreter preparation program mainly is in a two-year format, which consists of four semesters and one summer internship. The program requires the completion of 59 credit hours of course work. The program is available in a three-year format for students who need an additional year of advanced language classes. Part-time study is also available.
For the program of study and requirements for the M.A. in Interpretation, click the link "Program of Study" in the right-side menu.
Admissions Procedures
Applicants for the M.A. in Interpretation must complete the application procedures and meet the requirements for graduate study at Gallaudet University. Visit the Graduate Admissions web site for more information and a checklist of application requirements. Detailed program information and course descriptions are also available in the Graduate Catalog.
DEADLINE | DATE |
|---|
| Last Date for Completed Application: | March 1 |
| First Date for Consideration of Application: | No set date |
Program Specific Requirements
GRE or MAT
Three Letters of Reference - one letter should cite sign language skills
Videotape of Signing
On-Campus Interview
Sign Language Evaluation
English Evaluation
Recommended Undergraduate Major
ALS Studies
Deaf Studies
Interpretation
Linguistics
Social Science
English
Program of Study
Core Courses for M.A. in Interpretation
All students admitted to the two-year program must complete the following core courses with grades of B or better:
INT 714 Formal American Sign Language (3)
INT 718 Building Translation Skills: English (2)
INT 719 Building Translation Skills: ASL (2)
INT 724 Cognitive Processing Skills: English (2)
INT 725 Cognitive Processing Skills: American Sign Language (2)
INT 728 English Translation (2)
INT 729 ASL Translation (2)
INT 732 Consecutive Interpretation (4)
INT 738 ASL to English Simultaneous Interpretation: Monologues (2)
INT 739 English to ASL Simultaneous Interpretation: Monologues (2)
INT 740 Simultaneous Interpretation Interactive (4)
INT 745 Interpreting English Signing: Dialogues and Monologues (4)
INT 747 ASL to English Simultaneous Interpretation Monologues: II (2)
INT 748 English to ASL Simultaneous Interpretation Monologues: II (2)
INT 751 Advanced Simultaneous Interpretation I (1)
INT 752 Advanced Simultaneous Interpretation II (1)
INT 775 Research Methods in Interpretation (3)
INT 780 Practicum Seminar: The Interpreting Profession (3)
INT 781 Practicum Seminar: Cultural Mediation (3)
INT 785 Internship (3-9)
LIN 705 Introduction to Language and Communication (3)
LIN 707 The Structure of Language: English and American Sign Language (4)
LIN 741 Sociolinguistics of the U.S. Deaf Community (3)
Practicum and Internship
Practical classroom-based experiences are incorporated into each semester of the program. These experiences include directed observation in interpreting events on the university campus and in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Internship experience is designed to provide students with the opportunity to synthesize practical and academic experiences gained during the in-residence portion of the M.A. in Interpretation program. Students and the internship coordinator will agree upon a suitable site, supervision, and plan of activity. Internship sites can be in any state in the U.S. and/or in other countries.
Examinations
Qualifying Examination
At the end of the first year (in the two-year format), all students must successfully complete a qualifying examination including a conceptual component and a skills component. Students unable to achieve a passing score will be asked either to do remedial work and retake the examination or to withdraw from the program. Failure on this examination may be grounds for probation.
Comprehensive Examination
During the final semester of full-time coursework, all students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination that will include a conceptual component and a skills evaluation. This examination is offered to students in the final semester of the program each spring semester. Students must take this exam in the semester immediately preceding internship. Enrollment in internship is contingent on passing this exam.
Lab Fee
Students enrolled in the M.A. in Interpretation program must pay a lab fee for using the program's classroom and laboratory equipment and facilities.
Typical Program of Study
Semester I
INT 718 Building Translation Skills: English (2)
INT 719 Building Translation Skills: ASL (2)
INT 724 Cognitive Processing Skills: English (2)
INT 725 Cognitive Processing Skills: American Sign Language (2)
LIN 705 Introduction to Language and Communication (3)
LIN 707 The Structure of Language: English and American Sign Language (4)
Semester II
INT 714 Formal American Sign Language (3)
INT 728 English Translation (2)
INT 729 ASL Translation (2)
INT 732 Consecutive Interpretation (4)
INT 738 ASL to English Simultaneous Interpretation: Monologues (2)
INT 739 English to ASL Simultaneous Interpretation: Monologues (2)
Semester III
INT 740 Simultaneous Interpretation Interactive (4)
INT 747 ASL to English Simultaneous Interpretation Monologues: II (2)
INT 748 English to ASL Simultaneous Interpretation Monologues:: II (2)
INT 775 Research Methods in Interpretation (3)
INT 780 Practicum Seminar: The Interpreting Profession (3)
Semester IV
INT 745 Interpreting English Signing: Dialogues and Monologues (4)
INT 751 Advanced Simultaneous Interpretation I (1)
INT 752 Advanced Simultaneous Interpretation II (1)
INT 781 Practicum Seminar: Cultural Mediation (3)
LIN 741 Sociolinguistics of the U.S. Deaf Community (3)
Semester V
INT 785 Internship (3-9)
Note: Students who enter the Ph.D. program in linguistics with a Gallaudet M.A. in Deaf Studies focusing on language teaching will be able to complete Ph.D. coursework in four semesters rather than six, since as many as 25 of their M.A. credits may be credited toward the Ph.D.
