M.A. in Interpretation

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 instruction. The M.A. in Interpretation program consists of a comprehensive, sequenced, and integrated series of courses and experiences in five core areas: education, business and government, medical, mental health, and legal settings. These courses and experiences 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. This includes an interpreting practicum and rotation, along with an internship, which is developed on an individual basis for each student. The M.A. interpreter preparation program follows is in a two-year format, consisting of four semesters followed by a summer internship. The program requires the completion of 48 credit hours of course work. An accelerated program is also available for students with a Gallaudet B.A. in Interpretation degree, requiring the completion of 33 credit hours of course work. The program also is available in a three-year format for students who need an additional year of advanced language classes. Part-time study is also available.

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
First Date for Consideration of Application:	January 15th
Last Date for Completed Application:	April 15th or until all possible slots are filled. Students are accepted on a rolling basis.

Program Specific Requirements

Official transcript of all college work
GRE or MAT
3 letters of reference - one letter should cite sign language skills
An ASLPI score of 3.0 or higher
Video ASL and English samples - obtain this from the department

Recommended Undergraduate Major

ASL 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 701 History of Interpreting (3)
INT 707 Structure of Language for Interpreters: American Sign Language and English (3)
INT 720 Discourse Analysis for Interpreters (3) INT 726 Fundamentals of Interpreting (3)
INT 726 Fundamentals of Interpreting (3)
INT 734 Interpreting Legal Discourse (3)
INT 735 Interpreting Mental Health Discourse (3)
INT 736 Professional Practice I (3)
INT 744 Interpreting the Discourse of Education (3)
INT 746 Interpreting Business and Government Discourse
INT 749 Professional Practice II (3)
INT 750 Research Methods in Interpretation (3)
INT 754 Interpreting Medical Discourse (3)
INT 777 Guided Research Project I (3)
INT 778 Guided Research Project II (3)
INT 781 Field Rotation (3)
INT 785 Internship (3)

Graduation Requirements

NIC Knowledge Eam or CDI Written Exam

Students are required to successfully pass RID's National Interpreter Certification (NIC) Knowledge Exam or RID's Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Written Exam by December 1st during their last academic year in the MA in Interpretation program.

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 (Fall)

Semester II (Spring)

INT 734 Interpreting Legal Discourse (3)
INT 735 Interpreting Mental Health Discourse (3)
INT 736 Professional Practice I (3)
INT 750 Research Methods in Interpretation (3)

Qualifying Exam

Semester III (Fall)

INT 744 Interpreting the Discourse of Education (3)
INT 746 Interpreting Business and Government Discourse (3)
INT 749 Professional Practice II (3)
INT 777 Guided Research Project I (3)

RID NIC Knowledge Exam or CDI Written Exam

Semester IV (Spring)

INT 754 Interpreting Medical Discourse (3)
INT 778 Guided Research Project II (3)
INT 781 Field Rotation (3)
Optional Elective (3)

Comprehensive Exam

Semester V (Summer)

INT 785 Internship (3)