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)