Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Interpretation

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 state of the art 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 program is designed to prepare interpreters and researchers who will provide exemplary services and become leaders in the field. The masters program offers two concentrations, Combined Interpreting Practice and Research (CIPR) and Interpreting Research (IR). The concentrations are available for Deaf, hard-of- hearing, and hearing people who meet the University's Graduate School and Department of Interpretation admission requirements. Some of our classes have remote access, i.e. class attendance can be via videoconferencing technology (currently FUZE) and the program does offer some traditional asynchronous online courses. This does not apply for all of our classes, as some of the skills classes require a physical presence in the classroom. We are not an online program, and all courses are taught in ASL. 

Early application is encouraged for applicants to be considered for financial aid and to ensure that spots are available.  

If you are unsure that you meet the requirements for the MA program, please contact the MA coordinator before you apply.

Student Learning Outcomes
Following are the student learning outcomes (SLOs) for the MA in Interpretation Program.

1. Graduates of the Interpretation Program effectively interpret face-to- face encounters in dialogic/one-on- one and small group settings with a variety of participants.
2. Graduates of the Interpretation Program effectively interpret face-to- face encounters in monologic settings with a variety of participants.
3. Graduates of the Interpretation Program apply professional standards, practices, and ethics, not limited to the tenets of the Code of Professional Conduct, to their work.
4. Graduates of the Interpretation Program demonstrate an understanding of multi-cultural approaches to the work of interpretation by demonstrating effective bi-lingual and bi-cultural practice within their work.
5. Graduates of the Interpretation program apply academic, professional, and world knowledge to the choices and decisions they make while interpreting.
6. Graduates of the Interpretation Program assess and analyze their own competencies for interpreting in relation to a variety of interpreting settings and in relation to a variety of participants in interpreted interactions.
7. Graduates of the Interpretation Program apply theoretical knowledge of interpretation studies to their interpreting practice, analyses, and research questions.
8. Graduates of the Interpretation program effectively design and carry out all phases of original research.

All materials including transcript, GRE, ASLPI, letters, etc. will be requested when your formal application process has begun. We recommend that students schedule the ASLPI and GRE as early as possible.

We do not send out the DOI DVD until we have received all of the other required information and ensured that ASLPI scores are 3 or greater.

Ph.D. Program

The Department of Interpretation offers a Ph.D. degree in interpretation, with a focus on signed-spoken language interpretation. This program is available for Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing people who are experienced interpreters and who meet the University's Graduate School and Department of Interpretation admission requirements.

The program is designed to prepare future interpreter educators and researchers who will provide exemplary leadership in the interpreting field. Students may specialize in one of two theoretical and applied areas: interpreting research or interpretation pedagogy, or do a combined program. Both areas have a strong emphasis on research and require completion of original research and a dissertation.

Applicants for the Ph.D. in Interpretation must have previous graduate studies in interpretation or translation studies, or a closely related field. Successful completion and graduation from the MAI program at Gallaudet meets this requirement. Applicants must also have at least three years of full time equivalent of interpreting experience, however we strongly encourage applicants to have at least five years of full time interpreting experience. The program includes research-focused courses that address interpretation studies from various disciplines, courses focusing on critical pedagogy, research and teaching internships, and elective courses. As part of their education, students will examine curriculum and assessment at the only university currently offering a BA, MA, and Ph.D. in ASL-English interpretation.

Interpretation courses are taught in ASL by noted scholars in a variety of disciplines, including linguistics, sociolinguistics, sociology, and interdisciplinary studies. Faculty maintain active teaching, researching, and/or interpreting practices. Students have the opportunity to work with renowned interpreting scholars from around the U.S. and abroad.

We offer synchronous, remote possibilities within traditional courses; we are not an online program. While we encourage students to come to the Gallaudet University Campus, residency requirements can now be met by taking coursework remotely. On-campus students have the opportunity to learn and teach in new interpreting classrooms and labs, and experience how the GU mission is put into practice in our B.A. in Interpretation [BAI] or the M.A. in Interpretation [MAI] programs. Ultimately the doctoral program aims to produce interpreting scholars prepared to research, teach, and become leaders in the field of interpretation.

Gallaudet provides a unique opportunity for doctoral students to live and study and interact with people from across the country and around the world.

If you are unsure that you meet the requirements for the PhD program, please contact the PhD coordinator before you apply.

Student Learning Outcomes
Following are the student learning outcomes (SLOS) for the PhD in Interpreting Program.

1. Graduates of the Interpretation Program demonstrate critical thinking skills in the reading, discussion, analysis, and writing about the core constructs and claims within the interdisciplinary field of interpreting studies.
2. Graduates of the Interpretation Program demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical, academic, professional, and world knowledge of interpretation studies to their teaching and research questions
3. Graduates of the Interpretation Program demonstrate an understanding of multi-cultural approaches to the work of interpretation by demonstrating effective bi-lingual and bi-cultural practice within their scholarly and/or pedagogical work.
4. Graduates of the Interpretation Program effectively teach interpretation
5. Graduates of the Interpretation Program effectively design and carry out all phases of independent research projects, including original dissertation research on interpretation.