Sign Language Interpreting, BS

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Program Description:

Wright State University’s Bachelor of Science Completion degree in Sign Language Interpreting (SLI) is designed for students who have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree program in American Sign Language interpreting/Interpreting for the Deaf.

Today’s interpreters work with a variety of deaf consumers: those who acquired American Sign Language (ASL) as their first language, those who communicate through a form of visual English, and those who use a contact variety form of English and ASL. Interpreters also work with a variety of hearing consumers: from those who are familiar with American deaf culture and the process of interpreting, to those who are communicating with a deaf person for the first time.

Students in this program will complete 40 semester hours of professional requirements in courses focused on enhancement of interpersonal, personal, language and interpreting skills needed to work in today’s world. Additionally, 20-25 credits of general education courses beyond the associate degree coursework may be needed to fulfill the Wright State Core requirements for a bachelor degree. This number will vary depending on the number of general education courses taken at the associate level. Students can complete the general education requirements by taking extra courses and finishing the Ohio Transfer Module before transferring to Wright State University.

There are currently no licensing requirements for gerneralist sign language interpreters and transliterators in the State of Ohio.  There are Certification requirements for legal  interpreters and transliterators and Licensing requirements for educational interpreters.  Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state, and we have not determined if this program meets educational requirements outside of Ohio. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state’s licensure or qualification requirements.

Admission Requirements

• Associate degree in sign language interpreting or the equivalent 
• Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.35 
• Application to the program director 
• Baseline proficiency of American Sign Language as determined by the sign language interpreting faculty 

Program Learning Outcomes 

The fundamental objective of the Sign Language Interpreting degree is to prepare students to enter the field as professionals who work at a high level of proficiency in both ASL and English, while conducting themselves in professional and ethical ways. 

Graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of linguistics and interpretation theories.
2. Interpret effectively from voice to sign.
3. Transliterate effectively from voice to sign. 
4. Effectively interpret from sign to spoken English.
5. Participate as effective members of service delivery teams.
6. Employ strong ethical practices and standards of practice in all aspects of their work.
7. Demonstrate awareness of several specialty areas of interpreting - E.g. educational, medical, mental health, legal, theatrical and performance, etc.
8. Describe how the world of interpreting and the deaf community are part of an ever-changing tapestry and find ways to keep abreast of the changes.         
9. Demonstrate awareness of the importance of continuing on a course of life-long-learning to hone their skills and develop them accordingly to better serve themselves, their community and their profession.

For additional information:

• Sign Language Interpreting, BS
• School of Social Work and Human Services
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

ELEMENT 1: COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2: MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3: GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4: ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5: SOCIAL SCIENCES: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 CREDITS

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 6 HOURS

II. Departmental Requirements: 34 Hours

• SLI 3000 - Ethics and Laws in Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3200 - Current Topics in Deafness and Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3400 - Linguistics of American Sign Language Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3600 - Advanced Sign to English - Voice Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 4
• SLI 3800 - Advanced Interpreting I Credit Hour(s): 4
• SLI 4400 - Specialized Interpreting Settings Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4570 - Interpreting for the Deaf in Medical Settings Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4600 - Transliteration Credit Hour(s): 4
• SLI 4800 - Advanced Interpreting II Credit Hour(s): 4
• SLI 4900 - SLI Senior Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Departmental Elective Requirements: 6 Hours

Choose two from the following list.  Courses are offered on a rotating basis

• SLI 3510 - ASL Discourse Analysis for Interpreters Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3520 - Interpreter Ethics and Decision Making Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3530 - Consecutive Interpreting in ASL Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3540 - Sign to English-Voice Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3550 - Interpreter Mentoring Techniques Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3560 - Signing Exact English Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3570 - Business Aspects of Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 3580 - Advanced American Sign Language for Interpreters Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4200 - Educational Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4510 - Educational Interpreting: English to Sign Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4520 - Educational Interpreting: Sign to English Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4530 - Deaf-Blind Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4540 - Interpreting in Mental Health Settings Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4550 - Interpreting for Theater Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4560 - Interpreting for the Deaf in Legal Settings Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4580 - RID Interpreter Certification Preparation Credit Hour(s): 3
• SLI 4710 - Topics in Sign Language Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

IV. Transfer Credits: 42 Hours

• All students must have an Associate degree in Sign Language Interpreting for the Deaf.

Total: 120 Hours