Launching this fall, Gallaudet’s new Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Pre-Translation Studies offers a new pathway for students who want to become sign language interpreters.
Demand for interpreters is growing across the U.S., but there is a shortage of professionals with strong sign language and cultural skills. The new Pre-Translation Studies AA degree helps students refine their American Sign Language (ASL) skills on their way to becoming professional interpreters.
“One of the goals of the AA program is to ensure students have the requisite language and fluency and knowledge to get their bachelor’s in Interpretation,” says Dr. Campbell McDermid, G-’88, Professor in Gallaudet’s Interpretation Program.
And there is no better place to do this than at Gallaudet, where students study and socialize with the world’s most robust community of signers. Not only is the new program designed to leverage this immersive experience, but it also aims to help address the nationwide demand for interpreters and translators.
Flexibility and intentionality
The AA program’s structure intentionally scaffolds and builds language fluency: not only will students study ASL, but all their courses are conducted in ASL for maximum language exposure.
The first year of the program is conducted entirely online, followed by a one-year on-campus residency to fully immerse students in Gallaudet’s linguistic and cultural world. Students will then be prepared to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Interpretation, or can pursue related degrees in language, culture, and other communication fields at other institutions.
The program is open to deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students. The AA is a strong choice for deaf and hard of hearing students seeking Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification as a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI), as it meets the current 40-hour training requirement and covers some of the readings required to pass the CDI Knowledge Exam. The online portion allows them to learn from home, in their native language, without having to give up employment or move to Washington, D.C. for 4 years.
“The program’s blended delivery model has been designed for students who are not financially able to move to D.C. to start university, but can instead take the opportunity to study remotely from home in the first year, which is a great savings,” says McDermid.
A natural home for interpretation study and practice, Gallaudet currently offers a B.A. in Interpretation (BAI). All the courses in the 60-credit AA program transfer to the BAI, allowing students to experience a 2+2 program and graduate with a BA in four years, if they so choose. Students looking for further education can continue on to Gallaudet’s two Master’s Interpretation tracks, and a Ph.D in Translation and Interpreting Studies.
Dean of Faculty, Dr. Maribel Gárate-Estes, G-’97 & PhD ’07, looks forward to welcoming these new students next fall. “This is such an exciting step for Gallaudet. This program gives students a true entry point into interpreting grounded in language, community, and experience. It’s flexible, it’s immersive, and it opens the door into a field that really needs them,” she says.
Find out more about Gallaudet’s interpreting programs and how to apply to the new AA in Pre-Translation Studies.
