Student Expectations
Duration and Credit Hours
The program sequence may begin in either the fall or spring semester. Students who meet the prerequisites, enroll full-time, and follow the sequence, can expect to complete the Associate of Arts degree in four (4) semesters and the Bachelor of Arts degree in nine (9) semesters. The Associate of Arts degree requires 63 credit hours to complete and includes 15 credit hours of University core requirements, one elective course and a practicum. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires 124-125 credit hours to complete and includes 44 credit hours of university core requirements, one elective course, an internship, and an 18-19 credit hour minor.
Program of Study and Content
Interpreter education requires a task analysis based approach to the study of interpretation, and learning by doing is an essential part of the learning process. Courses are sequenced to teach the basic principles of language and communication and to establish a knowledge base from which to teach interpretation. Interpretation is taught by beginning with the less demanding activity of consecutive interpretation and progressing to the activity of simultaneous interpretation. The program of study includes second language learning; foundation courses in deafness, deaf culture, interpreting, and multi-culturalism; and beginning to advanced methods courses in interpretation and transliteration. Since the curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for employment as professional interpreters, priority is placed on the acquisition of requisite knowledge, values, and skills by balancing second language learning and interpretation theory with practical applications.
Expected Student Outcomes
The successful graduate integrates theory and practice, is able to draw on a wide repertoire of skills and ideas, and is behaviorally and emotionally committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional excellence. The goal is to prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills to pass tests for national certification within three to five years of graduation. Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree graduates are expected to pass the Mid-America Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST) at successively higher levels. Upon completion of the A.A. degree, graduates must obtain an entry-intermediate level in interpreting and transliterating (QAST Level I-II) to proceed to the B.A. and B.A. degree graduates are expected to obtain an intermediate-advanced level (QAST Level III-V).