Division of Special Education

Interpreting Program Links

Home
About Interpreting
Program Information
Course of Study
Technology Requirements
Admissions
Financial Aid
Faculty
Contact
Request Information

American Sign Language/English Interpreting

Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science

About Our Program

WOU’s major in ASL/English Interpreting

Since 1976, WOU has been preparing students to meet the growing demand for professional interpreters. In 1993 WOU began to offer a bachelor's degree in Education (non-teaching) with a major in American Sign Language/English Interpreting. The program offers a broad-based liberal arts foundation for professional study and lifelong learning. The interpreting curriculum includes theory, skill development, and professional application. By selecting a minor to support the interpreting major, students have the opportunity to add depth and breadth to their base of knowledge while specializing in specific content areas that are congruent with their professional interpreting goals.

Why WOU?

• 2008 Winner of the Sorenson Video Relay Service Interpreter Education Award of Excellence
• Granted Accreditation, March 2010, by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education
• In addition, our students average a 3.7 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and have a higher than national average rate of passing the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) upon graduation.
• Federal scholarship for students interested in Educational Interpreting
• Research based curriculum
• Faculty current in the field of interpreting and conducting research in interpreter readiness, among other inquiries.

Mission: To prepare our graduates to enter the profession of interpreting.

Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to:
• 1. Demonstrate the academic foundation and world knowledge essential to effective interpreting.
• 2. Analyze communication situations and apply appropriate problem solving approaches as needed.
• 3. Interpret accurately between American Sign Language and English and collaborate effectively in a variety of settings and across a range of subject matter.

The American Sign Language/English Interpreting major is designed to prepare graduates to enter the interpreting field as professionals who make significant contributions to the service delivery team. The program combines classes in language development, linguistics, sociology, anthropology, education and professional practices, as well as interpreting theory, technique, and the application of knowledge and skills to interpreting performance. Courses are taught by highly qualified instructors and students interact with professional interpreters and consumers throughout their term of study.

Credit Requirements

There are 67 credits in the major. You can find more information in the Internship Handbook.

Program Format

Once accepted into the major, students are required to complete necessary coursework in a cohort over two years. Terms average 10 credit hours in the major leaving room in your schedule to complete LACC, BA/BS requirements, and minor coursework. Currently this program is primarily face-to-face but there is a heavy emphasis on technology skill development as well with the use of Moodle and other technology for course assignments and communication.

Elements of the Bachelor’s Degree

**there are no wasted courses for a pre-interpreter, remember that throughout your LACC coursework

Contact

Division of Special Education
phone: 503-838-8322
e-mail: education@wou.edu

Cheryl Davis, Ph.D., Chair
Division of Special Education
davisc@wou.edu . 503-838-8053