Master of Education [M.Ed] [Special Education (ASL/English Interpreting)] From Kent State University

The ASL/English Interpreting concentration prepares students to work with children and adults who have hearing loss or are deaf in both educational and community settings. Graduates may apply for licensure from the State of Ohio to interpret in pre-K-12. Students also receive instruction and practice necessary to interpret in community settings, including medical and mental health venues, social service offices, job sites and universities to name a few. This intensive major challenges and prepares students for the dynamic and diverse field of sign language interpreting. All of the instructors are nationally certified with extensive careers as interpreters in a wide variety of venues. The coursework and instructors guide students in developing interpreting expertise, sign language fluency and professional ethics. Students have three years of ASL instruction. Coursework encompasses interpreting process models and their application; analytical approaches to professional and ethical decision-making; interpreting proficiency across a variety of settings and consumers; and comparative analysis of English and ASL through the study of linguistics, discourse structures and features, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Students learn self-assessment strategies for lifelong learning and receive guidance in preparing for the RID NIC and EIPA national certifications. A key component for this major is over 500 hours of practicum experiences with interpreter mentors. Students qualify for the advanced interpreting practicum in their final semester by passing the Sign Language Proficiency interview (SLPI) at the intermediate level or a minimum level 2 score on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI).