ASL-English Interpretation

UNC's ASLEI program offers a four-year degree in interpreting. The ASLEI curriculum builds upon your fluency in ASL and English in Year 1 and 2 and develops your interpreting skills in Year 3 and 4. 

Click on bolded words for hyperlinks to more detailed information. 

Overview of ASLEI

Sequence of the ASLEI Major

As an ASLEI student, you will complete 73 credits in the major. In addition to the major, you will complete 31 credits of Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) and 16 credits in complimentary coursework (i.e., a minor, an area of concentration, or electives). 

The total number of credits you take each semester depends on a variety of factors, including financial aid, requirements of minors and/or concentrations, transfer credits, etc. 

Major courses are offered once a year and in a specific sequence.

Any changes to the typical plan of study or length of study will come from ASLEI advisors after you have been accepted into the program.

• ASLEI Begins with ASL V

  As a future interpreter, you must have a strong foundation of language fluency in ASL and English before entering the program. As such, the ASLEI program begins with ASL V. 

    

  If you are not ready for ASL V, you must build your ASL foundational before applying. 

• YEAR 1

  FALL
  

  ---

  INTR 100
  Strategies for ASLEI Success (1)

  INTR 101
  ASL V (3)

  INTR 111
  ASL Linguistics (3)

  7 major credits

  7 suggested credits
  towards
  LAC or Minor requirements

  SPRING
  

  ---

  INTR 102
  ASL VI (3)

  INTR 201
  Ethics for Interpreters (3)

  6 major credits

  9 suggested credits
  towards
  LAC or Minor requirements

  SUMMER
  

  ---

  INTR 103
  ASL Skills for Interpreters I (3)

  INTR 113
  Discourse Analysis (3)

  6 major credits

• YEAR 2

  FALL
  

  ---

  INTR 112
  Theory & Practice of Interpreting (3)

  INTR 204
  ASL Skills for Interpreters II (3)

  INTR 312
  Intercultural Communication (3)

  9 major credits

  3 suggested credits
  towards
  LAC or Minor requirements

  SPRING
  

  ---

  INTR 206
  Meaning Transfer Skills (3) 

  ASL 310
  Deaf Culture (3) 

  6 major credits

  9 suggested credits
  towards
  LAC or Minor requirements

  SUMMER
  

  ---

  INTR 230
  Research Methods for Interpreters (1) 

  INTR 245
  Interpreting Skills & Theory I (5)

  6 major credits

• YEAR 3

  FALL
  

  ---

  INTR 345
  Interpreting Skills & Theory II (6) 

  INTR 430
  Interpreting in K-12 Educational Settings (3)

  9 major credits

  3 suggested credits
  towards LAC, Minor, Concentration, or Elective requirements

  SPRING
  

  ---

  INTR 330
  Observation-Supervision (3) 

  INTR 355
  Interpreting Skills & Theory III (3) 

  6 major credits

  7 suggested credits
  towards LAC, Minor, Concentration, or Elective requirements
  

  SUMMER
  

  ---

  INTR 445
  Interpreting Skills & Theory IV (5) 

  INTR 449
  Senior Seminar (1) 

  6 major credits

• YEAR 4

  FALL
  

  ---

  INTR 440
  Interpreting in Community Settings (3)

  INTR 450
  Senior Capstone (3)

  6 major credits

  6 suggested credits
  towards LAC, Minor, Concentration, or Elective requirements

  SPRING
  

  ---

  INTR 401
  Professional Decision-Making for Interpreters (3)

  INTR 492
  Internship for Interpreters (3)

  6 major credits

  3 suggested credits
  towards LAC, Minor, Concentration, or Elective requirements

   

Specifics of ASLEI

• Delivery Methods, Cost & Scholarships

  Delivery Methods

  The ASLEI program is offered on-campus or online to fit your learning and financial needs.

  

  On Campus ASLEI Program

  • Traditional learning environment
  • Synchronous classroom meetings
  • Offered on UNC's Greeley campus
  • Mandatory summer residential session

  

  Online ASLEI Program

  • Non-traditional learning environment
  • Asynchronous through Canvas
  • Offered through Extended Campus
  • Mandatory summer residential session

  As an ASLEI student, you will select one delivery methods to complete the program.

  

  On Campus

  Fall & Spring = On Campus
  Summer = Online + Residential Session

  If student numbers are low, you will take online courses.

  

  Online

  Fall & Spring = Online
  Summer = Online + Residential Session

  You will complete the same courses and benchmarks with either delivery method.

  Canvas

  All of your courses, no matter the delivery method, will be structured with assignments and due dates. Canvas is UNC's learning management system and is the main way you will access course content.

  Technical Requirements

  Visit Extended Campus to learn more about the technical requirements of an online program. This information also applies if you plan to be an on campus student.

  Cost

  

  On Campus Tuition Rates

  • Variable rate based on in- and out-of-state residency
  • Visit Admissions for tuition costs

  

  Online Tuition Rates

  • Set rate no matter your residency
  • Visit Extended Campus for tuition costs

  Additional ASL Course Fee: 

  Modern language courses, including American Sign Language, typically include a language lab fee to cover costs of the language lab during the class.  For many spoken language labs this covers the cost of software and/or equipment.  Based on research and a pilot project the ASL faculty determined that students learn ASL best through authentic communication with native users of ASL. Therefore, the course fee covers the costs associated with hiring language specialists who interact in real-time using authentic and native language with ASL students. 

  Scholarship

  You can apply to various UNC scholarships to help pay for your interpreting education.

  If you are interested in interpreting in K-12 educational settings, you can apply to the Preparing School Interpreters (PSI) Project. The PSI Project is offering scholarships to a total of 27 ASLEI students between 2021-2026. 

• Potential Changes to the ASLEI Sequence

  Changes to the typical plan of study or length of study are based on:

  Language Proficiency

  Life experience with ASL:

  • Being a heritage signer
  • Having completed non-credit ASL classes

  

  ASL retro-credit may be available.

  Transferable Courses

  Acceptance of ASL and interpreting courses that align with the ASLEI courses.

  

  Interpreting programs vary greatly. All your previous coursework may not fit within the ASLEI plan of study.

  Professional Credentials

  • RID
  • ED:K-12 (ASL or PSE only)
  • 4.0+ on the EIPA performance & the EIPA written

  The major will take 4 years to complete even with the LAC requirement satisfied.

  

  Last Entry Point into ASLEI

  Summer of Year 2 begins the courses developing your interpreting skills. This is the last entry point if you are a working interpreter holding national credentials (listed above).

• DOC Screening: A Program Requirement

  You will complete the Demonstration of Competencies (DOC) Screening as part of your application process to show you are ready for the ASLEI curriculum. Candidates for the ASLEI Program must have completed ASL I-IV and have earned a grade of "A" or "B" on college transcript within the past 3 years.  Those who have taken ASL courses prior to that may be considered on a case by case basis depending on evidence of continued involvement in the Deaf/ASL community. 

  

  $175 fee for the DOC Screening

  

  Limited annual offerings of the DOC Screening

  The DOC is an assessment of your ASL skills; not other forms of signed communication like Signing Exact English (SEE), Pidgin Signed English (PSE), or other contact varieties.

  The DOC is a limited timed, self-paced, online screening with five components:

  1. ASL Expression = Your production of ASL
  2. ASL Reception = Your comprehension of ASL
  3. Spoken English = Your comprehension and production of verbal English
  4. Written English = Your comprehension and production of printed English
  5. Knowledge = Your knowledge of ASL grammar and Deaf culture

  
  Passing grades in ASL I-IV does not ensure fluency and readiness for the ASLEI program.

  Alternative to DOC

   If you hold professional credentials, the DOC will be waived as your credentials demonstrate your language competency.  

  Accepted interpreting credentials:

  RID

  ED:K-12
  (ASL or PSE only)

  4.0+ EIPA performance
  & the EIPA written

• Summer Residential Session: A Program Requirement

  As a ASLEI student, you will take a six week session each summer. 

  Summer Session

  

  Begin courses online

  2 week session
  Typically the end of June

  

  Continue courses on UNC campus

  4 week residential session
  Typically in July
  Classes on weekdays (8:00-5:00)
  Daily & weekend assignments

  The Summer Residential Session is mandatory for all ASLEI students no matter your delivery method during the fall and spring semesters. The summer session establishes a foundation of knowledge and skills that you will build upon in the following semesters.

  The summer session creates a community of Deaf and hearing students from the ASL-English Interpretation and TASL programs. 

  Summer Information & Cost

  During the spring semester, you will be provided with information (i.e., dates, room, dining, etc.) to plan your residential session each summer. 

  The summer residential housing costs are approximately $1,300 for students who stay in UNC's residence halls. Meals are an additional cost and plans can be purchased. 

• Practicum Experience

  You will complete 300 hours of practicum experiences during your ASLEI program.

  140 hours

  

  During various courses
  Years 2, 3 & 4

  160 hours

  

  During INTR 492
  Year 4 - Spring

  You may be required to submit a criminal background, fingerprinting and or a drug test prior to practicum/field-based experiences. 

  Practicum experiences for the first 140 hours should happen in your home area.

  It is your responsibility to locate and secure these practicum experiences. The ASLEI program will support and assist you in finding local practicum experiences. If a local practicum experience is unavailable, you may need to travel to complete the requirements. 

  Internship for Interpreters is the final 160 hours of practicum. Your internship may occur outside of your home area. 

  The ASLEI program will assign you to an internship site which may require you to travel or relocate for the length of the internship.  Expenses you may incur during your internship include travel, room and board ( you will make your own living arrangements) and any other personal expenses in addition to the tuition and course required materials. 

• Language of Instruction

  ASLEI uses a bilingual approach. Various courses present content in different modes of communication (ASL as well as spoken and written English) by Deaf and hearing instructors.

   

  Therefore, you must have a strong foundation in ASL and English.

• Entry-to-Practice Competenices

  The ASLEI program is based on 34 performance standards called the Entry-to-Practice Competencies.

  The competencies encompass

  
  Theory & Knowledge

  
  Human Relations

   
  Language Skills

  
  Interpreting Skills

  
  Professionalism

  The Entry-to-Practice Competencies allow you to confidently provide interpreting services in a range of low-risk settings with professional autonomy.

  Upon graduation, you will be work-ready for general practice and can confidently approach professional credentials within a year.

  The ASLEI program recognizes there are additional specialties in the field of interpreting; deaf-blind interpreting, deaf interpreting, trilingual interpreting, medical interpreting, and so forth. Interest in specialties are often gained by working experience and professional/certification programs beyond the ASLEI degree. 

• Essential Function of an ASL-English Interpreter

  In order for you to become an ASL–English interpreter, you must possess specific skills, experience, education, and abilities required to successfully provide professional services.

  This includes the ability to perform essential job functions (informed by the state of Texas Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters).

   Essential Physical Abilities 

  The essential physical abilities of a nonintermediary, or nondeaf, interpreter are:

  • Hearing: the ability to hear, identify, and understand the speech of another person without relying on visual assistance.
  • Speech: the ability to speak clearly so that the speech is understandable to a listener.
  • Vision: the ability to see details of another person's hand shapes, hand movements, and facial expressions from a distance of three to six feet.
  • Facial expression: the ability to control the muscles of the face in order to manipulate the eyebrows, cheeks, mouth, and nose.
  • Manual dexterity: the ability to quickly make coordinated movements of one hand, a hand together with its arm, two hands, or two hands together with arms.
  • Finger dexterity: the ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands.
  • Wrist-finger speed: the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
  • Limb movement: the ability to move the arms to place the hands slightly above the head, and to extend the arms away from the front of the body and to the sides of the body.
  • Limb movement speed: the ability to quickly move the arms.
  • Dual-limb coordination: the ability to coordinate movements of both arms while sitting or standing.
  • Head: the ability to control the head in order to nod and to turn it from side to side.
  • Physical stamina: the ability to endure moderate physical exertion without getting winded or out-of-breath for at least 30 minutes. 

  Essential Cognitive Abilities 

  The essential cognitive abilities of a nonintermediary, nondeaf interpreter are:

  • Critical thinking: the ability to use logic and analysis to assess communication in order to make adjustments in approaches to interpretation.
  • Self-monitoring: the ability to monitor and assess the interpretation during and after a task.
  • Selective attention: the ability to concentrate and be undistracted while performing a task, and to sustain that attention over a period of time. 
  • Auditory attention: the ability to focus on a single source of auditory information in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Visual attention: the ability to focus on a single source of visual information in the presence of other distracting movements in the surrounding area.
  • Mental stamina: the ability to sustain a significant amount of mental processing without fatigue or breakdown for at least 30 minutes.
  • Working memory: the ability to remember information such as concepts, words, and numbers for a brief time while interpreting.
  • Information ordering: the ability to track and arrange information in a certain order.
  • Pattern inference: the ability to quickly make sense of information even when parts of that information may appear to be missing.
  • Time sharing: the ability to efficiently shift between two or more activities or tasks, and between two or more sources of information.
  • Problem sensitivity: the ability to recognize when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
  • Fluency of ideas: the ability to generate a number of ideas about a given topic. (This concerns the number of ideas produced and not the quality, correctness, or creativity of the ideas.)
  • Breadth of knowledge: an acquaintance or understanding, at the introductory level or higher, of a broad variety of topics and fields of interest. 

  Essential Cultural Knowledge and Linguistic Abilities 

  The essential cultural knowledge and linguistic abilities of a nonintermediary, nondeaf interpreter are:  

  English language:
  

  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words, sentences and paragraphs.
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas by speaking so that others will understand.

  Written English comprehension:

  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Communicate information and ideas in writing so that others will understand.

  American Sign Language:

  • Knowledge of the structure and content of American Sign Language including the meaning of lexical and phrasal items, rules of grammar, and articulation.
  • The ability to watch and understand information and ideas presented through signs, gestures, classifiers, and finger spelling.
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas through signs, gestures, classifiers, and fingerspelling so that others will understand.

  Culture:

  • ASL-English interpreters must have an in-depth understanding of the cultural norms and mores of the American English-speaking and the American D/deaf communities. 

   Essential Professional Attributes 

  The essential professional attributes of a nonintermediary, nondeaf interpreter are:

  • Social perceptiveness: the ability to be aware of and sensitive to others' reactions, and the ability to understand why others react as they do.
  • Independence: the ability to develop independent approaches to doing things and to work with little or no supervision.
  • Interpersonal relationships: the ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and to maintain them over time.
  • Adaptability and flexibility: the ability to adapt to considerable variety in the workplace and be flexible and accepting of positive and negative change.
  • Emotional well-being: the ability to exercise emotional control and stability in order to fully use intellectual abilities and good judgment.
  • Self-control: the ability to maintain composure, keep emotions in check, control anger, and avoid aggressive behavior, even in difficult situations.
  • Professional decorum: the ability to show respect and act in a professional manner during all interactions.
  • Problem solving: the ability to make complex decisions, including the ability to identify problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work: the ability to develop specific goals and plans, and to prioritize, organize, and accomplish goals.
  • Conflict resolution: the ability to identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
  • Time management: the ability to manage time well and to respect the time of others.
  • Ethical standards: the ability to follow the Code of Professional Conduct as set forth by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

  Sources

  Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. (2005). RID code of professional conduct. https://rid.org/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct/

  Texas Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters. (2020). Essential abilities and attributes of nonintermediary or nondeaf interpreters. Texas Health and Human Services. https://hhs.texas.gov/laws-regulations/handbooks/bei/chapter-1-bei-general-interpreter-certification-policies-procedures/1-3-1-essential-abilities-attributes-nonintermediary-or-nondeaf-interpreters 

Apply to the ASLEI Program