ASL Interpreting - BS
St. Catherine University offers students a nationally accredited education in ASL-English interpretation. This interpreting program is student-centered and equity driven. The small class settings guarantee that students benefit from personal interactions and experiential learning opportunities crucial for skill enhancement. With this ASL-English Interpretation degree, students will be equipped with the necessary skills and practical experience to evolve into proficient ASL-English interpreters and emerge as agents of change in the field. As an interpreter, students will need excellent analytical skills, ethical decision-making skills and communication skills, as well as in-depth cultural and linguistic knowledge. A strong liberal arts background is also crucial in order for students to develop the knowledge and competencies they will need to work in the interpreting field.
The interpreting major helps students develop a specialized ability to support communication access for the Deaf community, with the goal of passing the national interpreting certification exam. As an interpreting major, students will be constantly striving to increase their language proficiency and range, both in ASL and English. With all ASL prefix courses taught exclusively in ASL, this immerses students in the language and promotes a full understanding of Deaf culture without reliance on spoken English. Majors are also encouraged to pursue a minor in language studies and/or participate in a study abroad program to further their knowledge of language and culture.
The drive towards greater inclusion and accessibility for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing population has increased the demand for professional interpreters embodying a commitment to equity. Upon obtaining a degree in ASL-English interpreting, graduates may explore multifaceted career opportunities across diverse settings. Given the evolving landscape of communication, there is a growing need for interpreters to possess exceptional technological competencies. Recognizing this demand, St. Catherine's University provides video laboratories to simulate real-life digital interpreting scenarios, enabling students to acquaint themselves with the nuances of online interpreting work. Interpreters find themselves instrumental in a vast array of contexts including but not limited to professional meetings, prenatal classes, medical consultations, parent-teacher conferences, counseling sessions, job interviews, cultural events such as concerts and theater, and civic activities like city council meetings.
During their academic journey at St. Catherine University, students are presented with a multitude of avenues to apply and augment their knowledge, both within the campus and in the wider community. On-campus, the ASL Club serves as a dynamic platform where students can participate in diverse cultural and social events, such as ASL poetry recitations or theatrical enactments. For those seeking an immersive language experience, the ASL Living and Learning Community (LLC) presents an intriguing option. As a residential floor dedicated to fostering an environment conducive to the consistent use of ASL, the LLC is an ideal setting for those deeply interested in the language and its associated culture. Moreover, the Assistantship Mentoring Program provides students with the chance to engage in research, program management, and teaching roles, thereby enhancing their practical skills and academic understanding. Off-campus, students can explore a plethora of community service and volunteering opportunities at local Deaf schools, governmental bodies, theatrical venues, community organizations, and political entities. Nationally, students have gained rich insights by volunteering at conferences, while on an international level, they have contributed to volunteer initiatives in countries such as Kenya and Jamaica. These experiences expand their global perspective, fostering an understanding of ASL and Deaf culture in diverse social and cultural contexts, further highlighting the intersectionality of Deaf identities and the importance of social justice advocacy within these communities.
In their senior year, students will complete a community-based internship, which may take place in a variety of settings, including education, healthcare, government, non-profit, rehabilitation or human services. ASL-English interpreting students help determine their placement and have completed their internships in agencies across Minnesota as well as in Iowa, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Florida, Washington state and Washington D.C.
St. Catherine University stands at the forefront of interpreter education, boasting a legacy of grant sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration to augment interpreter education since 1999. If students harbor an interest in a field that encompasses language exploration, cultural studies, ethical judgment, critical thought processes, and communication skills, they might find the realm of interpreting to be a perfect match!
The ability to communicate in ASL and English is critical to both professional responsibilities and personal relationships, therefore:
A minimum grade of B- (2.667) is required for all prerequisite courses to be considered for admission into the major.
A minimum grade of B- (2.667) is required for an ASL or INTP course to be counted toward the major.
If a student does not receive a minimum grade of B- (2.667), credit toward the major may be gained only by repeating the course and not by proficiency exam. Courses may be repeated once.
In addition to minimum grade standards, students will undergo an assessment of their language at the end of Intermediate ASL 2 and will do an interview to assess cultural competencies in order to pursue the ASL/English Interpreting Degree as per CCIE accreditation standards. Should students fall short of the assessment benchmarks, students will be offered an improvement plan.
See also: American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf* Communities
This major is offered in the College for Women only.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASL 2010 | Multicultural Deaf Lives | 4 |
| ASL 2200 | Applied ASL Skills | 4 |
| INTP 2020 | Working with Interpreters | 2 |
| INTP 3050 | American Sign Language and English Text Analysis | 4 |
| INTP 3060 | American Sign Language/English Translation | 4 |
| INTP 3210 | Ethics and Decision-Making | 4 |
| INTP 4050 | ASL/English Interpreting I | 4 |
| INTP 4060 | ASL/English Interpreting II | 4 |
| INTP 4200W | Work Readiness | 4 |
| INTP 4510 | Specializations in Interpreting | 4 |
| INTP 4608 | Internship | 8 |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite Courses | ||
| ASL 1110 & ASL 1120 | Beginning American Sign Language I and Beginning American Sign Language II | 8 |
| ASL 2110 & ASL 2120 | Intermediate American Sign Language I and Intermediate American Sign Language II | 8 |
| ASL 3110 & ASL 3120 | Advanced American Sign Language I and Advanced American Sign Language II | 8 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Supporting Course Work 1 | ||
| COMM 1030 | Speaking to Lead and Influence | 4 |
| Select any creative arts course | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
- 1
Second-degree Interpreting students do not need to complete the required supporting courses.
Interpreting majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing INTP 4200W Work Readiness. They complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000W The Reflective Woman, CORE 3990W Global Search for Justice, and any other writing-intensive course in another department).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | ||
| ASL 1110 | Beginning American Sign Language I | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ASL 1120 | Beginning American Sign Language II | 4 |
| COMM 1030 | Speaking to Lead and Influence | 4 |
| Fall Term | ||
| ASL 2010 | Multicultural Deaf Lives | 4 |
| ASL 2110 | Intermediate American Sign Language I | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ASL 2120 | Intermediate American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL 2200 | Applied ASL Skills | 4 |
| INTP 2020 | Working with Interpreters | 2 |
| Fall Term | ||
| ASL 3110 | Advanced American Sign Language I | 4 |
| INTP 3050 | American Sign Language and English Text Analysis | 4 |
| INTP 3210 | Ethics and Decision-Making | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ASL 3120 | Advanced American Sign Language II | 4 |
| INTP 3060 | American Sign Language/English Translation | 4 |
| Fall Term | ||
| INTP 4050 | ASL/English Interpreting I | 4 |
| INTP 4200W | Work Readiness | 4 |
| INTP 4510 | Specializations in Interpreting | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| INTP 4060 | ASL/English Interpreting II | 4 |
| INTP 4608 | Internship | 8 |
| Total Credits | 74 | |