The ASL/English Interpreting graduate certificate is designed for students wishing to pursue ASL/English interpreting education and who demonstrate fluency in both ASL and English. The certificate is a rigorous program of study that integrates a strong foundation of ASL and Deaf Studies with intensive interpreting skill development.
It is highly recommended that students complete the Bachelor's in ASL and Deaf Studies first due to the level of proficiency required. Individuals with proficiency beyond ASL VI and who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Courses for this certificate are offered at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, KS.
The Graduate Certificate in ASL/English Interpreting aims to prepare students to sit for the NIC and BEI national certification exams so they are eligible for state credentialing in Kansas and Missouri. Students in Kansas who pass the performance certification exams are eligible to register in Kansas as an interpreter. The website https://kcdhh.ks.gov/communication-services/interpreting-services provides information about Kansas interpreter registration. Students in Missouri who pass the Missouri certification exam are eligible to seek licensure in Missouri as an interpreter. The website https://mcdhh.mo.gov/interpreter-info/ provides information about Missouri interpreter certification and licensing. If you plan to obtain a license or certification in a state other than Kansas or a US territory after completion of your program, it is highly recommended you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency BEFORE beginning the academic program to ensure you can obtain a license or certification in your home state or territory. The website https://rid.org/programs/gap/state-by-state-regulations/ provides resources for licensure and certification boards outside of Kansas. The Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates in ASL/English Interpreting do not guarantee that students will pass the certification exams, but cover the necessary materials to prepare students to sit for the exams.
Admission to Graduate Studies
An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
For more information on admission to a graduate certificate program at KU, see the policy on Admission to Graduate Study. Applications may be submitted at http://graduate.ku.edu/ku-graduate-application.
Students must complete an American Sign Language proficiency exam prior to admissions into the program.
The ASL/English Interpreting Graduate Certificate is a 15 credit hour certificate designed for students who have completed both the bachelor's degree in ASL & Deaf Studies and the undergraduate certificate in Introduction to ASL/English Interpreting.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ASLD 804 | Interpreting: ASL to English | 3 |
| ASLD 805 | Interpreting: English to ASL | 3 |
| ASLD 807 | Ethics and Professionalization for Interpreters | 3 |
| ASLD 809 | Practicum in American Sign Language Interpreting | 3 |
| ASLD 816 | Interpreting: Dynamic Paralinguistic Demands | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced linguistic competence and flexibility in American Sign Language (ASL) and English by effectively communicating in a variety of routine personal and professional situations with native and non-native ASL signers of varied age, race, gender, education, socio-economic status, and ethnicity.
- Perform the functions and responsibilities of a novice professional ASL - English interpreter in solo and teamed practice.
- Apply academic knowledge about the responsibilities, ethics, aptitudes, and professional credentialing of ASL-English interpreters in order to advocate for Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing people's access to qualified interpreting and other accommodations in organizations, institutions, and contexts.
- Apply internalized, objective and de-personalized languages to discuss one's interpreting and translation work and that other colleagues.
- Analyze and apply knowledge of discourse settings and structures for efficient, effective interpreting and translation practice.
- Demonstrate professionalism skills and temperament that demonstrates integrity, self-awareness, and discretion by monitoring and managing personal and professional role conflicts and conflicts of interest.
