Working as a sign language interpreter is a fascinating and rewarding profession. It allows you to use your skills to assist those who are deaf or hard of hearing in communicating effectively and realizing their potential.
Benefits of Earning an ASL Interpreting Degree
Completing an online ASL interpreting degree program can give you the skills necessary to succeed as an interpreter and enjoy a rewarding career.
Strong earning potential
Interpreters work as translators in business, industry, education, healthcare, and government, making a median annual pay of $57,090. Many also have degrees in other areas, such as social work or primary education, giving them a range of skills that make them desirable to hiring managers.
Graduates of an ASL interpreting program may also go on to a career in teaching, either at the high school or post-secondary level. High school teachers earn an average of $65,220 per year, and many states have incentives for new hires as they face teacher shortages.
Working with the Deaf community
Being an ASL interpreter means that you get to interact daily with the Deaf community and make a real difference in people’s lives. Being surrounded by another culture and language can enrich your life and make you a more well-rounded person.
Becoming fluent in a second language
Fluency in a second language is a highly desirable skill set that can boost your value in the job market outside of the interpreter industry. Research also shows that learning another language can have positive effects on cognition, memory, and problem-solving abilities.
How to Become a Certified Deaf Interpreter
According to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), to become a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI), certain qualifications must be met. RID offers several types of certification, including National Interpreter Certification and Certified Deaf Interpreter.
The certification process includes:
- Getting an audiogram or letter from an audiologist
- Earning a bachelor’s degree, which can be any major
- Passing the CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam and CASLI Generalist Performance Exam: CDI
Why You Should Earn Your Degree Online
Earning your degree online offers many advantages, including flexibility, the ability to study from anywhere worldwide, and the potential to earn your degree more quickly.
Flexibility
Perhaps most important is the flexibility that makes it an ideal choice for students who are also working at a full- or part-time job or who have personal or family commitments that make it difficult to spend long days on campus.
Online degrees can be earned from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world where you can access high-speed internet. Many offer asynchronous classes, which means you can take them at times convenient for you rather than attending to a strict schedule of class times.
Cost savings
They may offer savings opportunities since you don’t need to worry about gas or parking fees or pay for on-campus housing. In some cases, you may not need to pay for expensive textbooks since materials will be supplied online.
Faster graduation
Many online programs are offered in accelerated form, meaning motivated students can attend more intense, shorter classes and graduate faster than they would in on-campus programs. As online programs have become more popular, delivery technologies have become easier to use, allowing students to interact with professors and peers and experience as rich a classroom experience as on-campus students.
Remote technology experience
Being proficient in the technology required to earn an ASL interpreting degree online can also help you get a job after graduation. Virtual interpreters must be tech-savvy and confident in using remote videoconferencing equipment and other tools. Attending an online program can help you learn those skills and add to your resume.
Top Online ASL Interpreting Degree Programs
Although most ASL interpreting degree programs are in-person, several feature online components. Here are four of the best.
University of Northern Colorado
University of Northern Colorado’s online bachelor’s degree for ASL and English interpreting is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education. This distinction indicates a robust program of the highest academic standards. The program is 120 credits that can be completed in 11 terms or less, depending on your previous education.
Online courses are held during the fall and spring semesters, while summer sessions feature hybrid courses requiring a four-week campus stay. Years one and two of the program focus on developing your ASL and English skills. If you are already a working interpreter, you may be able to bypass some of this coursework. During years three and four, the focus is on developing interpreting skills.
In addition to interpretation coursework, students take courses in liberal arts to help develop their critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills. These can be waived if you already have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Utah State University
Utah State University’s ASL Interpreting track is an associate-to-bachelor degree program in the Communication Disorders and Deaf Education Department. All courses are entirely online, and there is no in-person requirement for this program.
Students must enter the program having already earned an associate of science, an associate of arts, or an associate of applied science degree in American Sign Language interpreting. At that point, the program will require 40 credit hours, which can be taken either full-time or part-time.
Students earning this degree will be prepared to take the National Interpreting Certification (NIC) through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). This rigorous program requires a 3.0 GPA for admission and graduation.
William Woods University
Located in Fulton, Missouri, William Woods University offers a fully online bachelor of science in interpretation studies in ASL-English degree. The program is designed for working interpreters who hold a valid RID, NIC, or BEI interpreting certificate or have completed an associate’s degree in an interpreting preparation program but are not yet working in the field.
Courses are eight weeks long, offering great flexibility for students. The program is designed and taught by the same professors in William Woods’ on-campus program, ensuring a high academic standard. Graduates will be eligible to sit for National Interpreter Certification.
In addition to the online classes, students complete two field practicums that require them to serve in an approved work situation. Applicants must have an associate’s degree in interpretation or hold current certification or ASLPI score of 2.0 or higher, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.
Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University, part of the University System of Georgia, offers a bachelor of science in education ASL/English interpreting program. Students can take classes on campus or via synchronous online classes. Online courses have a low student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. All students must participate in fieldwork, practicums, and internships.
The program focuses on interpretation in an educational setting, and hands-on activities occur within local public school settings. The total credit hours for the program are 120, meaning you do not need an associate’s degree to apply. Students with no previous experience in ASL are invited to apply as long as they have a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
For students who wish to spend some time in the on-campus program, there is a residential community for ASL students and those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as an active ASL Club.
Frequently Asked Questions About ASL Interpreting Degrees
How long does an ASL interpreting degree take?
A bachelor’s in ASL interpreting generally takes 4 years of full-time study and around 120 credit hours. However, it may be possible for some candidates to complete a bachelor’s degree more quickly if they already have an associate degree or an applicable ASL certification. Some institutions will award partial credits for these. Students can also speed up the process by taking courses during the summer or attending accelerated online programs.
How much does an ASL interpreting degree cost?
The average cost of a bachelor’s degree is $17,709 per year. However, there may be additional costs to consider, such as books and fees or the money spent on upgrading your computer or other tech for video conferencing. Scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study opportunities can help you make an ASL interpreting program more affordable.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.