American Sign Language (ASL) and English Interpreting

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Students desiring to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in ASL/English Interpreting should familiarize themselves with this document. Questions concerning the procedures should be directed to the student’s advisor or the Program Coordinator of the ASL/English Interpreting Program.

The following are admission, monitoring, and exit procedures and requirements for all students who major in ASL/English Interpreting at Commonwealth University. In setting these requirements, attention was given to all national standards and criteria for interpreter candidates.

Admission, Monitoring, and Exit Procedures

Due to cohort design and structure of the course sequence, the number of transfer students accepted into the American Sign Language/ English Interpreting Program is limited. This program typically can be completed in four years for students who start as freshman. Transferring into this program may extend this length of time.

To apply, students must complete the appropriate requirements for admission (see the Admission, Monitoring, and Exit Procedures packet). Transfer students must complete 20 hours of certified interpreter observation and 20 hours of community service during the first year they are at Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg.

Please contact the program coordinator for details on these requirements. Prior to admission, transfer students must participate in an interview with the faculty.  

If transferring ASL course work from another institution, an ASL placement test is required at no cost to you. This will ensure transfer students have the competency and are placed in the appropriate level of ASL.  

The ASL course number at the institution where credits are being transferred may not be equivalent to the ASL course at Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg. The placement test will determine the transfer student's level of ASL.

Please note that all students must pass an ASL proficiency examination at the completion of ASL IV in order to advance within the program. The American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) is administered through Gallaudet University.  

All students who wish to continue into ASL V or other advanced-level interpreting course work must take the ASLPI and achieve a level 2 out of 5. Failure to pass this performance examination will require remediation, corrective action and/or re-examination. This will delay matriculation and limit access to advanced coursework. 

• American Sign Language (ASL)

The practicum experience for ASL/English Interpreting students provides opportunities to observe and interpret in various settings under direct supervision of a certified interpreter mentor.

This practicum is an integral part of the Bachelor of Science degree program in ASL/English Interpreting at Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg.  The experience provides the student with the opportunity for carrying out professional responsibilities under appropriate supervision, direct observation, and modeling of effective interpretation.

Each practicum experience shall be collaboratively developed and documented by the university supervisor, mentor, and student.  All practicum settings shall be conducted in sites equipped to provide the application of concepts learned through university coursework.  

These experiences should enhance and extend the experiences provided throughout the program.  The practicum provides experiences with varied groups and various service-delivery models reflective of current practices in the profession. 

• To provide the student with professional experiences and competencies under the full-time supervision of certified professionals in a variety of settings.
• To provide experiences for understanding of the practical realities, working conditions, and professional responsibilities of practicing interpreters.
• To provide feedback for the interpreting student through continuous evaluation, skill-based feedback, task modeling, and guidance by cooperating supervisors and mentors.
• To provide opportunities for developing self-direction, professional interests, attitudes, ideas, and techniques of interpreting through self-evaluation.
• To provide experiences for observation and participation in professional activities related to interpreting, such as RID meetings, NAD meetings, interpreting workshops, and social activities where Deaf people are present.
• To provide experiences to the interpreting student in recognition of and fostering of individual and cultural differences found among the clientele they will be serving.
• To provide opportunities for the interpreting student to become aware of the importance of human relations as they apply to Deaf consumers, hearing consumers, and members of the community at large. 

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Interpret in a variety of contexts individually and as a supportive team interpreter in entry-level settings.
2. Assess Deaf and hearing consumers' language/communication preferences and then adjust the interpretation to that consumer's language/communication preferences.
3. Analyze diversity and individual overlapping sectionality (included but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, language, socioeconomic status) in the Deaf community.