M.A. in Interpretation: Combined Interpreting Practice and Research
The concentration in Combined Interpreting Practice and Research is designed to prepare and educate Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing persons in working as interpreters in Deaf and hearing communities. The program provides a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to interpretation instruction. The M.A. in Interpretation program consists of a comprehensive, sequenced, and integrated series of courses and experiences. These courses and experiences are intended to provide students with the necessary mastery of knowledge, techniques, and skills required for entry to professional work in the field of interpretation or advanced graduate study. Close interaction among students, mentors, and faculty is provided in a setting that offers a wide array of academic and interpreting experiences. This includes an interpreting internship, which is developed on an individual basis for each student. This degree includes an overview research course followed by two semesters of guided research courses in which students conduct original research with the goal of producing a small-scale study in publishable form. This concentration follows a two-year format, consisting of four semesters followed by a summer internship. The program requires the completion of 46 credit hours of course work. An accelerated program is also available for students with a Gallaudet B.A. in Interpretation degree, requiring the completion of 33 credit hours of course work. The program also is available in a three-year format for students who need an additional year of advanced language classes. Part-time study is also available.
Admissions Procedures
Applicants for the M.A. in Interpretation must complete the application procedures and meet the requirements for graduate study at Gallaudet University. Visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information and a checklist of application requirements.
| DEADLINE |
DATE |
| First Date for Consideration of Application: |
January 15th |
| Last Date for Completed Application: |
March 15th or until all possible slots are filled. Students are accepted on a rolling basis. |
Program Specific Requirements
- An ASLPI result of 3 or higher (2.5 for international applicants who are fluent in another sign language)
- CV or resume highlighting experience with language mediation, interpretation and/or translation.
- Skills assessment task(s) [provided by the department after initial screening]
- Goals statements in ASL and written English [provided by the department after initial screening]:
- 1) professional goals related to interpreting and/or translation;
- 2) research interests around a topic in interpreting or translation;
- 3) how the applicant plans to contribute to Deaf and/or DeafBlind communities at Gallaudet;
- 4) description of the applicant’s understanding of social justice movements and how they relate to interpreting/translation work.
Graduation Requirements
Internship
Practical classroom-based experiences are incorporated into each semester of the program. These experiences include directed observation in interpreting events on the university campus and in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Internship experience is designed to provide students with the opportunity to synthesize practical and academic experiences gained during the in-residence portion of the M.A. in Interpretation program. Students and the internship coordinator will agree upon a suitable site, supervision, and plan of activity. Internship sites can be in any state in the U.S. and/or in other countries.
Examinations
Qualifying Examination
At the end of the first year (in the two-year format), all students must successfully complete a qualifying examination that consists of an interpreting skills assessment. Students unable to achieve a passing score will be asked either to retake the examination (one time) or to withdraw from the program. Failure on this examination will be grounds for dismissal.
Comprehensive Examination
During the final year of full-time coursework, all students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination assessing conceptual components of the program. The comprehensive examination is offered to students in the the final spring semester of the program.
Plan of study
Semester I (Fall) - 12 credits
| INT701 | History of Interpreting | 3 |
| INT707 | Structure of Language for Interpreters: American Sign Language and English | 3 |
| INT726 | Fundamentals of Interpreting | 3 |
| Elective #1 | 3 |
Semester II (Spring) - 12 credits
| INT720 | Discourse Analysis for Interpreters | 3 |
| INT736 | Professional Practice I | 3 |
| INT750 | Research Methods in Interpretation | 3 |
| Elective #2 | 3 |
Qualifying Exam
Semester III (Fall) - 12 credits
| INT777 | Guided Research Project I | 3 |
| INT781 | Professional Practice II | 3 |
| Elective #3 | 3 |
| Elective #4 | 3 |
Semester IV (Spring) - 9 credits
| INT778 | Guided Research Project II | 3 |
| INT795 | Special Topics | |
| Elective #5 | 3 |
Comprehensive Exam
Semester V (Summer) - optional 1 credit
50 Pro Bono Interpreting Hours
Students will be expected to complete 50 pro bono interpreting hours during their second year in the program. Ideally students will complete 25 hours per semester. They must pass successfully, the qualifying exam in order to begin pro bono interpreting in the community.
Program Outcomes
Demonstrate the sociocultural proficiency necessary to perform effectively in a broad range of translation and interpreting assignments.
Apply critical thinking and knowledge of theories and research in the translation and interpreting field to one's ethical decision-making.
Articulate and apply one’s conceptualization of equivalence in interpreting in terms of both theory and practice.
Integrate social justice concepts and principles in interpreting and translation work with members of various communities in the field. signed language translation and interpretation.
Design and execute a small-scale research project on a topic identified as relevant and timely to the field of signed language translation and interpreting.