Degrees type: Bachelor
Main Campus
Interested in learning more about Deaf culture? Want to become fluent in American Sign Language for a job as an interpreter? Do you enjoy being exposed to other cultures and communities? Then studying American Sign Language/English Interpreting at Mount Aloysius might be the right path for you.
The American Sign Language/English Interpreting program at Mount Aloysius College is more than a major. You’ll receive one-on-one, personalized attention from your professors, so any questions you may have get answered in class. The small class sizes and individualized attention allows students to form bonds with their peers and their professors, creating a close, supportive environment to learn and grow.
You will learn how to effectively and seamlessly communicate within two different cultures and languages. In addition to an effective learning environment with small classes, the program offers unique educational opportunities such as:
- Interactive ASL computer labs
- Monthly social gatherings with members of the region’s Deaf community
- Weekly lunches with the Deaf community
- A biennial student-run interpreting conference
- One-on-one interaction with professors
Program Highlights
- Interactive, high-tech ASL computer labs
- Community-based Deaf events for real-world experience
- Nationally recognized and award winning faculty
Minor available
Interpret for a variety of situations and specializations
As a graduate from our ASL/English Interpreter program, you’ll have endless career choices, including:
- Community interpreter
- Conference interpreter
- Health or medical interpreter
- Liaison or escort interpreter
- Legal or judicial interpreter
- American Sign Language interpreter
- Literary translator
- ASLE 102 – American Sign Language 3 Credits
- ASLE 103 – American Sign Language II 3 Credits
- ASLE 108 – Introduction to Interpreting 3 Credits
- ASLE 201 – American Sign Language III 3 Credits
- ASLE 202 – American Sign Language IV 3 Credits
- ASLE 240 – Pre-Interpreting Skills 3 Credits
- ASLE 260 – Translation 3 Credits
- ASLE 300 – American Sign Language V 3 Credits
- ASLE 305 – American Sign Language VI 3 Credits
- ASLE 310 – Linguistics of ASL 3 Credits
- ASLE 340 – Consecutive Interpreting 3 Credits
- ASLE 350 – Simultaneous Interpreting 3 Credits
- ASLE 410 – Practicum Seminar 3 Credits
- ASLE 415 – Transliteration Lab 3 Credits
- ASLE 450 – Residency Internship/Full Time 12 Credits
- LIBA 400 – Capstone Seminar 3 Credits
When students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in ASL/English Interpreting they are prepared to find challenging careers working as interpreters in educational, medical, business, religious, and a variety of other settings.
The demand for Sign Language Interpreters is expected to rise 29% from 2014 to 2024, an increase of 17,500 jobs.
The average median wage for an interpreter in the state of Pennsylvania is $50,870.
Graduates of this program will demonstrate attributes that underlie competent professional interpreting practice:
- Demonstrate language competency in American Sign Language and language proficiency in English;
- Demonstrate cultural competence and multicultural sensitivities of both hearing and deaf cultures;
- Exercise judgment, employ critical thinking, and utilize the knowledge they’ve gained from the code of professional conduct when making professional decisions;
- Analyze the effectiveness of their interpretations by applying contemporary theories of performance assessment, noting areas for improvement;
- Demonstrate critical analysis of current literature related to the discipline of interpreting;
- Produce accurate and reliable interpretations in both English and ASL; and
- Work effectively and collegially with other members involved with the profession of Interpreting.
Watch current ASL students sign the national anthem.
Watch a video with Frank Sankey, a professor in the ASLEI department, introducing the ASL program.
Watch a video about what to expect when visiting Mount Aloysius.
Student Voices & Success Stories
- Michelle Fischetti, Class of 2016, ASL/EI, is an American Sign Language Interpreter at Sign Language Interpreting Professionals.
- Melissa Reeves, Class of 2016, ASL/EI, is an American Sign Language Interpreter at Living Resources New York, self-employed Sign Language Interpreter.
- Julianna Breeze, Class of 2016, ASL/EI, is an American Sign Language Interpreter at Sign Language Specialists of Western PA Inc.
- Chey Garvin, Class of 2016, ASL/EI, is a self-employed Sign Language Interpreter, and a Sign Language Interpreter at Bucks County Intermediate Unit.
- Krista White, Class of 2015, ASL/EI, is a Sign Language Interpreter at Youngstown Community Center for the Deaf/Hearing & Speech Center, and Sign Language Interpreter at Purple Communications.
More Information
The ASL/English Interpreting program is accredited by The Commission of Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE).
The Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education CCIE was founded in 2006 to promote professionalism in the field of sign language interpreter education through the process of accreditation. CCIE was established after nearly two decades of collaborative efforts of six stakeholder organizations, the National Alliance of Black Interpreters, Inc., National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, Conference of Interpreter Trainers, Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada and the American Sign Language Teachers Association. In 2008, CCIE became a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).
Upcoming Admissions Events
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Admissions Office
Main Administration Building
7373 Admiral Peary Highway
Cresson, PA 16630
(814) 886-6383
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