Special Education Program

Educational Interpreting

The College of Education introduces an area of emphasis under the Deaf Studies Concentration in the Special Education, Rehabilitation and School Psychology Department:

Undergraduate studies in Educational Interpreting for deaf and hard of hearing children in educational settings

Currently a shortage of interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing individuals exists in Arizona and the United States. The shortage affects elementary and secondary schools most severely. The Educational Interpreting emphasis at the University of Arizona is designed to address this problem.

Students in Educational Interpreting receive education and experience to become interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing children in educational settings. Students are required to become fluent in American Sign Language, gain a cultural appreciation and respect of deaf culture, utilize current theories/models of interpreting and gain practical experience through school-based internships.

Students will receive a bachelor's degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation (SERP) upon successful completion of the program. Educational Interpreting is an area of emphasis within the Deaf Studies concentration.

Educational Interpreting graduates will work with deaf and hard of hearing children in educational settings, providing cross cultural mediation and language facilitation in classrooms.

Stipends are available to full-time students attaining upper division status (56 credit hours). Some tuition waivers are available for part-time students. Qualified applicants may request an application from Dr. Cindy Volk. Before choosing the education interpreting emphasis, students must complete an interview for ASL proficiency with a faculty member from the program

Educational Interpreting Courses

SERP 453 - Models of Interpretation & Transliteration
This course will focus on interpretation and transliteration processes from English to ASL or English-based sign systems. Prerequisite: American Sign Language IV

SERP 456 - Interpretation/Transliteration: Math & Science
This course will focus on interpretation and transliteration processes from English to ASL or English-based sign systems. Prerequisite: SERP 453

SERP 457 - Interpretation/Transliteration: Language Arts/English & Social Science
This course will focus on interpretation and transliteration as applied to language arts and social science texts. Prerequisite: SERP 453

SERP 458 - An Introduction to Discourse Analysis for Interpreters
This course will involve an in-depth study of English and ASL interlingual skills for interpreters. Prerequisite: American Sign Language IV

SERP 475 - Practicum I
Students are placed in an actual K-12 classroom to observe a professional educational interpreter. Prerequisite: American Sign Language IV

SERP 475 - Practicum II
Students are placed in an actual K-12 classroom with a partner for "mock interpreting." Prerequisite: Practicum I

SERP 475 - Practicum III
Students team interpret with a professional educational interpreter. Prerequisite: Practicum II

Special Education, Rehabilitation and School Psychology

SERP 414
Intro to Disability Studies & Services (Fall)

SERP 416
Perspectives & Narratives of Disabilities (Spring)

SERP 481
Interviewing & Client Services (Fall)

SERP 430
Ed & Rehab: Deaf & Hard of Hearing (Fall)

EDP 301
Child Development

Deaf Studies Courses

SERP 370a
American Sign Language I
SERP 370b
American Sign Language II
SERP 431a
American Sign Language III
SERP 431b
American Sign Language IV
SERP 444a
Intensive American Sign Language (Summer Session I only, 6 units)
*SERP 433a
Introduction to the Structure of American Sign Language
*SERP 433b
Language and Culture of Deaf Communities
*SERP 433c
History of the Deaf Community
*SERP 444d
American Sign Language Literature & Film
SERP 496a
Ethical Issues for Sign Language Interpreters

*(SERP 433a-d are offered once every two years These courses do not need to be taken in sequence.)

For more information contact