Contact Us
- Jamie McCartney, Ph.D. | jmccar15@kent.edu | 330-672-0708
- Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student
A college minor is a set of courses that a student takes to complement or enhance the value of his or her major. Generally, students who wish to earn a minor have to take five to six courses that pertain to the subject field.
Programs marked with an * can be completed fully online.
Explore these minors at the Kent State Columbiana County Campuses:
The American Sign Language/English Interpreting Licensure Preparation non-degree program prepares students for state licensing eligibility to become educational interpreters for deaf children (K-12), or a community interpreter. Completion of the prescribed coursework is a prerequisite to being recommended by Kent State University for licensure, and licenses are granted by the Ohio Department of Education
This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed for licensure.
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Completers of this non-degree program will be able to:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Prerequisite Requirements | ||
ASL 19201 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (4 cr) | |
ASL 19202 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (4 cr) | |
Licensure Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
ASEI 53092 | DEAF CULTURE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE | 1 |
ASEI 53100 | SURVEY OF THE INTERPRETING PROFESSION (min B- grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53102 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES I (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53103 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES II (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53104 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES III (min B- grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53105 | TRANSLITERATING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53106 | SCHOOL SETTING INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53107 | COMMUNITY SETTING INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53110 | DISCOURSE ANALYSIS FOR INTERPRETERS (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53111 | THE PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53112 | INTERACTIVE INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53113 | ASL TO ENGLISH INTERPRETING PROCESSES (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53114 | SOCIAL MEDIA AND CURRENT EVENTS INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53118 | MEDICAL INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53119 | MENTAL HEALTH INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 53192 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM: ASL ENGLISH INTERPRETING | 9 |
ASEI 59625 | INQUIRY SEMINAR FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE/ENGLISH INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 29201 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 29202 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 39201 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 39202 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 39401 | INFLUENTIAL FIGURES IN THE DEAF WORLD (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 49108 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LINGUISTICS I (min C grade) | 3 |
PSYC 20651 | CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 76 |
Candidates seeking Ohio interpreting licensure from the Ohio Department of Education are required to have passed the entrance assessment and the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (Intermediate level or higher) or the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (minimum 2.0 level). The Sign Language Proficiency Interview must be taken at the Ohio School for the Deaf.
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
3.000 | 2.750 |
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Semester Prerequisite | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
ASL 19201 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (4 cr) | ||
ASL 19202 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (4 cr) | ||
Credit Hours | 0 | ||
Semester One | |||
! | ASEI 53100 | SURVEY OF THE INTERPRETING PROFESSION | 3 |
ASL 29201 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 6 | ||
Semester Two | |||
! | ASEI 53102 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES I | 3 |
! | ASEI 53113 | ASL TO ENGLISH INTERPRETING PROCESSES | 3 |
ASL 29202 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II | 3 | |
! | ASL 39401 | INFLUENTIAL FIGURES IN THE DEAF WORLD | 3 |
PSYC 20651 | CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Three | |||
! | ASEI 53103 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES II | 3 |
! | ASEI 53106 | SCHOOL SETTING INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASEI 53111 | THE PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER | 3 |
! | ASEI 53114 | SOCIAL MEDIA AND CURRENT EVENTS INTERPRETING | 3 |
ASL 39201 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Four | |||
ASEI 53092 | DEAF CULTURE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE | 1 | |
! | ASEI 53105 | TRANSLITERATING | 3 |
! | ASEI 53107 | COMMUNITY SETTING INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASEI 53110 | DISCOURSE ANALYSIS FOR INTERPRETERS | 3 |
! | ASEI 53119 | MENTAL HEALTH INTERPRETING | 3 |
ASL 39202 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Five | |||
! | ASEI 53104 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES III | 3 |
! | ASEI 53112 | INTERACTIVE INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASEI 53118 | MEDICAL INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASL 49108 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LINGUISTICS I | 3 |
Credit Hours | 12 | ||
Semester Six | |||
! | ASEI 53192 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM: ASL ENGLISH INTERPRETING | 9 |
! | ASEI 59625 | INQUIRY SEMINAR FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE/ENGLISH INTERPRETING | 3 |
Credit Hours | 12 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 76 |
The Bachelor of Science degree in American Sign Language/English Interpreting prepares students to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in both educational and community settings, including schools and universities, businesses, medical and mental health agencies and social service offices, among others.
The coursework and nationally certified instructors guide students in developing interpreting expertise, sign language fluency and professional ethics. Coursework encompasses interpreting process models and their application; analytical approaches to professional and ethical decision-making; and interpreting comparative analyses of English and American Sign Language through the study of linguistics, discourse structures and features, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Students learn self-assessment strategies for lifelong learning and gain roughly 400 clinical or practical hours. They also experience working with interpreter mentors. They also have preparation toward the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).
The American Sign Language/English Interpreting major includes the following optional concentration:
Students who do not choose the optional concentration may apply for licensure from the State of Ohio to interpret from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Students complete 300 practicum hours at an educational placement.
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.
Admission to this major is selective. Freshmen students must have a minimum 2.75 high school GPA— for direct admission into the major. Transfer students must have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA for admission.
Students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of admission for this major will be admitted to the EHHS General non-degree program until which time they have established a 2.750 Kent State GPA. They may then submit a change of program to declare this major.
Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and meet all admission criteria listed above to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.
Graduates of the program will be able to do the following:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
ASEI 43092 | DEAF CULTURE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE (ELR) 1,2 | 1 |
ASEI 43100 | SURVEY OF THE INTERPRETING PROFESSION (min B- grade) | 3 |
ASEI 43102 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES I (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 43103 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES II (min C grade) 1 | 3 |
ASEI 43104 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES III (min B- grade) 1 | 3 |
ASEI 43105 | TRANSLITERATING (min C grade) 1 | 3 |
ASEI 43107 | COMMUNITY SETTING INTERPRETING (min C grade) 1 | 3 |
ASEI 43110 | DISCOURSE ANALYSIS FOR INTERPRETERS (min C grade) 1 | 3 |
ASEI 43111 | THE PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER (min C grade) 1 | 3 |
ASEI 43112 | INTERACTIVE INTERPRETING (min C grade) 1 | 3 |
ASEI 43113 | ASL TO ENGLISH INTERPRETING PROCESSES (WIC) (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 43114 | SOCIAL MEDIA AND CURRENT EVENTS INTERPRETING | 3 |
ASEI 43118 | MEDICAL INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 43119 | MENTAL HEALTH INTERPRETING (min C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 49625 | INQUIRY SEMINAR FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE/ENGLISH INTERPRETING (min C grade) 1 | 3 |
ASL 19201 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (min C grade) | 4 |
ASL 19202 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (min C grade) | 4 |
ASL 29201 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 29202 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 39201 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 39202 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 39401 | INFLUENTIAL FIGURES IN THE DEAF WORLD (min C grade) | 3 |
ASL 49108 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LINGUISTICS I (min C grade) | 3 |
COMM 35852 | INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG) (min C grade) | 3 |
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
PSYC 11762 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 |
PSYC 20651 | CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3 | 3 |
UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 |
Kent Core Composition (minimum C grade) | 6 | |
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning | 3 | |
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) | 9 | |
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) | 3 | |
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) | 6-7 | |
Kent Core Additional | 3 | |
Additional Requirements or Concentration | ||
Choose from the following: | 12 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 121 |
Professional Phase coursework.
For field experiences, residential practicum and advanced practicum that require candidates to be placed within a school or agency setting, the college requires candidates to complete the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks and submit the results to authorized personnel at their assigned school/agency before the beginning of the field experience or the first day of the semester in which the field experience or practicum will take place. Authorized school/agency personnel will determine whether a candidate may participate in fieldwork in that setting. The BCII and FBI background checks are good for one year and are mandatory for licensure application. Electronic fingerprinting is available for BCII and FBI in 221 White Hall and should be completed at least two months prior to field experience residential practicum/advanced practicum. Regional campus students should contact their Regional Campus coordinator to identify fingerprinting availability at each campus. Candidates are responsible for fees incurred for this requirement. For more information on this policy, contact the Director of Clinical Field Experience in 304 White Hall. Visit the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) website at https://education.ohio.gov for more information about background check requirements in Ohio. Contact the Office of Professional Conduct at the ODE for specific information about the results of the background check. Due to the length of time that a student participates in the variety of work experiences within the ASL/English Interpreting program, the student may need to complete a minimum of two background checks. Also, if a student is placed out of state, they may need to get a background check completed in that respective state according to the requirements of that state.
Students who are not pursuing licensure may take an elective in place of PSYC 20651 with special approval only.
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
ASEI 43106 | SCHOOL SETTING INTERPRETING (minimum C grade) | 3 |
ASEI 43192 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM: ASL ENGLISH INTERPRETING (ELR) 1,2 | 9 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Professional Phase coursework
For field experiences, residential practicum, and advanced practicum that require candidates to be placed within a school or agency setting, the college requires candidates to complete the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks and submit the results to authorized personnel at their assigned school/agency before the beginning of the field experience or the first day of the semester in which the field experience or practicum will take place. Authorized school/agency personnel will determine whether a candidate may participate in fieldwork in that setting. The BCII and FBI background checks are good for one year and are mandatory for licensure application. Electronic fingerprinting is available for BCII and FBI in 221 White Hall and should be completed at least two months prior to field experience residential practicum/advanced practicum. Regional campus students should contact their Regional Campus coordinator to identify fingerprinting availability at each campus. Candidates are responsible for fees incurred for this requirement. For more information on this policy, contact the Director of Clinical Field Experience in 304 White Hall. Visit the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) website at https://education.ohio.gov for more information about background check requirements in Ohio. Contact the Office of Professional Conduct at the ODE for specific information about the results of the background check. Due to the length of time that a student participates in the variety of work experiences within the ASL/English Interpreting program, the student may need to complete a minimum of two background checks. Also, if a student is placed out of state, they may need to get a background check completed in that respective state according to the requirements of that state.
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
ASEI 40092 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE/ENGLISH INTERPRETING-COMMUNITY SETTING INTERPRETING (ELR) 1 | 9 |
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) | 3 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Professional Phase coursework
Students who are not able to advance into the professional phase or are not able to pass the entrance assessment will receive a warning and will be required to meet with their faculty and professional advisors to develop a plan of continuation. The plan will include all actions necessary to continue in current program, the opportunity to declare a different program, a timeline of when actions should occur and next steps if actions are not followed. Students who have received a warning the previous term will be reviewed during end-of-term processing to determine their status regarding continuation in the major.
The purpose of the professional phase is to ensure that students in the major have adequate preparation necessary to successfully complete upper-division curriculum, including a senior-level practicum, which provides students with professional training in the field of interpreting.
Students must earn a minimum C grade in all ASL and ASEI courses in order to register for the subsequent ASL course, with the exception of ASEI 43100 and ASEI 43104 in which a minimum B- grade is required.
Students must earn a minimum C grade in ASEI 43102 and ASEI 43103 in order to progress to ASEI 43104. Students must earn a minimum B- grade in ASEI 43104 to progress to the final semester.
Before students are approved for ASEI 43192, they must do the following:
Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for advanced study and professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen or transfer GPA for transfer students.
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
3.000 | 2.750 |
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Semester One | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
! | ASL 19201 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 4 |
UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 | |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Two | |||
! | ASL 19202 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II | 4 |
PSYC 11762 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 | |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Three | |||
Requirement: minimum 3.000 major GPA and 2.750 overall GPA by end of semester | |||
! | ASEI 43100 | SURVEY OF THE INTERPRETING PROFESSION | 3 |
! | ASL 29201 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 3 |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Four | |||
! | ASEI 43102 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES I | 3 |
! | ASEI 43113 | ASL TO ENGLISH INTERPRETING PROCESSES (WIC) | 3 |
! | ASL 29202 | INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II | 3 |
! | ASL 39401 | INFLUENTIAL FIGURES IN THE DEAF WORLD | 3 |
PSYC 20651 | CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 | |
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 18 | ||
Semester Five | |||
! | ASEI 43103 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES II | 3 |
! | ASEI 43106 | SCHOOL SETTING INTERPRETING (or General Elective for concentration students) | 3 |
! | ASEI 43111 | THE PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER | 3 |
! | ASEI 43114 | SOCIAL MEDIA AND CURRENT EVENTS INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASL 39201 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 3 |
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Six | |||
ASEI 43092 | DEAF CULTURE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE (ELR) | 1 | |
! | ASEI 43105 | TRANSLITERATING | 3 |
! | ASEI 43107 | COMMUNITY SETTING INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASEI 43110 | DISCOURSE ANALYSIS FOR INTERPRETERS | 3 |
! | ASEI 43119 | MENTAL HEALTH INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASL 39202 | ADVANCED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II | 3 |
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Seven | |||
! | ASEI 43104 | INTERPRETING PROCESSES III | 3 |
! | ASEI 43112 | INTERACTIVE INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASEI 43118 | MEDICAL INTERPRETING | 3 |
! | ASL 49108 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LINGUISTICS I | 3 |
COMM 35852 | INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Eight | |||
! | ASEI 40092 or ASEI 43192 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE/ENGLISH INTERPRETING-COMMUNITY SETTING INTERPRETING (ELR) or ADVANCED PRACTICUM: ASL ENGLISH INTERPRETING (ELR) | 9 |
! | ASEI 49625 | INQUIRY SEMINAR FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE/ENGLISH INTERPRETING | 3 |
Credit Hours | 12 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 121 |
Students completing this minor will be able to:
The program learning outcomes reflect the university's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, creativity and community outreach and engagement.
Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.
To declare the Communication Studies minor, students must have a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State University GPA. No Kent State University GPA is required if the student is a first-semester freshman or transfer student admitted in good standing.
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Minor Requirements | ||
COMM 15000 | INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) | 3 |
COMM 26000 | CRITICISM OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE (DIVD) (KHUM) | 3 |
or COMM 35852 | INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG) | |
or COMM 35912 | GENDER AND COMMUNICATION (DIVD) | |
or COMM 46605 | COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN (DIVD) | |
Communication Studies (COMM) Upper-Division Electives (30000-40000 level) | 9 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Minimum Minor GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
2.000 | 2.000 |