Sign language interpreting is a fascinating, challenging and rapidly expanding field that offers an endless variety of opportunities and rich linguistic and cultural experiences.

Sign language interpreters are cross-cultural communicators. They must be fluent in both English and American Sign Language and be able to function effectively in situations with both Deaf and hearing people. They are highly skilled professionals who must be able to listen to another person’s spoken words and intended meaning and communicate in ASL. Interpreters also must be able to understand the signs and intent of a Deaf person and communicate them in spoken English. As a sign language interpreter, it will be very important for you to learn about and understand Deaf culture and promote effective cross cultural communication.

About the ASL-English Interpretation Program

RIT’s bachelor’s degree program provides specialized preparation for you to develop interpreting skills as well as practical experience and coursework. You can enter directly into our bachelor's degree program with no prior ASL skills. The program is designed to provide graduates with a solid foundation on which to develop the skills needed to pass the National Interpreter Certification exam offered through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. RID will require candidates for certification to possess a bachelor's degree by 2012.

RIT’s interpreting students enjoy small class sizes, one-on-one discussions and advisement with knowledgeable faculty. By keeping classes small, our instructors are able to focus on you, building your strengths and developing your skills. Faculty and staff members work with you on all aspects of interpreting. As an interpreting student, you will have the opportunity to work with a professional interpreter in a college, school or in the community during practicum experiences. These practicums gives you real-world experiences as an interpreter. There is no better place to prepare for a career in sign language interpreting than the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Why should you pursue your interpreting degree at RIT?

• More than 1,100 Deaf and hard-of-hearing students live, study and socialize on the RIT campus, providing interpreting students like you with excellent opportunities to interact with students and enhance your sign language and interpreting skills as well as your experience with Deaf culture.
• The faculty of NTID’s Department of the American Sign Language and Interpreting Education are nationally respected interpreter educators. All of our American Sign Language classes are taught by Deaf faculty members who are certified by the American Sign Language Teachers Association, and all of our interpreting instructors are certified as sign language interpreters by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

• Our interpreting and self-instruction labs are state-of-the-art audio/visual facilities with a wealth of interpreting and sign language materials you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
• Because RIT receives special federal support for students in the interpreting program, you pay about one-third of RIT’s regular tuition rate.
• You have access to more than 100 interpreters on campus and more than 300 off campus in the Rochester community.
• Rochester has one of the largest concentrations of Deaf and hard-of-hearing residents in the United States. As an interpreting student at RIT, there are many opportunities for you to interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, including numerous Deaf student clubs and sports, the Rochester Recreation Club for the Deaf, open-captioned movies, Deaf theater and much more. Deaf culture programs are also held throughout the year at various venues in the community.