Linguistics, ASL/English Interpreting Concentration, B.A.

The ASL/English Interpreting Concentration is intended for students who wish to become nationally certified ASL/English interpreters. The goal of this concentration is to provide students with the academic preparation needed for the two-step national credentialing exam offered by the Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation (CASLI). Students are required to pass the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) Knowledge Exam as a prerequisite to entering Practicum, which serves as a Capstone to their concentration. We project that within two years of consistent work experience while working under a “Conditional Interpreter License” from the State of Maine or working within their home states, students should be ready to stand for and pass the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) Interview and Performance Exam.

Our interpreting program is unique in offering a full curriculum that is equally geared to both hearing and Deaf interpreting students at all levels of study. The ASL/English Interpreting Program also provides a variety of in-service training opportunities for working educational interpreters throughout Maine. The program has ongoing efforts to provide training opportunities every year for working educational interpreters throughout the state. Students are strongly encouraged to also take the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Written Test prior to graduation as well as the EIPA Performance Test shortly after graduation.

Finally, our concentration offers an optional three-course series in medical interpreting designed for both advanced students and working medical interpreters, in both signed and spoken languages, with language coaches assigned in each student’s language area. The first two medical interpreting courses involve 72 hours of coursework designed to meet training standards established by the International Medical Interpreter Association (IMIA) and the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC). For advanced students in the program, we offer a hands-on Simulation Lab Peer Professional Training jointly for medical interpreters and medical professionals, i.e., medical students, nursing students, residents and health care professionals.

This interpreter training program has been nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) since 2009.

Program Requirements

Minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the Linguistics, ASL/English Interpreting Concentration major: 53.
Minimum grade requirement for major courses listed below: B or higher in LIN 185.

Required Coursework (41 credits)

LIN 105 - Contrastive Analysis: ASL and English Credits: 3
LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3
LIN 310 - Signs of Language in the Brain Credits: 3
LIN 313 - Syntax Credits: 3
LIN 331 - ASL/English Interpreting Credits: 3
LIN 332 - Consecutive Interpreting and Deaf/Hearing Interpreter Teams Credits: 3
LIN 333 - Interpreting: Source Language ASL Credits: 3
LIN 334 - Interpreting: Source Language English Credits: 3
LIN 410 - Ethical Decision Making in ASL/English Interpreting Credits: 3
LIN 435 - Advanced Interpreting and Practicum I Credits: 6-12
ASL 401 - Advanced American Sign Language I Credits: 4
ASL 402 - Advanced American Sign Language II Credits: 4

Electives (12 credits)

Six credits from the following:

LIN 401 - Foundations of Interpreting I Credits: 1
LIN 402 - Foundations of Interpreting II Credits: 1
LIN 403 - Foundations of Interpreting III Credits: 1
LIN 404 - Foundations of Interpreting IV Credits: 1
LIN 409 - Educational Interpreting Credits: 3
LIN 413 - Supervised Mentoring Credits: 3
LIN 425 - Special Topics in ASL/English Interpreting Credits: 3
LIN 431 - Medical Interpreting I: The Essential Piece Credits: 3
LIN 432 - Medical Interpreting II: Interpreting Medical Terminology and Body Systems Credits: 3
LIN 498 - Thesis Credits: 3

Plus two 3-credit 400-level ASL or LIN courses, including at least one of the following*:

ASL 415 - ASL Literature in ASL Credits: 3
ASL 416 - ASL Linguistics in ASL Credits: 3
ASL 418 - Women & Gender in the Deaf* World Credits: 3

*Notes

Courses that have been used to satisfy another major requirement cannot also be used as an elective.
Excluding courses focused on interpreting and LIN 498 .

Note on Language Component

Students pursuing the English ASL/Interpreting Concentration must have taken four semesters of ASL (ASL 101 -ASL 202 ) or have attained a level of proficiency equivalent to four semesters. These courses (or the equivalent) do not count as credit toward the major but are prerequisites to interpreting courses and upper-level ASL courses.

Note on grade requirement for LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics

Students must receive a grade of B or higher in LIN 185 before enrolling in certain upper-level LIN courses, including LIN 313 - Syntax . LIN 185 may be repeated at most one time. Students for whom American Sign Language is their first language may consult with the department about alternative pathways for satisfying this requirement.

Honors for ASL/English Interpreting Concentration

Linguistics majors who do outstanding work in the major can graduate with honors in linguistics. Requirements for Honors for students majoring in the ASL/English Interpreting Concentration are the following:

Achieve a GPA of at least 3.7 in LIN and ASL courses.
Submit a portfolio of linguistic activities approved by the Department. The portfolio documents linguistic activities outside of required coursework. Examples of such activities include independent study and research internship courses, tutoring, and attendance at linguistics conferences. Students who plan to submit a portfolio should discuss details with their advisor.

Notes on Core Curriculum Requirements

In addition to completing a major, students must satisfy USM’s Core Curriculum requirements and earn a total of at least 120 credits to graduate. The following information outlines core requirements that overlap with the major in Linguistics with a Concentration in ASL/English Interpreting or core courses recommended for students majoring in this concentration.

Quantitative Reasoning: Students must fulfill this requirement with a statistics or MAT course. One requirement for Honors in Linguistics is LIN 490 - Introduction to Language Research . This course has a statistics course (MAT 120 - Introduction to Statistics or PSY 201 - Statistics in Psychology ) as a prerequisite. Therefore, students should take a statistics course to meet this requirement if they are considering pursuing Honors in Linguistics. If not, students can take any MAT course in the Quantitative Reasoning category.

Cultural Interpretation: Each of ASL 101 - Beginning American Sign Language I , ASL 102 - Beginning American Sign Language II , ASL 201 - Intermediate American Sign Language I , and ASL 202 - Intermediate American Sign Language II (as well as other language courses at these levels) fulfills this core requirement.

Socio-Cultural Analysis: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics meets this requirement.

Science Exploration: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics meets this requirement if LIN 186 - Introduction to Linguistics: Lab (the one-credit lab associated with LIN 185 ) is taken as well.

Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3: LIN 410 - Ethical Decision Making in ASL/English Interpreting meets this requirement.

Culture, Power, and Equity: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics meets this requirement.

Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: LIN 410 - Ethical Decision Making in ASL/English Interpreting meets this requirement.

Engaged Learning: ASL 401 - Advanced American Sign Language I , ASL 402 - Advanced American Sign Language II , and LIN 435 - Advanced Interpreting and Practicum I meet this requirement.

Capstone: LIN 435 - Advanced Interpreting and Practicum I is a capstone course.

Several linguistics and language courses that are not required for the major fulfill a core requirement:

International: LIN 112 - The Birth of a Language , FRE 202 - Intermediate French II , GER 202 - Intermediate German II , ITA 202 - Intermediate Italian II , SPA 202 - Intermediate Spanish II

Major Courses that Satisfy Core Requirements

Students are encouraged to explore Core courses that also count towards their major or minor. Courses listed below are part of this major and also satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. Course lists that satisfy each requirement can be found on the Core Curriculum webpage.

Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3:
LIN 317
Quantitative Reasoning:
Creative Expression:
Cultural Interpretation:
ASL 101
,
ASL 102
,
ASL 201
,
ASL 202
Science Exploration:
Socio-cultural Analysis:
LIN 185
Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship:
LIN 410
Culture, Power, and Equity:
LIN 185
International:
Engaged Learning:
ASL 201
,
ASL 202
,
ASL 401
,
ASL 402
Capstone:
ASL 416

USM Core Requirements

Students must complete all Core and degree requirements as part of the Graduation Requirements. For more information, see Academic Policies.

The USM Core Curriculum provides a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal arts education that fulfills general education requirements. It is designed to help students become globally aware, purposeful, and lifelong learners.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.