ASL / English Interpreting FAQs

No, an associate's degree in Interpreting is prerequisite to the Interpreting program. The first two years of interpreting foundations courses are not offered at UNF because it was designed to build on other programs already in existence.

Possibly...this has been done in the past. Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life for details.

The new distance-friendly delivery system that becomes effective in fall 2013 allows students to maintain their work schedules during weekdays. On occasion, it is necessary for a Friday afternoon to be spent traveling to Jacksonville (no more than four times a semester). Full-time employment and full-time student responsibilities can be difficult, but with the proper support network, time management skills, and goal-oriented planning, it is possible, though not encouraged. The UNF Interpreting program does not endorse students working as interpreters until they have achieved the appropriate credentials to do so.

Yes, but this time frame may be extended if students do not attend full-time or must repeat courses in which they did not achieve the critical learning outcomes needed to proceed to the next course. The curriculum is designed to be completed in five semesters (Fall I, Spring I, Summer 1, Fall II, Spring II).

Yes and no…we are not a 100% online program, but we are a distance-friendly program. Students do not have to relocate to Jacksonville if they are willing to attend four weekend classes a semester (Friday evening, all day Saturday, half day Sunday). These weekends are mandatory components of the courses that are heavily based on ASL and interpreting skills. Missing a weekend can result in failing a course, so the commitment to participate in the program requires an obligation to attend onsite classes. There is a five-day, onsite summer institute in conjunction with the summer course, Advanced ASL Proficiency. 

Students who reside in Jacksonville have access to the program’s faculty on a daily basis, group study sessions, one-on-one mentorships, and frequent interaction in the Deaf community. Students who do not reside in Jacksonville have access to faculty via distance technologies and may participate in virtual class sessions on their own time, as most sessions are recorded. If a class includes sessions that require online participation of all students at the same time (called synchronous class sessions), these times will be announced in the course schedule prior to enrollment.

No. One of the purposes of an effective 2 + 2 model is to avoid duplication of course content and materials. During its developmental stages, UNF researched other two-year programs in the state to make sure we built courses above what was being offered in these programs and did not duplicate other programs' courses. We have worked to develop a curriculum that is challenging to graduates of two-year programs.

Yes, this is the primary purpose of creating the B.S. degree. Our goal is to prepare you to pass the NIC Interview and Performance Exam fairly soon after graduation, considering that you have progressed adequately through the QA system during your years in training. The NIC Written Exam must be passed prior to taking the capstone course, Internship.

English is one of the interpreter's working languages. Therefore, the program has a high standard for mastering written and spoken English. Most program courses incorporate analytical writing skills. There are two primary evaluations of written English competency in the forms of an ethnography and literature review.

 Because we are a 2 + 2, we do not have the foundation courses in Interpreting. These must be completed at a two-year institution. Deaf interpreters who have completed an AA degree, are interested in completing a BS degree, and wish to achieve CDI certification, should contact the program and let us determine how to assist you in achieving your goal.

1. An experiential, service-learning environment that strives to re-center Interpreter Education in the Deaf community.
2. An evidence-based curriculum that is developed in accordance with current spoken and signed language research and faculty who are actively engaged in applied interpretation research.
3. A respect for diverse populations and a multicultural appreciation across the curriculum.
4. A task-based approach to language and interpretation learning.
5. An ongoing curricular focus on market needs and demands.
6. Stakeholder involvement in program planning.
7. Web-based and web-enhanced content delivery and flexibility coursework schedules to the greatest extent possible.

Admission questions may be directed to the Graduate School.

Program questions may be addressed to Dr. Sherry Shaw at sherry.shaw@unf.edu.