Practicum Information
Bachelor of Science in ASL/English Interpreting Practicum
Learning to interpret requires student interpreters to develop frameworks of understanding, knowledge, skills, and dispositions to use in making interpreting decisions. Field experiences provide the link between theory and practice to facilitate the acquisition of those critical frameworks. The practicum placement process is student led and oriented, requiring students to find their own placements that meet program requirements. Students are encouraged to review the process and follow it precisely. Currently, there are many approved practicum sites with which we have active and current affiliation agreements. Students are encouraged to review this list and consider one of the current, approved sites as it will be much quicker. Students are responsible for securing their own practicum placements.
The internship is organized according to the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) Standards (2019)) by which the interpreting program is accredited. Each intern will develop a portfolio that reflects mastery of the standards. In addition, each intern will develop a Professional Development Plan. This diagnostic goal plan assists interns in identifying areas that need improvement or growth and specifies activities to accomplish this growth.
The Interpreter Education Program practicum is based on the following guiding principles:
- We value alliance with the Deaf and DeafBlind communities and respect the cultural norms inherent to these populations.
- We emphasize a spirit of respectful collaboration, partnership, and collegiality.
- We encourage a combination of professional skills development and dispositional growth in emerging interpreters.
- We promote personal responsibility and ownership for self-development and self-assessment.
- We foster an open-minded approach to diversity of all kinds.
Practicum occurs during the Spring semester of your Senior year. The process for placement begins in the Spring of your Junior year with the submission of a Notice of Intent outlining your preliminary plans. Applications for Practicum are due each September for the following term. The practicum handbook guides all parties (e.g., placement institution representatives, Supervising Interpreters, Practicum Instructors, and Interns) in the planning, implementing and assessing of the practicum.
Approved Practicum Sites
The following sites have hosted practicum students in the past and have a current, approved affiliation agreement on file. Students may reach out to these sites to make initial inquiry as to whether or not they are able/willing to host a practicum student. Using one of these organizations helps to expedite the process in that a new agreement, which could take several weeks to months to complete, is not necessary. Your initial contact should simply be to inquire as to whether or not they would accept interns and if they would be willing to do so.
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Agencies/Organizations
ASL Services, Inc.
AQI Services
Center for Independent Living, Jacksonville
CHIPS - Citrus Hearing Impaired Program Services
CIRRUS
Deaf Community Services
Hands Up Communication (Iowa)
Helen Keller National Center
Interpretek
JA Interpreting Services
Sign Language Interpreters, LLC
Silent Hope
SLS Interpreting Services, Inc.
The S&J Arthur, Inc. Agency (Sheri Arthur)
Transperfect
Visual Communication Interpreting
Vocational Rehabilitation of Florida (Each student needs a separate affiliation agreement)
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Schools
Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind
Alachua County Public Schools
Baker County Public Schools
Bradford County Public Schools
Brevard County Public Schools
Broward County Public Schools
Clay County Public Schools
Columbia County Public Schools
Desoto County Public Schools
Duval County Public Schools
Escambia County Public Schools
Flagler County Public Schools
Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Jefferson County Schools (Birmingham, AL)
The Learning Center (Framingham, MA)
Lee County Public Schools
Leon County Public Schools
Nassau County Public Schools
Palm Beach County Public Schools
Putnam County Public Schools
St. Johns County Public Schools
Texas School for the Deaf (Austin, TX)
Union County Public Schools
Volusia County Public Schools
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Universities
University of Arkansas (Little Rock)
Austin Community College
Miami-Dade College (Kendall Campus)
University of North Florida