Admissions

Admission Requirements

All incoming freshmen must meet one of the following requirements:

• Graduate in the top 10% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 18 ACT or 860 SAT
• Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
• Graduate in the top 60% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT

Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including: 

• College-preparatory English (4 units)
• College-preparatory math (3 units)
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units same language)
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional units from above (2 units)

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

All transfer students must have completed the high school course requirements listed above.

All transfer students must meet the GPA requirement of 2.8.

Students applying to the signed language interpreting online cohort must hold an associate degree in sign language interpreting or the equivalent.

All transfer students who have accumulated more than 90 semester credit hours and who meet the transfer requirements must also apply to the professional cohort. (Students apply during the academic year prior to their cohort year.)

 Additional information:

1.       The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services makes every effort to ensure that program profiles are correct and are aligned with current State of Ohio licensure requirements. The Signed Language Interpreting (SLI) strand does not currently lead to an initial teaching license. The State of Ohio reserves the right to change program requirements at any time. Therefore, it is imperative that you remain in contact with your advisor to ensure that you have the most accurate information. To make an appointment to meet with your advisor, call 513-556-2336.

2.      Admission requirements for the cohort include the following:

--   Minimum of two years of American Sign Language courses (6 quarters or 4 semesters)

--   Admission interview by the SLI Interview Committee (invitation issued after application review)

--   Minimum 2.8 GPA from previous coursework

--   Students applying to the Signed Language Interpreting online cohort must hold an associates degree in Signed Language Interpreting or the equivalent.

--   Portfolio requirements for the ONLINE COHORT include:

      A)  A written essay (1500 words or less) addressing the following questions:

                  - Why are you applying to this program?

                  - What are your academic goals?

                  - What are your professional goals as a result of completing this program?

         B) Portfolio of Interpreting practice (DVD format only) and must include one of each:

1.        ASL to English sample

2.        English to ASL sample

3.        Dialogic text sample

C)  Two professional letters of reference:

                  - One from an interpreter or interpreter educator

                  - One from a deaf or hard-of-hearing consumer

 --   Portfolio requirements for the ON CAMPUS cohort include:

         A)  A written essay (1500 words or less) addressing the following questions:

                  - Why are you applying to this program?

                  - What are your academic goals?

                  - What are your professional goals as a result of completing this program?

         B) Portfolio of Interpreting practice (DVD format only) and must include one of each:

1.        ASL to English sample

2.        English to ASL sample

3.        Dialogic text sample

C)  Two professional letters of recommendation:

         (Minimum of one letter from a professional in the field of deafness or interpreting)

 3.      Following are the technology requirements for cohort:

--   Computer meeting one of the operating systems requirements

- Windows 98, 2000, XP

                              Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher

                              Mozilla Firefox 1.5

                              Netscape Navigator 7.1

                              AOL 9

-  Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3, 10.4

          Safari 1.1 or higher

          Mozilla Firefox 1.5

-  Linux           

          Mozilla Firefox 1.5                                                              

-  Solaris

          Mozilla 1.7

--   Web camera [30 frames per second (fps).  Logitech and Creative Labs suggested.]

--   Headset with microphone (USB or Firewire)

--   High-speed internet access (dial-up not accepted)

--   Flash player (free to download 6.0.79 or higher or 7 or higher for Linux and Solaris)

--   Access and use of flip camera or the like (preferably flip camera that includes video share software)

 Aforementioned operating systems are acceptable; Windows can be most readily supported.

 4.      Following are the requirements for continuing in the professional cohort:

--   Maintain cumulative grade point average of 2.8

--   Satisfactory (C or better) completion of clinical practice/field experiences

 5.      Free electives are any college level course chosen outside of the required courses

 6.      A grade of C- is not acceptable in cohort coursework, including all American Signed Language courses. You must repeat the course and earn a C or better to maintain cohort status.

 7.      Requirement to graduate is 120 credit hours (transfer students may me required to take less courses, but must meet program curricular requirements).

 8.      Send application materials to:

            Signed Language Interpreting and Deaf Studies

            College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services

            University of Cincinnati

            PO Box 210022

            Cincinnati, OH  45221-0022

            Attn:  Sign Language Interpreting Cohort Application

Students must be admitted to the professional cohort in order to enroll in the professional cohort courses. During the fourth year, students are required to complete a practicum or field experience series.

Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program requirements, students earn a bachelor's of science degree in special education from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services.

International Admission Requirements

International students should contact the University of Cincinnati's Office of Admission for details. (513) 556-1100

Application Information

Program Code

18BSED-DL-SPED-I

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall semester - February 1; spring semester - November 1; summer semester - March 1.

Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall semester - July 1; spring semester - November 1; summer semester - March 1.

UC operates on a semester system, with 14-week grading periods. Fall semester will begin late August and end mid-December. Spring semester will begin in early January and end in late April; Summer semester will begin in early May and end in early August. While mid-year admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that semester.

Program Details

Program Requirements

Duration

4 years

Program Details

The specialization in signed language interpreting at the University of Cincinnati provides education at the baccalaureate level. At the baccalaureate level, the specialization focuses on educating interpreters to apply evidence-based practices through the use of the demand-control schema and meet licensure requirements for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). Specifically, specialization participants are required to complete course and field experiences to meet the prerequisites for state and national certification.

Advancement in the specialization is a two-step process. The first step is admission to the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services as a special education student. The second step involves admission into the professional cohort. Students will apply to the professional cohort during the sophomore year. For more information about the cohort selection process and criteria, please contact an academic advisor. During the sophomore year, special education students who meet requirements for advancing in the program must attend a mandatory information meeting during fall semester and, submit a completed application for admission to the signed language interpreting professional cohort that begins the following fall semester, junior year. Enrollment is limited; admission is competitive.

Graduation Requirements

 In order to graduate from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements
• Obtain at least a 2.8 university grade point average
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic probation or suspension.
• File formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadlines

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The educator preparation programs at the University of Cincinnati are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition, the special education program is accredited by the Council for Exceptional Children. This program has been determined to meet the Ohio reading mandate and is aligned with the Ohio content area standards.

Student Success Factors

Candidates who succeed in signed language interpreting demonstrate:
 

• a history of academic success
• the ability to collaborate with others, including those from diverse populations
• leadership characteristics
• responsible, caring, fair, honest and ethical behavior
• a commitment to social justice and a diverse society
• a history of good critical thinking and problem solving
• enthusiasm for working with deaf and hard of hearing children and adults

Career Possibilities

In general, graduates of the special education signed language interpreting specialization will work as interpreters in various education and/or community based settings. Some students may work as freelance interpreters while others may seek employment as full or part-time staff interpreters within an agency, organization, or school.

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site.

Curriculum

Core Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use u.select to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See course descriptions by college.

Curriculum Guide Versions:

Minor Details

No minor is available. However, a deaf studies certificate is an option. Please see the special program section listed below.

Special Features

Special Opportunities

Formed as the Teachers College in 1905, the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services continually merits local, state and national recognition. Recent commendations include:
 

• UC is one of 96 institutions across the United States ranked as a level 1 research institution (classification: RU/VH) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
• Accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education;
• The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) was recently ranked 55 in U.S. News & World Report
• The Best Practice Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)

In addition, the signed language interpreting specialization provides small classes, talented faculty (deaf, hard of hearing and hearing) and extensive field and practicum experiences.

Real-World Learning Components

Contact

Suzanne Ehrlich

Email: suzanne.ehrlich@uc.edu
Phone: 513-556-1670

PO Box 210022
47 Corry Blvd
Cincinnati, OH  45221-0022