Health Care Interpretation MS

Tuition Fee

Start Date

Medium of studying

Fully Online

Duration

Details

Program Details

Degree

Masters

Major

Audiology | Speech Pathology and Therapy | Translation

Area of study

Humanities | Health

Education type

Fully Online

Timing

Part time

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

Health Care Interpretation Master of Science Degree

Overview

The MS in health care interpretation is specifically designed for nationally certified ASL-English interpreters interested in advancing their education through specialized training in health care interpreting. Demand for interpreters is expected to grow 18% over the next ten years, more than three times the rate of the overall job market, with health care as the second highest-demand industry. This program has been developed as a response to meet this rising demand.

What is an ASL Medical Interpreter?

ASL-English medical interpreters are trained to facilitate communication between Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) and hearing individuals who communicate in English. These interpreters possess fluency in both languages, an understanding of Deaf cultural values and norms, ethical and professional standards, and specialized knowledge of medical terminology, procedures, and health care protocols. ASL-English medical interpreters work in various health care settings, conveying complex medical information to ensure patients receive the care they need and can fully participate in decisions affecting their health.

RIT/NTID’s Master’s in ASL Medical Interpretation: Offered Exclusively Online

The National Technical Institute for the Deaf’s Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education administers the program, with some coursework from RIT’s College of Health Sciences and Technology. This unique program:

Meets the growing demand for specialized sign language health care interpreters as more deaf and hard-of-hearing professionals enter medical/health care fields.
Increases the number of specialized sign language interpreters working in patient health care settings.
Prepares interpreters to work in leadership roles in the health care interpreting field.

Careers

Typical Job Titles

Manager of Interpreter Services
Sign Language Interpreter

Curriculum

Health Care Interpretation (full-time), MS degree, typical course sequence

First Year
- HCIA-610: Interpreting Research Setting (summer) - 3
- HCIA-705: Professional Seminar (summer) - 3
- HCIA-719: Theories of Translation and Interpretation (summer) - 3
- HCIA-715: Human Body Systems/Diseases I* (spring) - 3
- HCIA-720: Health Care Practical Interpreting I* (fall) - 3
- HCIA-730: Human Body Systems/Diseases II† (spring) - 3
- HCIA-740: Health Care Practical Interpreting II† (fall) - 3
- HCIA-760: Research Methods in Interpreting (fall, spring) - 3
Second Year
- HCIA-750: Health Care Interpreting Within a Diverse Deaf Community (summer) - 3
- HCIA-770: Capstone Prof Proj/Rsrch Paper (summer) - 3
- HLTH Elective - 3

Health Care Interpretation (part-time), MS degree, typical course sequence

First Year
- HCIA-705: Professional Seminar (summer) - 3
- HCIA-719: Theories of Translation and Interpretation (summer) - 3
- HCIA-715: Human Body Systems/Diseases I* (spring) - 3
- HCIA-720: Health Care Practical Interpreting I* (fall) - 3
- HCIA-730: Human Body Systems/Diseases II† (spring) - 3
- HCIA-740: Health Care Practical Interpreting II† (fall) - 3
Second Year
- HCIA-610: Interpreting Research Setting (summer) - 3
- HCIA-750: Health Care Interpreting Within a Diverse Deaf Community (summer) - 3
- HCIA-760: Research Methods in Interpreting (fall, spring) - 3
- HCIA-770: Capstone Prof Proj/Rsrch Paper (spring, summer) - 3
- HLTH Elective - 3

Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Health Care Interpretation MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete an online graduate application.
Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Entrance exam requirements: None
Letters of recommendation should come from interpreter colleagues, mentors, or Deaf community members who have had the opportunity to observe the applicant’s interpreting work.
Submit current national ASL/English certification, Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI), or state licensure. Applicants must email a copy of their credentials to the NTID Office of Admissions at admissions@ntid.rit.edu.
Submit an ASL interpretation sample.
Submit an audiogram (applies to Deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants).
Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL: case by case
IELTS: case by case
PTE Academic: case by case

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. Because RIT receives federal support, students in the Health Care Interpretation MS program pay less than RIT's regular tuition rate.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree.

Medical Terminology Course Requirement

Applicants accepted into the program must complete The Language of Medicine, a self-paced online course in medical terminology, before the beginning of the summer term. Acceptance materials will include instructions for accessing the course.

Faculty

Alisha Bronk - Lecturer
Veronika Talbott - Assistant Director
Barry Haywood - Lecturer

All Program Faculty

navbar.mobile_banner.title