Honours Bachelor of Interpretation Program (American Sign Language - English)

The first and only degree of its kind in Canada. Faculty is comprised of dual-professionals, Deaf interpreters, two nationally certified interpreters (COI) and published authors. Innovative pedagogy encompassing opportunities for work integrated learning through community partnerships and use of research-based curriculum. Team-taught interpreting courses with both Deaf and non-Deaf professors. The Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (American Sign Language – English) program combines classroom theory, research, hands-on practice and professional field experience to prepare graduates to work as qualified interpreters. The Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (American Sign Language – English) (C302) program was developed to address the growing demand for qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. This field is considered a high-demand sector and is currently facing a labour shortage. This degree prepares graduates for work in this dynamic field. An interpreter is a fluent bilingual-bicultural professional who facilitates communication between those who do not share the same language or culture. To be a sign language interpreter requires manual dexterity, critical thinking skills, visual-spatial recognition, excellent short- and long-term memory and superior cognitive processing abilities in order to process information instantaneously at a level of bilingual and bicultural expertise beyond conversational fluency. For non-Deaf interpreters, this will also include auditory-processing capabilities. Over the course of four years, students will continue to improve and hone both their English and American Sign Language proficiencies while studying to become interpreters.

Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma with six grade 12 university (U) or university/college (M) courses, with a combined average of 65 per cent or higher
• grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 65 per cent or higher
• grade 11 Math (M or U) or grade 12 Math U or grade 11 Science (U) or grade 12 Science (M or U)
• supplementary requirements as outlined below – note: qualified applicants who meet the academic requirements listed above will receive a conditional offer based on successfully completing the supplementary requirements.

OR

Mature student status: 19 years or older and no OSSD**

• grade 12 English U with a grade of 65 per cent or higher
• grade 11 Math (M or U) or grade 12 Math U or grade 11 Science U or grade 12 Science (M or U)
• Combined average of English and Math/Science of 65 per cent or higher
• Post-secondary credits in English and Math/Science will also be considered (specific courses only)
• Supplementary requirements as outlined below

** There is no mature student testing in the required credits for degree programs. Mature applicants must have the English, Math and Science credits required. Additional information on where and how to upgrade can be found on the English, Math and Science upgrading pages.