A shortage of interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals exists in Arizona and the U.S. The shortage affects elementary and secondary schools most severely. The Educational Interpreting/ASL Interpreting emphasis is designed to address this problem.

Students in Educational Interpreting receive education and experience to become interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in educational settings. Students are required to become fluent in American Sign Language, gain a cultural appreciation and respect of deaf culture, utilize current theories/models of interpreting, and gain practical experience through school-based internships.

Please note this degree was previously called Special Education and Rehabilitation (SERP). 

Funding

Stipends are available to full-time students attaining upper-division status (56 credit hours). Some tuition waivers are available for part-time students.

In 2019, the U.S. Department of Education awarded this program a $1.25 million grant to address the shortage of educational interpreters throughout the country. Thanks to the grant, qualified students who agree to work as educational interpreters in the U.S. public school system will be provided full tuition and stipend money. Contact Holly Nelson for more information about this funding opportunity.

Application requirements 

• 60 credit hours at the start of the program
• Must have completed all composition, math, and 4th semester ASL
• Minimum of two professional letters of recommendation
• Professional Admittance to the Deaf Studies and Educational Interpreting emphasis is required. For questions, please contact the Deaf Studies advisor.

Faculty 

Associate Professor of Practice Holly Nelson
520-621-1267
hnelson@email.arizona.edu

Principal Lecturer Marie Tavormina
520-621-7822
​mariet@email.arizona.edu

Transferring from Pima Community College?

Subject to approval: 
ASL 200 will transfer as SERP 433B
ITP 201 will transfer as SERP elective
ITP 211 will transfer as SERP elective 
ASL 203 will transfer as SERP 433A
ASL 215 will transfer as SERP 433D
ITP 212 will transfer as SERP elective