2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sign Language Interpreting, BS (SIGNLNG2-BS)

CIP Code: 161603

Program Description

Wright State University’s Bachelor of Science Completion degree in Sign Language Interpreting (SLI) is designed for students who have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree program in American Sign Language interpreting/Interpreting for the Deaf.

Today’s interpreters work with a variety of deaf consumers: those who acquired American Sign Language (ASL) as their first language, those who communicate through a form of visual English, and those who use a contact variety form of English and ASL. Interpreters also work with a variety of hearing consumers: from those who are familiar with American deaf culture and the process of interpreting, to those who are communicating with a deaf person for the first time.

Students in this program will complete 40 semester hours of professional requirements in courses focused on enhancement of interpersonal, personal, language and interpreting skills needed to work in today’s world. Additionally, 20-25 credits of general education courses beyond the associate degree coursework may be needed to fulfill the Wright State Core requirements for a bachelor degree. This number will vary depending on the number of general education courses taken at the associate level. Students can complete the general education requirements by taking extra courses and finishing the OT36 Transfer Module before transferring to Wright State University.

There are currently no licensing requirements for generalist sign language interpreters and transliterators in the State of Ohio. There are Certification requirements for legal interpreters and transliterators and Licensing requirements for educational interpreters. Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state, and we have not determined if this program meets educational requirements outside of Ohio. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state’s licensure or qualification requirements.

Program Admission Requirements

Associate degree in sign language interpreting or the equivalent
Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.35
Application to the program director
Baseline proficiency of American Sign Language as determined by the sign language interpreting faculty

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in the SLI program will learn to:

Clarify linguistic and interpretation theories.
Interpret effectively from voice to sign.
Transliterate effectively from voice to sign.
Effectively interpret from sign to spoken English.
Participate as successful members of service delivery teams.
Employ strong ethical practices and standards of practice in all aspects of their work.
Illustrate the skill and knowledge differences required when working in several specialty areas of interpreting - e.g. educational, medical, mental health, legal, theatrical and performance, etc.
Describe how the world of interpreting and the deaf community are part of an ever-changing tapestry and find ways to keep abreast of changes.
Demonstrate awareness of the importance of continuing on a course of life-long-learning.
Acknowledge the importance of achieving national certification, licensure or quality assurance in the field.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Demonstrate knowledge of linguistics and interpretation theories.
Interpret effectively from voice to sign.
Transliterate effectively from voice to sign.
Effectively interpret from sign to spoken English.
Participate as effective members of service delivery teams.
Employ strong ethical practices and standards of practice in all aspects of their work.
Demonstrate awareness of several specialty areas of interpreting - E.g. educational, medical, mental health, legal, theatrical and performance, etc.
Describe how the world of interpreting and the deaf community are part of an ever-changing tapestry and find ways to keep abreast of the changes.
Demonstrate awareness of the importance of continuing on a course of life-long-learning to hone their skills and develop them accordingly to better serve themselves, their community and their profession.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 7 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Departmental Requirements: 34 Credit Hours

SLI 3000 - Ethics and Laws in Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 3200 - Current Topics in Deafness and Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SLI 3400 - Linguistics of American Sign Language Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 3600 - Advanced Sign to English - Voice Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 4
SLI 3800 - Advanced Interpreting I Credit Hour(s): 4
SLI 4400 - Specialized Interpreting Settings Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SLI 4570 - Interpreting for the Deaf in Medical Settings Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 4600 - Transliteration Credit Hour(s): 4
SLI 4800 - Advanced Interpreting II Credit Hour(s): 4
SLI 4900 - Business Aspects of Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Departmental Elective Requirements: 6 Credit Hours

Choose two courses (6 credit hours) from the following list. Courses are offered on a rotating basis

SLI 4200 - Educational Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 4530 - Deaf-Blind Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 4540 - Interpreting in Mental Health Settings Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 4550 - Interpreting for Theater Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 4560 - Interpreting for the Deaf in Legal Settings Credit Hour(s): 3
SLI 4710 - Topics in Sign Language Interpreting Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

IV. Transfer Credits: 44 Credit Hours

All students must have an Associate degree in Sign Language Interpreting for the Deaf. Those credits will transfer to fulfill these credits.
Sign Language Interpreting (SLI) students will have completed some, or all, of the requirements in the Wright State Core at their previous school. Transfer credits will be approved by the college academic counselor.