Health Care Interpretation MS


Health Care Interpretation: Online
Master of science degree
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A degree driven by real-time employer demand
Demand for interpreters is expected to grow 18% over the next ten years, more than three times the rate of the overall job market. Health care is the 2nd highest-demand industry for these jobs.
The health care interpretation job market
53k+
Annual salary potential
18%
Employment growth for interpreters
97%
Graduate outcomes rate
$2.5B
2019 health care industry revenue
Program Highlights
The MS in health care interpretation is designed to meet the demands of nationally certified sign language interpreters desiring a master’s degree specific to working in health care environments. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf's Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education administers the degree program, along with 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.
The program begins with a one-week on-campus Professional Seminar held during the first week of June each year. This course consists of pre-readings, 40 hours of classroom instruction, and assignments to be completed after the on-campus sessions. The course is designed to deliver crucial introductory content and create connections that build trust and rapport among classmates. This initial connection promotes student engagement in the reflection-based components of the program. The Professional Seminar course establishes the theoretical parameters that you are expected to follow in case analysis and establishes a framework for conducting online discussions in safe and confidential ways.
The remaining course work is taken online. The program may be completed on a full- or part-time basis: one academic year (with two summers) for full-time students or two academic years (with two summers) for part-time students.
Curriculum packed with high-demand skills

Health Care Expertise
Earning a specialized master’s degree will unlock leadership roles in this exploding field.

Competitive Edge
Demand is growing for specialized sign language health care interpreters as more deaf and hard-of-hearing professionals enter medical/health care fields.

Employer Demand
It’s in our DNA to deliver career-focused education that will have a direct and immediate impact on your career.

Flexible Degree
Learn valuable skills to advance your career in this degree designed to work around your schedule.
Curriculum
Electives
Admission Requirements
- Enrollment in the MSHCI program is open to students residing in the United States and other countries. Current national ASL/English certification or state licensure is required. Applicants must email a copy of their credentials to the NTID Office of Admissions at ntidadmissions@ntid.rit.edu ,
- Have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university,
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above (or superior endorsement),
- Submit an ASL interpretation sample (audio/video file or text translation will be provided),
- Submit two letters of reference from individuals who have had the opportunity to observe the applicant's interpreting work,
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
- Submit a completed graduate application,
- Submit a personal statement describing the applicant's educational objectives,
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants must submit an audiogram, and
- Provide proof of completion of a course in medical terminology. (This is required after admission to the program is offered. The course must be completed prior to the beginning of the summer session. This $99 self-paced online course is called Language of Medicine.)
Cost
The online MS Health Care Interpretation requires 30 credits and costs $880 per credit hour (Academic Year 2020 – 2021).
Keep in mind that there are many options available that may help you lower your costs including:
- Military tuition benefits
- Support from employers
- Private scholarships
- Financing
- Payment plans
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