Health Care Interpretation MS

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 with some course work contributed by 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 Professional Seminar course designed to establish the theoretical parameters students are expected to follow in case analysis, to establish a framework for conducting online discussions in safe and confidential ways, and to create connections among classmates that build trust and rapport. This initial connection promotes student engagement in the reflection-based components of the program. It is estimated that each course will require 9-12 hours per week for class assignments and course materials will be delivered asynchronously. In the final semester, students will complete a capstone course consisting of either a research paper or project. 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.  

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.

Electives

• 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.)

The online MS Health Care Interpretation requires 33 credits and costs $906 per credit hour (Academic Year 2021 – 2022). 

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