The Current State of ASL-English Interpreting Education Across the United States

Abstract

To better understand the current state of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter education in the United States, the authors analyzed publicly available website data to document the number and type of active postsecondary interpreter education programs by state. This descriptive study aimed to address a significant gap in the literature by producing an accurate inventory of interpreting programs and concomitant degree or certificate offerings. Inclusion criteria included ASL-English interpreting programs at two- and four-year public and private institutions of higher education in the United States (and territories). Related fields, such as Deaf studies and ASL-only degree and certificate programs, were excluded. This investigation was part of a multiyear study examining American interpreter education. Frequencies were calculated for degree types, and pre-liminary results were reported at the 2022 Conference of Interpreter Trainers biannual conference. The authors identified 126 institutions of higher education that offer a total of 166 degrees. Changes between 2010 and 2022 were also determined. In that time, the number of bachelor's degree programs increased while associate's degree programs decreased-still, the majority of degrees offered at institutes of higher education were at the associate's level.