Health Care Interpretation, MS

The master of science degree program in health care interpretation (MSHCI) 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 program. RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology (CHST) collaborates by offering three courses within tthe MSHCI program. 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/administrative roles in the health care interpreting field.

The program requires the completion of 33 credits with 11 required courses (3 credits each). The program can be completed in one academic year (with two summers) for full-time students, or completed in two academic years (with two summers) for part-time students.

The program begins with a one-week on-campus residency Professional Seminar in the first week of June each year. The remainder of the curriculum employs an online pedagogical approach, including accelerated eight-week courses as its primary delivery system.