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Deaf interpreter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a deaf interpreter. Deaf interpreters usually study special education, american sign language, or education. 38% of deaf interpreters hold a associate degree, and 36% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 361 real deaf interpreter resumes to see exactly what deaf interpreter education sections show.
The most common colleges for deaf interpreters are the Vincennes University and the Vincennes University.
There are also many online deaf interpreter courses to help get the education required to be a deaf interpreter.
There are certain deaf interpreter certifications that you should consider. These deaf interpreter certifications include National Interpreter Certification (NIC) and Certified Interpreter.
What education do you need to become a deaf interpreter?
What degree do you need to be a deaf interpreter?
- Associate, 38%
- Bachelor's, 36%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 9%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a deaf interpreter?
- Special Education, 30%
- Education, 8%
- Business, 6%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for deaf interpreters
| Deaf interpreter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Vincennes University | 8.70% |
| St. Louis | 8.70% |
| Gallaudet University | 8.70% |
| Mississippi College | 6.52% |
| Lamar University | 6.52% |
Best majors for deaf interpreters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Special Education | 30.1% |
| 2 | American Sign Language | 9.1% |
| 3 | Education | 7.7% |
| 4 | Business | 5.6% |
| 5 | Communication Disorders Sciences | 4.9% |
Best colleges for deaf interpreters
The best colleges for deaf interpreters are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.
A deaf interpreter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for deaf interpreters. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become deaf interpreters.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
10. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
20 best online courses for deaf interpreters
Advertising disclosure
1. Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher
Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases, there is no allowance made for the education of Deaf children at all. This 4-week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language-rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically,...
2. Teaching Impacts of Technology in K-12 Education
2% That’s the estimate of how many high school students in all of California took a Computer Science class in 2015. And yet, computers and data are everywhere. Just consider a typical 24 hours in your life … how many different computer devices do you use? We all live in multiple digital worlds that are changing rapidly with new apps, devices, and data analyses offering a constant stream of innovations and technology integrations for our lives.\n\nAs it's an integral part of our lives, we’re...
3. ASL First 120 Basic Signs American Sign Language
Learn, practice, review, and master 120 fundamental signs in American Sign Language (ASL)...
4. ASL First 500+ Basic Signs American Sign Language
Learn to sign and understand over five hundred basic vocabulary signs in American Sign Language. ASL dialogues included...
5. Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education
PhET Interactive Simulations ( https://phet.colorado.edu/ ), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers. In this course, we will review strategies for how to use PhET to create sim-based...
6. Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators Capstone
In this capstone project course, you will learn to support your students in successfully completing the Advanced Placement Principles Create Task -- however this task can be useful for any course as a culminating, student-designed final programming project. You will learn to interpret and practice applying to real sample student work the Create Task rubric and have the option to modify it for your own setting. You'll prepare resources to help students through the challenges that come with doing...
7. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...
8. Learn & Master Sign Language
American Sign Language...
9. Online Learning Design for Educators
This specialization is for educators seeking to improve and expand their repertoire of online teaching skills related to the design, development and delivery of effective and engaging online courses and lessons for school age and adult learners.\n\nLearning in the 21st century no longer takes place exclusively between the four walls of a physical classroom. With advances in technology, learners now expect to be offered flexible study modes outside of the traditional face-to-face model. This...
10. Breakthrough BSL
Learn the basics of BSL & hold meaningful conversations with deaf people in everyday situations...
11. American Sign Language Basics
Learn how to talk with your hands. American Sign Language is fun and useful...
12. American Sign Language Level 1
Learn how to communicate using ASL...
13. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
14. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
15. Effective Communication Skills: Be a Better Communicator!
NEW UPGRADED COURSE: Learn proven, effective communication skills, how to question, listen actively & overcome problems...
16. Seth Godin on learning and education
Build the future of community, culture and possibility...
17. Complete Google Classroom Course: Teaching Google Classroom
Mastering the Art of Teaching with Google Classroom - Teaching Online with Google Classroom - Google Certified Educator...
18. Communication Skills - 7 Communication Courses In 1
Master Communication Skills: Learn Persuasion, Negotiation, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence & More!...
19. Complete Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2 Masterclass
Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2 Training - Mastering Google Classroom - G Suite - Teaching Online - Google Drive...
20. The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech...
Top 10 most affordable universities for deaf interpreters
The most affordable schools for deaf interpreters are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for deaf interpreters are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for deaf interpreters.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for deaf interpreters
The hardest universities for deaf interpreters to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for deaf interpreters are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for deaf interpreters based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
8. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
9. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
10. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for deaf interpreters
The easiest schools for deaf interpreters to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, wayland baptist university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a deaf interpreter without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for deaf interpreters.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
5. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
6. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
7. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
Average deaf interpreter salary by education level
| Deaf interpreter education level | Deaf interpreter salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,276 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $41,144 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,025 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $45,766 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025