Educational Interpreter Preparation Program

General FAQs

• Who is EIPP for?

  EIPP is for anyone who desires to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in ASL/English Interpreting with a specialty concentration in educational interpreting, working within K-12 settings. 

• How are the degree programs delivered?

  The undergraduate program is delivered in a blended format with face-to-face meetings at UNF one weekend per month each semester as well as online learning to support specialization as an educational interpreter.  The graduate program is offered entirely online, can be completed in just 5 semesters, and has a reduced out-of-state tuition. 

• When can I begin?

  The graduate program admits each Fall semester, with applications due by August 1.  The undergraduate program also admits each Fall semester with applications due March 31.  You can learn more about each program by selecting "Undergraduate Educational Interpreting Program" or "Graduate Educational Interpreting Program" below.  

• Is there a Service Obligation?

  Yes, in accordance with Federal Service Obligation Regulations, after graduating from the educational interpreting program, you will need to maintain eligible employment (i.e., as an educational interpreter in a K-12 setting) on a full-time basis for at least two years for every academic year for which scholarship assistance was received. 

Participants

• Who Can Participate in the Educational Interpreter Preparation Project?
  EIPP is for anyone who desires to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in ASL/English Interpreting with a specialty concentration in educational interpreting, working within K-12 settings. You could already be working as an educational interpreter in a K-12 setting, or you could be working in a different setting and be interested in K-12 interpreting.

Financial Support

• I understand there is financial support available. What kind of support does the EIPP provide?

  The EIPP is supported by the Special Education Personnel Development Grants (CFDA 84.325K) of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education. The grant will provide funding to a limited number of students towards tuition, stipends for books, resources and some travel expenses. The amount students receive depends upon how many students are enrolled but we anticipate it will cover up 70% of the costs over the two years you would be a scholar here. In addition to travel support, we encourage students to connect with their cohort in order to share lodging and local transportation as this is not available on our end. 

  In accordance with Federal Service Obligation Regulations, after graduating from the educational interpreting program, you will need to maintain eligible employment (i.e., as an educational interpreter in a K-12 setting) on a full-time basis for at least two years for every academic year for which scholarship assistance was received.

• What is the service obligation requirement?

  Since 1999, individuals who receive scholarship assistance from projects funded under the Special Education Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program (e.g., our Educational Interpreter Preparation Project) are required to complete a service obligation, or repay all or part of the cost of such assistance, in accordance with section 662(h) of the Act and the regulations of this part. This is a common requirement for grant scholarships and means that you will need to work in the field you have prepared for (i.e., interpreting in K-12 settings) as a way of paying back the scholarship and stipend support your received.  It’s well worth it if you consider you will have 70% or more of your degree paid for by the federal government.  The service obligation is 2 years of full-time employment for each academic year you receive support.  Assuming you accept scholarship support for both years of the program, you would commit to working full-time as an educational interpreter in a K-12 setting for 4 years. 

Admissions to the Educational Interpreting Programs

• I'm not sure my academic background meets admission requirements, can someone review my transcripts?

  If you have a degree with a major in ASL/English (or Sign Language) interpreting, then that will satisfy the pre-admission requirements. You may send unofficial copies of your transcripts to Dr. Roberson, len.roberson@unf.edu, and he will be happy to review your coursework and let you know if you have the right courses/background to meet our program admission requirements.

• Can I join the program without funding support from the grant?
  Yes, you can. If the budgeted funding for a particular cohort is already taken, you can choose to join the program without the funding support. You may also decline funding support if you'd prefer to fund your own degree and therefore not have the service obligation.

Program and Course Delivery

• How are the Courses in the Programs Delivered?
  Courses in our program are delivered via a hybrid or flipped classroom model. Most readings, lectures, and learning content is housed in an online classroom with assignments/activities due each week. While the online part is asynchronous you will follow a regular weekly schedule throughout the semester. You won't typically have required meetings online, but your faculty may have office hours or other meetings using video conferencing. The once per month on-campus visit is focused on authentic engagement where you will practice interpreting skills (ethics, consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, working with specific areas such as interpreting for DeafBlind persons, Diversity and Inclusion, K-12 work, etc.).

Internship

• I see there is an internship requirement for this program. Can I intern where I currently work?
  Yes, it is possible for you to intern in your current place of employment if your position is as an educational interpreter and you satisfy other internship requirements such as having a certified mentor/supervising interpreter on site or in the district and are able to fulfill the hours required. A decision to allow your current employment to count for your internship is made on an individual basis.