Undergraduate

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting

Bachelor's, Minor

Ready to take the next step?

As the first Interpreter Education Program (IEP) in the state, and the only private institution in North Carolina with an IEP, GWU has a long-standing Interpreter Education Program that prioritizes ASL language acquisition and education in the target language. This program comprises of an ASL concentration with the specialization in interpreting from an Interpreting minor, consisting of 18 hours of interpreting classes together with 48 hours of an ASL concentration.

ASL interpreters play a crucial role in schools, medical facilities, courtrooms, and even virtual spaces, ensuring equal access to information and opportunities. With ASL’s influence reaching across the globe, studying ASL interpreting education at Gardner-Webb University is the vibrant start to a meaningful career that bridges communities and empowers communication.

CURRICULUM

What You’ll Learn

When you choose to study ASL Interpreting at Gardner-Webb University, you’ll gain the language fluency and specialized skills to put the key to a rewarding career in your hands. you’ll develop a strong foundation in interpreting theory, language processing, human relations, technical ASL/English translation and interpreting skills, and professional ethics. You can earn your Bachelor of Arts degree in ASL, with a minor in ASL interpreting. This program prepares you to take the National Interpreter Certification exam and meets North Carolina’s licensure requirements, with the flexibility to adapt to other states. Whether you want to become an educational, medical, telecommunications or legal interpreter, this program equips you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to empower others with ethical and culturally competent communication access.

Ready to take the next step?

Contact Info

Robert Moore

Interim ASL director , Instructor in American Sign Language

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

[email protected]

(704) 406-4472 ; 704-313-0456

Campus Box: 7266

111 Lindsay Hall

Program hours

Years (avg.)

Class Type

Face-to-face

Total Credit Hours

120 hours required

Transfer Credits

Transfer in up to 60 semester hours

Accreditation

Gardner-Webb University is accredited by SACSCOC and CHEA

Available Programs

Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: ASL with Interpreting Minor Degree Program

In the American Sign Language concentration within the World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures degree program, students complete 48 semester hours focused on ASL—including two three-credit internships—and 18 semester hours in the Interpreting minor.

The program requires courses in four tiers:

Foundation courses (9 hours)
Language, literature, and culture courses above the 100-level taught in the target language (21 hours)
Comparative courses (9 hours)
Senior Capstone (3 hours)

Interpreting required courses include:

English Processing for Interpreters (SLIN 220)
Fundamentals and Theories of Interpreting (SLIN 303)
Interpreting: English to ASL (SLIN 320)
Interpreting: ASL to English (SLIN 321)
Interpreting for Special Populations (SLIN 403) or Principles of Educational Interpreting (SLIN 404)
Signs in Application (SLIN 404)

For a more in-depth look at minor requirements, visit our Academic Catalog.

Additional opportunities

Preparing for the Future

Gardner-Webb University’s comprehensive ASL Interpreting degree program is designed to cultivate and prepare skilled interpreters and transliterators who can professionally facilitate communication. By focusing on cultural competency and ethical decision-making, our graduates can apply advanced interpreting techniques in a variety of settings, for communication access for members of the Deaf community, including DeafBlind and other diverse individuals.

Internships & Research Projects

American Sign Language students take two three-credit internships. During the fall semester before graduation, students complete a capstone (senior seminar) class, which includes a research paper and presentation. In the spring semester, they present their essay at a conference.

National Interpreter Certification Exam

After graduating from GWU’s ASL interpreter education program, you’ll be prepared to take the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) exam and qualify for interpreting roles across the country.

Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment

Senior students are prepared for and take the EIPA as part of the ASL Interpreting program. A score of a 3.5 or higher will qualify you for provisionally licensure as a community interpreter in North Carolina and many other states, or qualify to work as a professional educational interpreter in North and South Carolina and most other states.

I graduated with a strong foundation and practice in Deaf culture and linguistics, and an understanding of the profession and how to conduct myself as an ethical professional.

Stacey Ferguson, ‘04

Growing up using Pidgin Signed English (PSE), I didn’t fully understand the concept of American Sign Language (ASL) as a distinct language. Taking ASL courses at GWU helped me understand the differences between various signing systems and languages in ways I had never imagined. Beyond language, the program opened my eyes to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) cultural norms that I hadn’t been aware of.

Kyle Kiser, ’06

Related Programs

Undergraduate

World Languages with Concentrations in American Sign Language, French, German Studies, and Spanish

Bachelor's, Minor

Why Choose ASL with a Minor in Interpreting At Gardner-Webb?

Gardner-Webb is the only private university in North Carolina with an Interpreter Education Program (IEP), giving ASL students a unique opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive, hands-on environment. Pairing ASL with a minor in Interpreting prepares you for a purpose-driven career in accessibility and communication.

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Universities in the U.S. that offers an American Sign Language Program.

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University in N.C. to offer an Interpreter Education Program since 1995.

Private institution in N.C. that offers an Interpreter Education Program.

Related Clubs & Organizations

World Languages, Literature and Culture

American Sign Language Club (ASL)

Performance, World Languages, Literature and Culture

Joyful Hands Ministry Team

outcomes

What You’ll Do After Graduation

ASL interpreters are in high demand nationwide, with career opportunities in schools, healthcare, social services, government agencies, and legal settings. Whether you work for an agency, a specific institution, or as an independent contractor, you’ll play a crucial role in bridging communication gaps and making a lasting difference in people’s lives.

You may pursue professions such as:

Freelance or Agency Interpreter
Video Relay Service Interpreter
Educational Interpreter
Interpreter in Health Care
Government Interpreter
Legal Interpreter

Transliterator
Performing Arts Interpreter
Interpreter for Special Populations
Mental Health Interpreter
Translator

Language Facilitator
Deaf School Employment
Special Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Audiology
Speech-Therapy

Social Services
Graduate School
Education/ Teacher
Communications
Human Resources
Advertising
Administration

Admissions & Aid

We’re here to help! Once you’ve found the program that’s right for you, learn how to apply and become one of the approximately 96% of our students who receive financial aid.

Department of World Languages, Literature, and Cultures

(704) 406-3223

World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Degree: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting

CURRICULUM

What You’ll Learn

Contact Info

Class Type

Total Credit Hours

Transfer Credits

Accreditation

Available Programs

Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: ASL with Interpreting Minor Degree Program

Additional opportunities

Preparing for the Future

Internships & Research Projects

National Interpreter Certification Exam​​

Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment

Related Programs

World Languages with Concentrations in American Sign Language, French, German Studies, and Spanish

Why Choose ASL with a Minor in Interpreting At Gardner-Webb?

Universities in the U.S. that offers an American Sign Language Program.

University in N.C. to offer an Interpreter Education Program since 1995.

Private institution in N.C. that offers an Interpreter Education Program.

Related Clubs & Organizations

American Sign Language Club (ASL)

Joyful Hands Ministry Team

outcomes

What You’ll Do After Graduation

Recent News & Student Stories

Gardner-Webb’s American Sign Language Program First in North Carolina

‘Mission in Action’: Gardner-Webb Human Services Students use Skills to Propose Nonprofit Ideas

Joyful Hands Ministry Team from Gardner-Webb Presents American Sign Language (ASL) Worship Night on Nov. 9 at Crestview Baptist Church

Admissions & Aid

Department of World Languages, Literature, and Cultures

Meet Our Faculty

Jessica Grant

Dr. Tamara Cox

Russ Gribble

Deborah Hill

Dr. Bernhard Martin

Robert Moore

Dr. Charles Moore

Dr. Teresa Phillips

National Interpreter Certification Exam