by our College Data Analytics TeamSign Language Interpretation & Translation was the 401st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,764 degrees in this year alone. This 67 less than the prior year, a decrease of 3.8%.
Our 2023 Best Sign Language Interpretation & Translation Schools ranking analyzes 19 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for sign language interpretation and translation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sign language interpretation and translation programs later in this article.
When studying Sign Language Interpretation and Translation, you’ll learn that giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
sign language interpretation and translation degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific sign language interpretation and translation careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in sign language interpretation and translation to something that takes less time like a . Different sign language interpretation and translation degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to sign language interpretation and translation, with approximately 52.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to sign language interpretation and translation tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 52.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 25.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.4% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 8.9% |
| High School Diploma | 1.1% |
About 86.5% of workers in careers related to sign language interpretation and translation obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in sign language interpretation and translation have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which sign language interpretation and translation career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your sign language interpretation and translation degree? Sign Language Interpretation & Translation careers are expected to grow 17.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sign language interpretation and translation.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | 80,300 | 17.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for sign language interpretation and translation graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for sign language interpretation and translation graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers sign language interpretation and translation grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 231 different sign language interpretation and translation degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased sign language interpretation and translation school rankings to help you with this.
Sign Language Interpretation & Translation is one of 3 different types of American Sign Language programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American Sign Language (ASL) | 935 |
| Linguistics of ASL & Other Sign Languages | 19 |
| Other American Sign Language | 6 |
View All Sign Language Interpretation and Translation Related Majors >
Image Credit: By PsiДҐedelisto under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
