Responding to an extensive need in the Central Valley for interpreters for the deaf, Fresno State’s Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies developed the first program in California to grant a bachelor’s degree in sign language interpreting, and will graduate its first students in May 2002.
Dr. Paul W. Ogden, professor of communication disorders and deaf studies, designed the curriculum, which requires students to complete 47 units, including six sign language classes, to satisfy the requirements. He said the program, begun in fall 2000, has received a good response.
“So many students did not realize there were jobs in this field,” Ogden said. “They would take sign language classes for fun or to fulfill general education requirements and then find out there is a great demand for interpreters and teachers.”
Bryan Berrett of the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies Department is coordinating the interpreting program. He said that school districts, a variety of nonprofit and social services agencies, the Internal Revenue Service and community colleges employee interpreters to assist deaf and hard of hearing students and clients.
Research and writing assistance provided by Stephanie Rodriguez, University Relations student intern.
