DIVE IN: Building skills & confidence in Interpreting

Dive In Cohort Application

For Coda and Hearing Interpreters

Application Now Closed

Application open from September 20-October 20, 2024.

Need Support with Application

We will host Zoom open houses to provide live support in ASL from 6:00-8:00 pm CT on September 25 and October 2, 9, and 16.) (https://stkate.zoom.us/j/92684522234)

Office hours in multiple time zones: 

  • 4:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
  • 5:00-7:00 pm Mountain Time
  • 6:00-8:00 pm Central Time
  • 7:00-9:00 pm Eastern Time

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for FAQs on the application process.

Are you new to the interpreting field, working toward credentials, striving to be a reflective practitioner and ready to make a commitment to your professional development?  If the answer is yes, here’s an opportunity to “dive in.”

One of the CATIE Center’s latest projects is Dive In: Building Skills and Confidence in Interpreting. The project aims to support novice interpreters who identify a specific goal, such as certification (i.e., CDI, NIC, BEI),  state licensure, or passing an agency screening, and commit to working to achieve that goal. We will have two cohorts:  Deaf Interpreters and Coda/Hearing interpreters.  These cohorts will collaborate at times throughout the program.

The program can be completed through Canvas and Zoom with synchronous and asynchronous activities.

Dive In is designed for novice interpreters. For this program, novice interpreters means someone who has recently graduated from an interpreting program or entered the field via an alternative path, has ASL & English proficiency, and is working toward certification or licensure.

If you do not meet these requirements, the CATIE Center will review requests for consideration on a case by case basis with input from our project officer at the Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration. If you request consideration of your case, you will be able to complete the application and the Dive In team will contact you regarding application status.

Application Process

Application requires that candidates complete an online form providing personal information, educational background, and professional goals. 

Initial Invitation

Written English response to an essay question,

  • 3 videos recorded in Canvas, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
  • ASL response to a prompt provided, 
  • Interpretation of an ASL video into spoken English, 
  • Interpretation of an English video into ASL, and
  • Self-assessment of either interpretation. 

Application materials are due on October 20 at 5:00 pm Central Time.

If you need any assistance, please contact Holly Nelson at hnelson955@stkate.edu.

For Final Acceptance

The CATIE Center will review all applicants who complete the above tasks and send initial invitations to join the Dive In program. Once you are invited, you will need to complete two additional tasks before final acceptance into the program. These two tasks include:

  1. record Pre-Program Interpreting Assessment and
  2. schedule an ASL Assessment (1 hour assessment will take place between November & January).

CATIE Center staff will be available in Zoom on Wednesday evenings on 9/26, 10/2, 10/9 & 10/16 to answer any questions. (4-6 pm PT; 5-7 pm MT; 6-8 pm CT; 7-9 pm ET)

  • Participate in the program from January 8 to August 13, 2025. Estimated time commitments to participate:  
    • 1 hours for pre-program assessment Dec 1-Jan 8; 
    • 10 hours weekly for program activities from Jan 8 to May 28; 
    • 2 hours for weekly Zoom meeting on Wednesdays from 4-6 pm PT; 5-7 pm MT; 6-8 pm CT; 7-9 pm ET 
    • 8 hours each day for immersion experience on March 7-8 & April 4-5; 
    • 40 Practical Application Hours (PAH) completed by August 13; 
    • 20 minutes each for evaluations, due April 30, June 10, and August 31. .  
  • Engage in all program activities, including: 
    • Activities in Canvas and GoReact (assignments, discussions, etc.);  
    • Mentoring and Coaching meetings and correspondence; 
    • Live interpreting practice with supervision; 
    • Development of Individual Development Pathway (IDP) with support from a professional coach;  
    • Self-directed, practical application hours.

Deadline for Application

October 20 at 5:00 pm Central Time

Initial Invitation for Applicants

November 1, 2024

Final Acceptance for Cohort Members

November 11, 2024

Program Information

View the Draft Schedule of the Dive In program here.

For participants completing program requirements, certificates of completion will be distributed by September 15, 2025. 


The CATIE Center anticipates accepting 20 participants in our cohorts. For those who are not accepted, you are encouraged to take part in the offerings for our self-directed track, Stepping Stones for Novice Interpreters.

There are no costs to be a part of the Dive In cohort. All of the required activities and resources will be available online. The program runs from January through August with synchronous meetings on Wednesday nights via Zoom and asynchronous activities online using Canvas and GoReact. We encourage interpreters, Deaf, Coda, and hearing, from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Application Now Closed