DIVE IN: Building skills & confidence in Interpreting

Dive In Cohort Application

For Deaf Interpreters

Application Now Closed

Application open from September 20-October 20, 2024.

Scroll down for link to application.  

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.

Application Process

Application Process

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

Complete the Google Form at the bottom of this page and 4 activities in a Canvas course by October 20 at 5:00 pm CDT. The Google Form will provide you with more information on how to access the Canvas course and complete the activities and submit them in Canvas.

If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Smith-Hastings at jsmithhastings@stkate.edu.

Initial Activities

Deaf Interpreter applicants must also submit: 

  • 4 videos recorded in either Canvas, YouTube, or Vimeo:
    • ASL response to a prompt provided,
    • Sight translation of a written English document into ASL,
    • Interpretation of an ASL video for a consumer with specific language needs, and
    • Video reflection about the Interpretation.

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)

Are you a Deaf Interpreter who has completed your 40-hour training and is working toward credentials 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.

This year, we are hosting a Deaf Interpreter cohort led by Trenton Marsh and Naomi Sheneman. This program will at times collaborate with the hearing/Coda interpreters in the other part of the Dive In project and at times work together in a space just for Deaf interpreters.

There is no cost for this program and is available to novice interpreters in any part of the U.S. and 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. 


To be a part of the Dive In cohort, you need to commit to the following:

  • 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 will be able to accept approximately 20 participants in the cohort program. For those who are not accepted, you are encouraged to take part in the offerings for Stepping Stones for Novice Interpreters.

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.

Come on and dive in!  We’re here to support you!

Questions

For questions on the application process, please contact Jenny Smith-Hastings, Dive In Program Specialist at jesmithhastings@stkate.edu.

Application Closed