Upcoming Courses on Interpreting in Special Education

TO: Special Education Directors
FROM: Special Education Division
DATE: August 20, 2015
SUBJECT: Upcoming Courses on Interpreting in Special Education

Spoken language interpreters: learn more about special education through an upcoming online course offered by the University of Minnesota’s Program on Translation and Interpreting.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has worked with the university to develop two courses on interpreting in special education. The first course in the sequence focuses on understanding disabilities and the special education process. Topics are studied in greater depth than in the workshops MDE provides.

This course will be offered online for the first time from September 21 to December 20, 2015 to enable participation by interpreters working in greater Minnesota. View the course flyer on the MDE website for complete information about the course as well as information about the benefits of professional training for interpreters.

The cost for the course is $600 if taken without credit, but funds are available through the State Personnel Development Grant to provide a limited number of $500 tuition stipends. To receive a stipend, interpreters must submit a letter of recommendation from their school districts. Individuals or the district are responsible for the remaining tuition as well as the cost of books and materials (estimated to be about $75). If students wish to receive U of M academic credit, the cost will be higher.

For further information about the course and the registration process, contact Dr. Scott Homler, director of the Program on Translation and Interpreting at the University of Minnesota, by e-mailing homle003@umn.edu or calling him at 612-626-4898. Elizabeth Watkins can answer general questions about the content of the courses at 651-582-8678 or elizabeth.watkins@state.mn.us.