Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies

Ready to go to the next level? Build a set of translational skills in a field with increasing demand for higher credentialed professionals and academic specialists.

Course Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies is an 18 credit-hour graduate certificate program, or a total of six courses, distributed among two core courses in the history and theory of translation, and the application of computer-assisted translation technologies, followed by two language-specific translation courses in Spanish, French or German, a linguistics course and a final internship or individual project.

Courses are offered on a rotational basis, so you need to make an advising appointment as soon as possible to plan their coursework to assure they are progressing toward completion of the degree. Twelve credit hours of coursework must be completed. Additional coursework in Interpreting is also offered.

Core Courses

Take 2 courses (6 credits).

  • WLAC-F 550: Introduction to Translation Studies (3 cr.)
  • WLAC-F 560: Computer-Assisted Translation and Localization (3 cr.)

Language-specific Courses

Choose 3 courses (9 credits).

  • FREN-F 575: Introduction to French Linguistics or ENG G500 (3 cr.)
  • GER-G 551: The Structure of German (3 cr.) or ENG G500 (3 cr.)
  • SPAN-S 511: Spanish Syntactic Analysis (3 cr.) or SPAN S513 Introduction to Hispanic Sociolinguistics (3 cr.)
  • SPAN-S 528/FREN-F 528/GER-G 528: Comparative Stylistics and Translation (3 cr.)
  • SPAN-S 529/FREN-F 529/GER-G 529: Specialized Translation I: Business/Legal/Governmental (3 cr.)
  • SPAN-S 530/FREN-F 530/GER-G 530: Specialized Translation II: Scientific/Technical/Medical (3 cr.)

Applied Course and Fieldwork

Choose 1 course (3 credits).

  • WLAC-F 693: Internship in Translation (3 cr.)
  • WLAC-F 694: Final Translation Project (3 cr.)
  • WLAC-F 696: Final Interpretation Project (3 cr.)

Additional Courses

  • SPAN-S 502: Introduction to Medical Interpreting
  • SPAN-S 602: Advanced Medical Interpreting
  • SPAN-S 501: Introduction to Legal Interpreting
  • SPAN-S 601: Advanced Legal Interpreting

Admission Requirements

Fall admission only

  • Undergraduate degree requirement: Baccalaureate degree in second language (Spanish, French, German) from an accredited institution; or B. A. degree in English with native proficiency in a second language; or B.A. or B.S. degree related to intended field of translation with native proficiency in a second language.
  • GPA requirement: 3.0 or higher; 3.3 in major.
  • Standardized Test Scores: Official GRE scores are required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0; non-native English speakers must provide evidence of English proficiency from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations, unless they have completed their undergraduate degree in the US. (Minimum score on the TOEFL iBT is 79 and minimum score on the IELTS is 6.5.)
  • Narrative statement: Applicants will submit a narrative statement of 400-500 words in both English and Spanish, French or German, outlining relevant background and reasons for pursuing a graduate certificate in Translation Studies.
  • Three letters of recommendation: One of which can attest to the applicant’s oral and written language proficiency in both English and the second language.
  • Sample translation: Applicants will be asked to write a sample translation into their primary language to submit with their application.

Applicants who have not completed any formal educational language training at the undergraduate level may be granted provisional admission based on completion of undergraduate coursework in English or the second language as deemed necessary by the admission committee.

More Info

Contact Rosa Tezanos-Pinto, Director of Spanish and Graduate Programs.