The Interpreting Track is designed for those considering careers as professional language interpreters.
Being bilingual is not enough to be a successful translator. Professional translators must be experts in both source and target cultures, skilled readers of the source language and superb writers of the target language. In addition, they need expertise in an area of specialization and a solid grasp of the language-services industry.
Our Translation & Interpreting Studies programs are housed in an accredited, Tier 1 Research institution and offer professional translator and interpreter training in a dynamic environment. Students collaborate with faculty and classmates from around the world to develop the skills they need to succeed in a thriving international market. Learn how to translate and/or interpret, and how to be a language professional through using leading industry computer-assisted translation tools and completing internships that often lead to employment. Our program can prepare you to:
- be an in-house translator
- be a freelancer
- be a translation company owner
- specialize in your area of interest
- pursue doctoral studies
- develop your professional skills without pursuing a degree
Please visit this page to request more information.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these program requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Knowledge of a language other than English. Entrance competencies for specific concentrations are as follows:
- Language concentrations: an undergraduate major in the language, or comparable background, such as coursework, a significant immersion experience, or native fluency combined with appropriate academic training.
- Translation tracks: competence on a qualifying examination.
- Comparative Literature concentration: an undergraduate major in comparative literature, including advanced study of a language other than English, or equivalent literary and language preparation.
- Linguistics concentration: an undergraduate major in linguistics or in a related field, such as English, a foreign language, psychology, philosophy, or anthropology; and at least a basic-level familiarity with a language other than English, as evidenced by coursework, immersion experience or native fluency.
- Submission to the MALLT Program of three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from instructors acquainted with the student’s academic work.
- Submission to the MALLT Program of a well-developed statement of approximately 500 words outlining the applicant’s academic background and interests, reasons for graduate study in the MALLT program, intended concentration and professional goals.
Applicants who meet general Graduate School requirements (an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75) and the above program requirements may be admitted in good standing.
Upon recommendation of the Coordinating Committee, an applicant lacking in course background may be admitted with specified deficiencies in the above on the condition that the deficiencies be made up by the end of the first full semester (9-12 credits). Credits earned in making up deficiencies do not count toward the degree. If an applicant furnishes substantial evidence of capacity to do satisfactory graduate work despite a deficiency in GPA on admission, probationary admission may be recommended.
Credits and Courses
No credits carrying a grade below B- may be counted toward meeting the MALLT degree requirement of 30 credits.
The MALLT degree offers two tracks:
- the Standard Track within which students may complete one of eight concentrations and
- the Translation Track, which will be designated as a concentration on the student’s transcript.
Students are not obligated to elect a concentration, but many will find it beneficial to do so. They also have the option of completing two concentrations, but, in doing so, students must complete all requirements for each concentration and a minimum of 36 credits for the degree.
Standard Track
Thirty graduate credits are required, 6 of which must be in core seminars in the language, literature, and linguistics areas. The student develops a program of study in consultation with the Major Professor, normally including the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two core seminars as a foundation in basic aspects of languages, literatures, and linguistics | 6 | |
| Select five to eight courses in a language, literature, or linguistics area to permit concentration in the student’s major area of interest. Select the remaining credits in related areas to give the program breadth. | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Interpreting Requirements
Students must earn thirty graduate credits, as indicated below. Admission is based in part on a qualifying examination.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| TRNSLTN 820 | Translation Theory | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 709 | Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation | 3 |
| Required | ||
| TRNSLTN 700 | Introduction to Interpreting | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 710 | Comparative Systems for Translation | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 711 | Ethics in Translation and Interpreting | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 722 | Advanced Interpreting (under development) | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 730 | Internship in Translation/Interpreting | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 750 | Community Interpreting and Translation (under development) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits which may include the following: | 6 | |
| Business and Professional Aspects of Translation | ||
| Project Management in Translation | ||
| Editing for Translation | ||
Introduction to Translation 1 | ||
Advanced Seminar in Translation 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
In French, German, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Italian to English, or English to Spanish
Additional Requirements
Transfer of Credits
Any course submitted for transfer must be no more than five years old at the time of the student’s admission to the MALLT Program, must have been taken at the graduate level in a recognized institution, and must have been completed with a grade of B or better. Since Graduate School regulations allow the transfer of only 12 non-degree graduate credits to a master’s program, students are advised to apply for degree candidacy in the MALLT program before completion of 12 credits of coursework.
Major Professor as Advisor
The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student’s studies as specified in Graduate School regulations.
The Coordinating Committee refers each incoming student to a temporary advisor, normally the Graduate Advisor in the student’s chosen concentration, as stated in the application. The Graduate Advisor assists in assessing the student’s competencies, interests, and future academic or professional needs. Normally, the Graduate Advisor recommends a Major Professor after his/her initial meeting with the student.
The Major Professor and the student establish a plan of study by the end of the student’s first semester of graduate work. The plan will be reviewed by the Major Professor and the student after the successful completion of 12 credits and the removal of any deficiencies that may have been assessed at admission. At the time of the review, the student may request another Major Professor in the event that his/her programmatic needs have been modified or altered. Subsequent minor changes must be approved by the Major Professor.
The Major Professor evaluates and updates the student’s progress after completion of every six (6) credits or every semester of subsequent work. The student may not register for any courses without this advisor’s prior approval.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
Language, Literature, and Translation MA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Language, Literature, and Translation MA (MALLT) program will be able to:
- Articulate concentration-specific linguistic, literary, and cultural knowledge about past and contemporary communities within their historical, socio-cultural and global context.
- Identify, describe and utilize the pertinent critical/theoretical frameworks, methods, and terminology of their field of linguistic, literary, and/or cultural studies.
- Communicate fluently and clearly in writing and in oral presentations nuanced analysis of linguistic, literary, and cultural works in the target language of their field of study.
- Conduct and produce independent research in their field by developing and delimiting a research question; systematically investigating the question; retrieving and synthesizing bibliographical materials; and presenting their research analytically and argumentatively.
- Perform professional skills tied to the specific professional area of study such as: utilizing oral and written language skills in professional and academic settings; teaching the target language in first- and second-year language acquisition courses; or translating and interpreting accurately in a wide variety of domains and settings.
- Search and apply for professional opportunities or advanced study in/related to the M.A., and participate in professional activities (such as colloquia, conferences, internships, meetings and workshops).