While the United States has no minimum educational requirements to be a translator, many freelance translators have undergraduate degrees in a foreign language (their source language) combined with extensive coursework in a particular discipline. Those who want to further their understanding of translation theory and practices may decide to continue their education with either a Certificate in Translation Studies or a Master’s in Translation Studies. Below is a sampling of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in Translation Studies.
Institute for Applied Linguistics (IAL) at Kent State University
As noted on the school’s website, the IAL is the country’s only comprehensive B.S. to Ph.D. program and offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Translation, a Master’s in Translation, and a Ph.D. in Translation Studies. The IAL provides training and coursework in five language pairs, including Spanish. For more information about the IAL at Kent State, click here.
Marygrove College
Marygrove College, located in Detroit, offers a Certificate Program in Modern Language Translation. The year-long (attending full time) certificate program is designed to train professionals to work as translators and train them for the American Translators Association certification. Click here for contact information, admissions requirements, and program requirements.
Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS)
MIIS Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation offers a variety of degrees: M.A. in Translation, M.A. in Translation/Localization Management, M.A. in Translation & Interpretation, M.A. in Conference Interpretation, and non-degree programs as well as short courses. The graduate school’s website stresses the importance of qualified translators and interpreters in an increasingly globalized world and prepares its students for high profile assignments across the globe. To read more about the school’s programs, click here.
American University
American University in D.C. offers a graduate certificate in translation with an emphasis on translation into English. The program not only targets those who primarily want to work as translators, but also anyone who works for a company with an international dimension. Click here for program requirements and contact information.
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
UMass-Amherst offers a Master’s Degree in Translation Studies as a separate track in the M.A. in Comparative Literature Program. Program coursework delves into practical techniques and strategies of translation as well as theoretical and cultural implications of the field. Students must take twelve credits in comparative literature, as this program seems to lean heavily towards literary translations, but students can also specialize in business or technical translations. You can find detailed information about the program here.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but rather is a starting point as you research opportunities for advancing your education in the translation field. Another interesting link: Organizations offering translation credentials.
