University of Massachusetts Amherst

Online Certificate in Professional Translation & Interpreting

With a carefully designed curriculum, using an advanced online learning management system and different types of virtual education platforms, our 15-credit certificate can be completed in one year or at the student's own pace. Courses can also be taken independent of the certificate to meet students' individual needs for continuing education.

All courses are multilingual, which means students will always have classmates from different languages and cultures in the same online classroom. In addition to providing important perspectives regarding different linguistic and cultural strategies and techniques for translation and interpreting, the multilingual classroom is seen as an asset to the educational environment and to developing intercultural awareness.

Course Descriptions

LLC 401 – Introduction to Translation (3 credits)

This course introduces students to translation history, theories, and practice. Coursework includes glossary development, applied translation strategies and techniques, translation of texts in different fields, reflection on translation performance, and exploration of different online and traditional research methods for source and target language terms. Course content also encompasses discussions of equivalence, linguistic and cultural considerations, an understanding of the translator as a social being, and translation as cultural mediation in a globalized world. By the end of the course, students will build a translation portfolio.

LLC 402 – Fundamentals of Interpreting (3 credits)

This course introduces the complex task of spoken language interpreting, with a focus on developing critical-thinking, decision-making, cognitive skills related to interpreting, and basic interpreting skills. Coursework includes a historical overview of interpreting, typical settings, legal framework in different countries, codes of ethics and standards of practice in different subdomains, professional organizations, various theories and research in the field, role-play practice, and self-assessment.

LLC 501 – Translation and Interpreting Ethics and Standards (3 credits)

This course introduces ethical considerations as it applies to the human activity of translation and interpreting. Coursework includes an overview of ethical behavior and morality, discussions of accountability, professional translator and interpreter professional codes of ethics and standards of practice. Content also includes case studies involving controversial translation and interpreting practices, activism, translators and interpreters in conflict, and the advent of technologies and their impact.

LLC 502 – Interpreting Skills Development (3 credits)

This course focuses on development of the skills of sight translation, consecutive interpreting, note taking, and introducing simultaneous interpretation. Coursework includes relevant interpreting theoretical frameworks and practice exercises in different settings with self-assessment. It also covers topic preparation skills, review of ethics and standards of practice in classroom activities, and application of available technologies, including telephonic and video remote interpreting.

LLC 510 – Legal Interpreting (3 credits)

This course introduces students to interpreting in the legal setting and offers an overview of the requirements for certification. Coursework covers discussions regarding different types of courts and cases tried in courts. The course also introduces students to legal vocabulary and legal settings outside the courtroom.

LLC 511 – Interpreting in Mental Health (2 credits)

Spoken language interpreters in mental health often make use of simultaneous interpreting as a mode that best provides language mediation in settings such as group therapy. Like other common modes of interpreting, simultaneous has a specific set of skills and strategies that interpreters need to develop. Coursework includes theoretical discussions of simultaneous interpreting and strategies, mental health diagnosis/treatment terminology, and practice.

LLC 512 – Simultaneous Interpreting (3 credits)

This course focuses on refinement of simultaneous interpreting skills and presents increasingly complex and specialized scenarios. Coursework includes simultaneous interpretation strategies, application of interpreter codes of ethics and standards of practice, discussion oftheoretical frameworks of interpreting studies as a field of research, and technologies available to simultaneous interpreting.

LLC 513 - Educational Interpreting (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of educational settings and offers students opportunities to develop their interpreting skills in this field. It also provides an overview of current national initiatives working to formalize this interpreting specialization. Coursework includes theoretical knowledge and practical application of interpreting skills, applying existing codes of ethics and standards of practice from other interpreting specialization to educational settings, glossary development, and role-plays / presentation exercises that simulate different kinds of encounters in educational settings.

Comp-Lit 551 – Translation & Technology (3 credits)

The course covers a range of technologies that are useful for students of all languages, helping them expand their international communication skills. Technologies covered include multilingual word processing, desktop publishing, proofing tools, CAT tools, web translation, and subtitling.

LLC 552 – Medical Interpreting (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of healthcare settings and offers students opportunities to develop their interpreting skills in this field. It also provides an overview of current national certification exams for medical interpreters. Coursework includes theoretical knowledge and practical application ofinterpreting skills, medical terminology, glossary development, and role-plays in different medical settings.

LLC 553 - Audiovisual Translation (2 credits)

This course introduces students to audiovisual translation (AVT). Coursework includes an overview of the discipline and discussions on its polysemiotic nature, an introduction to different areas of audiovisual translation, such as audio description and dubbing, and a more focused exploration of subtitling.

LLC597C - Career Development for Translators and interpreters (1 credit)

Coursework includes building experience strategies, overview of major professional organizations, resume writing, networking and creating a professional online presence.

LLC597R - Technology for Interpreters (1 credit)

This course aims to introduce students to specialized technological tools for working as a remote interpreter, including preparation, delivery, and teamwork. Coursework includes an introduction to digital note-taking, guidelines on improving incoming and outgoing digital sound, and an exploration of innovative glossary techniques.

LLC597T - CAT Tools for Translators (2 credits)

This course aims at allowing students to gain firsthand translation practice using different CAT tools, learning translation and terminology software, and troubleshooting in an online environment.