Online Translation and Interpreting Coursework

Students must complete 15 credits in order to receive the online Certificate in Professional Translation and Interpreting. They must pass each course with a grade of C or higher to be eligible for the certificate. Students can also elect to enroll in certain courses only to meet their specific needs for continuing education.

For updated information on classes offered every semester, please visit the University Without Walls website.

1. Select the semester for which you'd like to see the schedule under "Term."
2. Then, select "Professional Translation and Interpreting" under "Program."

Courses from Other Departments, Programs, and Disciplines

With permission from the program director, students can take a maximum of 3 credits from any of the university's current offerings (online/UWW courses) to meet their needs to specialize in a certain field of translation and/or interpreting.

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 they apply to the human activity of translation and interpreting. Coursework includes an overview of ethical behavior and morality, discussions of accountability, and 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 I (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.

LLC 514 – Simultaneous Interpreting II (3 credits)

This course focuses on refining simultaneous interpreting skills and presents increasingly complex and specialized scenarios. Coursework includes discussion of theoretical frameworks of interpreting studies, simultaneous interpretation strategies for different types of communicative situations, application of interpreter codes of ethics and standards of practice, and introduction to technologies available to simultaneous interpreting.

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.

LLC 554 – CAT Tools for Translators (3 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. Note: The software used in this course, especially MemoQ and SDL Studio Trados, ARE NOT COMPATIBLE with Mac computers! Students with Mac computers SHOULD NOT REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE UNLESS THEY CAN SECURE a PC computer for translation exercises!

LLC 561 – 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. This course is recommended for students who have already taken other classes in the certificate or for those who already have experience translating and/or interpreting in the field.

LLC 562 – 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. This course is recommended for students who have already taken other classes in the certificate or for those who already have experience translating and/or interpreting in the field.

LLC 590E – Emotions in Translation & Interpreting (3 credits)

This course focuses on the role emotions play in translation and interpreting. Coursework includes relevant theoretical readings and use of coaching tools to develop an understanding of the role of emotions -in any translation/interpreting assignment. The course is built upon the understanding that being aware of one’s emotions may help a translator/interpreter in self-regulation, improved communication(s)/relationship(s), and stress reduction.

Suggested Certificate Course Sequencing

Below is a suggested course sequencing to help students plan their academic coursework. Our certificate is very flexible so students can start it in any sequence they desire.* However, the program does not guarantee that all courses will be available in all semesters.

* With permission from the program director, students can take a maximum of 3 credits from any of the university’s current offerings (online/UWW courses) to meet their needs to specialize in a certain field of translation and/or interpreting.