Languages and Culture Studies: Translating, Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

Are you ready to put your language fluency to work in today’s multilingual, globally-focused world? Gain the skills needed to work in a broad range of areas and function as a translator in areas such as medical, legal, business and education.

The Department of Languages and Culture Studies offers a Graduate Certificate in Languages and Culture Studies: Translating with options in five language pairs: English-French, English-German, English-Japanese, English-Russian, and English-Spanish. Students complete the required 12 graduate credit hours in two to three semesters, and may begin the program in either the fall or spring semester.

Students will study the history, theory, methodology, and profession of translation; work intensively in the analysis and translation of different types of discourse, including non-literary and literary texts; become familiar with computer-assisted translation; and develop advanced post-editing skills. Graduate level coursework may also include special topics courses in translation and up to three credit hours of professional internship credit in translating.

Program Contact

  • Delivery
    Online
  • Credits
    12 Credit Hours
  • Admits
    Spring & Fall

Translating is done in both directions of a given language pair:

  • English ↔ French (100% online)
  • English ↔ German (100% online)
  • English ↔ Japanese (50% online asynchronous, 50% online synchronous)
  • English ↔ Russian (50% online asynchronous , 50% online synchronous)
  • English ↔ Spanish (100% online)​

The program is 100% online and designed to be flexible for working professionals hoping to continue their education.

The Graduate Certificate in Languages and Culture Studies can be completed in one semester if enrolled full-time, and two to three semesters if enrolled part-time.

Courses

Select two of the following:

  • TRAN 6001: History, Theory, and Method of Translation (3)
  • TRAN 6002: Linguistics for Translators (3)
  • TRAN 6003: Computer-Assisted Translating (3)
  • TRAN 6004: Translation Project Management (3)
  • TRAN 6900: Special Topics in Translation Studies (3)

Language-Specific Translation Courses

  • French: Select two of the following
    • TRAN 5402: Practicum in Translating I – French (3)
    • TRAN 5403: Practicum in Translating II – French (3)
    • TRAN 5404: Practicum in Translating III – French (3)
  • German: Select two of the following:
    • TRAN 5412: Practicum in Translating I – German (3)
    • TRAN 5413: Practicum in Translating II – German (3)
    • TRAN 5414: Practicum in Translating III – German (3)
  • Japanese: Select two of the following:
    • TRAN 5422: Practicum in Translating I – Japanese (3)
    • TRAN 5423: Practicum in Translating II – Japanese (3)
    • TRAN 5424: Practicum in Translating III – Japanese (3)
  • Russian: Select two of the following:
    • TRAN 5432: Practicum in Translating I – Russian (3)
    • TRAN 5433: Practicum in Translating II – Russian (3)
    • TRAN 5434: Practicum in Translating III – Russian (3)
  • Spanish: Select two of the following:
    • TRAN 6472 S01: Workshop on Non-Literary Topics I (3)
    • TRAN 6474 S01: Workshop on Non-Literary Topics II (3)
    • TRAN 6476 S01: Advanced Literary and Cultural Translating (3)

*By permission of the department a student may substitute one of the core courses not taken previously or another course such as TRAN 6900: Special Topics or TRAN 6480: Professional Internship for three (3) credit hours.

Transfer Credit: Three credit hours of coursework may be considered for possible transfer into the certificate program if approved by the Department of Languages and Culture Studies. Nine of the 12 credit hours for the Graduate Certificate must be taken at UNC Charlotte.

Admissions

Admissions & Requirements:

  • Baccalaureate degree in in one of the certificate languages: French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish, or in a closely related area that requires sufficient upper-division coursework in that language (e.g., for Spanish, Latin American Studies, International Studies, International Business), or an undergraduate degree, certificate, or minor in translation.
  • Original transcripts that indicate a minimum overall GPA of at least 2.75.
  • Three letters of reference (from professors, specialists in translation, and/or employers, preferably in the field).
  • A well-developed essay in English that addresses the applicant’s motivation for enrolling in the certificate.
  • An oral interview with the Graduate Program Director (this can be conducted by phone or using a virtual platform like Zoom or Google Meet).
  • A sample of translations into or from the language pair selected (with original text to accompany each translation submitted).
    • 1,000 word maximum (in English to target language or vice versa).
    • If applicant does not have translation samples, they can submit a college paper in English and a second one in the target language.
  • Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (International Students only) / DuoLingo test scores also accepted.
  • Complete the Graduate School Admissions Application.

The certificate application does not require GRE or MAT scores.

Students may apply as Early Entry, graduate, and post-graduate students; post-baccalaureate students may apply but will have to submit a second application before completing six credit hours.

Note: Students interested in adding this Graduate Certificate to the M.A. in Spanish must apply separately for the certificate program. One application does not cover both programs.

Application

Application Deadlines:

  • August 1 (fall)
  • December 1 (spring)
Tuition

Please note: Rates are subject to change.

Resident Tuition

  • $288.82 per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

  • $536.98 per credit hour

Non Resident Tuition

  • $1,098.21 per credit hour

More information regarding tuition and fees »