Certificate in Legal Interpretation (Spanish/English)
Program
The Legal Interpretation Certificate (Spanish/English) is an opportunity to develop the skills you need to succeed in the interesting and challenging field of legal interpretation. Are you bilingual in Spanish and English, with an aptitude for interpreting? Southern California is experiencing a chronic shortage of trained and qualified Spanish-English interpreters in the criminal justice system, healthcare, civil service and business settings. This represents a considerable opportunity for anyone who is fluent in both Spanish and English. Certified interpreters working in the courts can earn up to $282 per day (Judicial Council of California).
The classes in the Legal Interpretation Certificate were designed to provide bilingual individuals with the necessary training to work as interpreters in the legal field. This program also prepares you for the California state examination to become a certified court interpreter.
Special features of the Legal Interpretation Certificate include a program orientation where guest speakers talk about the interpreting and translation profession and current employment opportunities. You will also have access to a completely remodeled language laboratory to practice legal interpretation skills. An internship program is also available in collaboration with the Orange County Family Law Court.
To receive a Certificate in Legal Interpretation Certificate (Spanish/English), individuals need to complete the Program Orientation and required courses totaling a minimum of 161 hours of lecture and discussion. You may also select additional elective classes for up to 227 hours and 22.7 CEUs. At least 16.1 Continuing Education Units will be awarded to the certificate graduate.
Program Objective
Upon completion of the certificate program, graduates will be able to:
- Identify and discuss the process of translation and interpretation and differentiate between the roles of the interpreter/translator
- Demonstrate an understanding and exhibit a high standard of professionalism through knowledge of the legal interpretation field, its business and legal practices, social issues, professional code of conduct and code of ethics
- Understand the problems and complexities of interpretation, and the roles and responsibilities of a legal interpreter
- Identify and perform interpretation-related skills necessary for a variety of professional environments such as judicial courts, civil and criminal proceedings, state and federal agencies, law offices, law enforcement agencies and diplomatic service
- Identify, understand and use pertinent terminology representative of legal proceedings
- Identify problems and apply problem-solving strategies necessary in a legal interpretation setting
- Demonstrate awareness of culture and linguistic sensitivity between source and target language
- Carry out research to prepare for interpretation assignments
- Be better prepared to take the California Court Interpreter Certification Exam
Who Should Attend
- Bilingual Spanish/English individuals interested in general interpreting
- Bilingual Spanish/English individuals interested in court, legal or administrative hearings interpreting
- Bilingual Spanish/English individuals working in law enforcement and government fields
- Bilingual Spanish/English freelance interpreters and translators seeking federal certification
- Bilingual Spanish/English interpreters seeking to pass the state exam to become certified for court interpretation or administrative hearings
Eligibility
The classes in the Legal Interpretation certificate are open to anyone who meets the stated prerequisites for each class. To be eligible for a certificate, students should have completed one of the following:
- CSUF credit class Spanish 301 Advanced Grammar and Composition with a grade of C or better, attend the Program Orientation and receive a satisfactory score on the bilingual placement test;
OR
- 24 semester units or 36 quarter units of post-secondary education, attend the Program Orientation and receive a satisfactory score on the bilingual placement test;
OR
- Demonstrate bilingual competence in oral and written Spanish and English, and attend the Program Orientation and receive a satisfactory score on the bilingual placement test
CSUF Credit Class that Contributes Toward Certificate Eligibility Requirements
Students may enroll in the CSUF degree credit class listed below, if needed, through Open University enrollment in University Extended Education. Please consult the university's class schedule for information about availability of these classes. Open University registration forms are available at www.csufextension.org .
Spanish 301 Advanced Grammar and Composition (3 units)
Emphasis on grammar analysis and written expression. Conducted in Spanish.
Contact Veronica Martinez, 657.278.3123, vmartinez@fullerton.edu