If you enjoy working in a dynamic environment, savor the challenge of communicating concepts and ideas between languages, and are fluent in two or more languages, have you considered a career as an interpreter or translator?
According to the Department of Labor, the demand for interpreters and translators will continue to rise as a result of globalization and the increase of limited English speaking populations in the U.S. The Interpretation and Translation certificates at Cal State Fullerton can help you achieve your goal in becoming an interpreter or translator. To get started and learn more about this exciting industry, click on any of the following links…
Learn About the Programs:
Legal Interpretation (Spanish/English) – Fall 2012 registration available in July
Prepares bilingual individuals for the California state examination to become a certified court interpreter and to work as interpreters in the legal field. Students must meet the eligibility requirements prior to starting the program. Program consists of 6 required core courses plus 1 required elective.
Visit the program website
Enroll in a class
Program Information Sheet
Legal Interpretation & Translation (Vietnamese/English) – Fall 2012 registration available in July
Prepares bilingual individuals for the California state examination to become a certified court interpreter and to work as interpreters in the legal field. Students must meet the eligibility requirements prior to starting the program. Program consists of 8 required core courses with optional electives.
Visit the program website
Enroll in a class
Program Information Sheet
Healthcare Interpreting (Spanish/English) – Fall 2012 registration available in July
Program prepares bilingual speakers with the applied learning and skills necessary to work as a healthcare interpreter. Students must meet the eligibility requirements prior to starting the program. Program consists of 5 required core courses with one optional elective.
Visit the program website
Enroll in a class
Program Information Sheet
Professional Translation (Spanish/English) – Fall 2012 registration available in July
Program provides bilingual individuals with an opportunity to improve their level of translation skills and addresses the needs of interpreters who want to expand their skill set in translation. Students must meet the eligibility requirements prior to starting the program. Program consists of 6 required core courses plus 1 required elective.
Visit the program website
Enroll in a class
Program Information Sheet
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Eligibility
The classes in the Interpretation and Translation certificates 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 in addition to required classes:
- For Spanish only, CSUF credit class Spanish 301 Advanced Grammar and Composition with a grade of C or better, attend the program orientation and receive a score of 70% or higher on the bilingual proficiency test
OR
- For Spanish and Vietnamese, 24 semester units or 36 quarter units of post-secondary education, attend the program orientation and receive a score of 70% or higher in both languages tested on the bilingual proficiency test
OR
- For Spanish and Vietnamese, attend the program orientation and receive a score of 70% or higher in both languages tested on the bilingual proficiency test
Program Orientation
For individuals considering a career in translation and interpretation, this orientation is the first step. The two-hour overview provides an introduction to the field, as well as employment opportunities in the legal system, health care, and business settings. A question and answer session will give you an opportunity to speak with experts currently employed in the field. Admission requirements, the proficiency test and classes in the interpretation and translation certificate programs will also be discussed. Attending the orientation does not obligate you to enroll in the program. Register online today!
Bilingual Proficiency Test
Prerequisite: Program Orientation.
Individuals are required to take a 2-hour written bilingual proficiency test which assesses bilingual skills at a high-intermediate level in grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing and listening comprehension to determine if additional language enhancement classes are necessary before starting the program. A score of 70% and above is needed in both languages tested to be eligible to begin the program. If eligible, students enroll in the Introduction to Interpretation & Translation class. If a passing score is not received on the bilingual proficiency test, enrollment in language enhancement classes at the university or college-level are recommended before re-taking the test when it is next offered.
Note: Students are notified of their results on the proficiency test within three to four weeks of taking the test. Students who pass the test are eligible to enroll in the Introduction to Interpretation and Translation class. Students who receive a conditional pass score are required to enroll in the Grammar Review class before continuing on with the program.
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Program Checklist
Each of the Spanish/English programs requires different classes and electives. Please check the program checklist for a complete listing of the requirements for each program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse through the list of the most commonly asked questions. If you need further assistance, please contact the following staff members below.
Contact Information
Veronica Martinez, Program Coordinator
Questions regarding the Spanish/English interpreting and translation programs
657.278.3123
Amanda Matthews, Program Coordinator
Questions regarding the Vietnamese/English interpreting and translation program
657.278.5836
Student Services
2600 Nutwood Ave, Suite 100, Fullerton
Registration, adding or dropping classes, obtain receipt
657.278.2611
Titan Shops (bookstore)
Check store hours, order textbooks online, check rental availability
657.278.3418
CSUF Parking
Purchase parking permits online, check for construction updates
657.278.3082
Completion Certificate
When you have completed everything on the checklist for your program, visit our website and fill out the form: http://www.csufextension.org/customercare/certificate_forms.aspx
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What Do Our Students Say About Our Programs?
Thanks to University Extended Education's Legal Interpretation and Translation Program, Cuong Lien was able to help immigrant fishermen receive legal assistance following the Gulf oil spill last April.
http://calstate.fullerton.edu/inside/2011sp/Translation-Certificate-Graduate-Serves-Vietnamese-in-Gulf.asp
Read what some of our program graduates say about their experience…
"I took the (legal interpretation) oral exam again after completing the Consecutive Interpreting course – and I passed! If I had not taken that class, I don't think I would have made it. My certification paperwork is in progress."
- Francisco Fernandez, Human Resources Manager, McKesson
"I am older than most students in this program. I wish I had found something like this years ago! The CSUF Legal Interpretation (Vietnamese/English) program provides the right coaching, the right environment to study, and the right material. Linguistic issues are difficult and you cannot learn something like legal interpretation without this kind of formal training and guidance. I have passed the written court interpreter certification exam and have just began my internship. I hope to pass the oral exam soon. After I become certified, I would like to work part-time as a court interpreter and assist future legal interpretation students to be the best they can be."
- Chris Nguyen, Retired Entrepreneur, Poet, Lyricist and Writer
"Being able to say 'I got my training at Cal State Fullerton' has opened many doors for me. Thanks to the Healthcare Interpreting program, I've been blessed with an awesome job as a Healthcare Interpreter at a hospital. I'm very happy because I'm getting paid for doing what I enjoy the most."
- Gloria Rieman, Healthcare Interpreter, Antelope Valley Hospital
"I was impressed with the quality of the staff, the program and the one-on-one tutoring and mentoring from instructors."
- Cynthia Blen, former student and Training Procedures Specialist, Superior Court of Orange County
"I especially enjoyed the translation class and the Legal Interpretation internship. It gave me a wonderful reference to use when applying for work."
- Anne Guzman, former student and Clinical Manager, The Children's Clinic
"Taking the Legal Interpretation Certificate (Vietnamese/English) has really enriched my life. I am currently completing my internship and I've found that court interpreting is a very rewarding profession because of how you help others. This summer, I volunteered with the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California and participated in legal clinics in New Orleans for Vietnamese fishermen and shrimpers during the BP oil spill. I have passed the written exam for certification and am preparing for the oral. I'm very happy!"
- Cuong Lien, Quality Assurance Engineer
Additional Resources
For further information about a career in court interpreting, visit: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/
For information concerning the California Court Certification Exam through the State please visit: www.prometric.com/California/default.htm
See how a career in interpretation/translation stacks up: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ (Use "Interpreters and Translators" or Reference number 27-3091 in your search).
Professional Associations:
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