Translation and Interpreting

A student meets with their academic advisors in the Library.

Delivery: A mix of daytime, evening, and online courses.
Start: Fall, Spring, or Summer; Full- or Part-Time.

For more information about options for pursuing our program at a distance, please contact the Program Director at trin@century.edu

For part-time sample plans, see “Planning Your Program” below.


About the Program

The spoken language Translation and Interpreting (TRIN) Program is designed to educate bilingual students who wish to develop professional interpreting skills and prepare for careers in our increasingly diverse communities. You will train to provide professional interpretation and to work in a variety of areas, including health care, social services, education, and legal settings. Students will:

  • Enhance their multilingual abilities to provide professional services in health care, social services, education, and legal settings
  • Interpret the spoken word and correctly convey verbal and nonverbal messages to an audience on behalf of someone needing to connect
  • Empower people by helping them cross the communication divide through the accurate translation of written materials

For those who already have related work experience, the coursework offered will help you improve your skills and provide a certificate or diploma that demonstrates qualifications to your potential or current employers.

Coursework includes consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, translation techniques, standards of practice, and codes of ethics.

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Planning for Your Program


Request for Information


Cost & Financial Aid

As a two-year public community and technical college, Century College receives funding from the State of Minnesota, keeping tuition rates significantly lower than private colleges and universities. With affordable tuition rates and financial aid and scholarship opportunities, our students avoid student loan debt.

Financial Aid

Century College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our programs qualify for financial aid including grants, loans, and college work-study. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Century College’s Federal School Code is 010546.

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year, the Century College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to Century College students involved in several areas of study. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.

Tuition Cost per Credit Comparison: Century College $206.41, University of MN - TC $555.13, Private Colleges & Universities $1,416.

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Translation and Interpreting Testimonials

Transfer

Student presenting in front of the class.

Potential Job Titles

Student translating for a patient in a hospital.
  • Interpreter and Translator
  • Supervisor of Interpreter Services
  • Language Services Manager

Salary Data

Interpreter and Translator
Average Wage: $24.04/hour
Top Earners: $36.22/hour

Information gathered pertains to seven county metro area - careerwise.minnstate.edu


Prerequisites

  1. Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950 with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940 with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950 with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090 with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051 with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052 with a grade of C or higher.
  2. High-level fluency in speaking and writing at least two languages before enrolling in the program. In rare cases, and with the consent of the program director, students who speak two or more languages fluently but only write fluently in English may be granted permission to enroll. This exception is reserved for primarily oral languages for which there is a high demand for interpreters.
  3. Prospective students must submit a student information form and language screening to trin@century.edu before registering for the program. Registration for TRIN 1021, TRIN 1032, and TRIN 1033 requires consent from the Program Director, after review of the student information form and an informal language screening.
  4. Advanced High or Superior rating on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in the weaker language, as determined by the Program Director, or equivalent, prior to enrolling in TRIN 1083 is required. Students complete this assessment in TRIN 1033; a course fee is attached to TRIN 1033 to cover the cost. Scores of Advanced Mid are considered on a case-by-case basis; students who are rated Advanced Mid and continue in the program are expected to commit to further language study. Students who score below the cut-offs described in the preceding sentences may retake the Oral Proficiency Interview at their own cost and after consulting with the Program Director. At least six months must pass between the initial test and the re-test.
  5. Structured interpreting practicums, service learning and field experiences are important components of quality interpreter programs. Students in the Certificate in Translation and Interpreting are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of approved practicums, field experiences, or service learning, as part of TRIN 2780. Students in the Diploma in Translation and Interpreting Program are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of approved practicums, field experiences, or service learning, as part of TRIN 2780.
  6. Minnesota Department of Human Services background study without restrictions may be required for the internship, service learning, and field experience requirements.

Resource Links

ATA (American Translators Association)

UMTIA (Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association)

ISG (Interpreting Stakeholder Group)

Interpret America

Century Human Services Pathway

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    Program Faculty

  • Experience: Freelance and staff interpreter since 2003.
    Education: MA, Translation and Interpreting, Monterey Institute of International Studies; PhD, Interpreting, University of Geneva
    Rachel Herring
    Faculty/Program Director
    Bio
    Translation and Interpreting
  • Marcela Estibill
    Faculty
    Translation and Interpreting