Translation Studies (Certificate)


At a Glance: program details

Translation studies is a dynamic, emerging discipline that engages various theoretical and practical issues. Central to the present and future directions of the humanities, as well as their history, translation studies is one of the most globally relevant fields in today's world.

Program Description

Certificate Awarded: Translation Studies (Certificate)

The graduate certificate in translation studies is a transdisciplinary program offering coursework that intensively engages with translation practice, issues related to the cultural role of the translator and translation, studies of the variety of theoretical approaches to translation, and studies of transhistorical and cross-cultural theories of translation. These areas of emphasis enable students to gain expertise in practical and theoretical knowledge of the field of literary and practical (commercial) translation and to engage in developing new models for the practice of translation today.

The program offers interested students the opportunity to develop an understanding of intercultural intersections and transdisciplinary approaches to the practice of translation and advanced training and mentorship.

Courses and Electives

The coursework for each student is individualized and based upon the student's previous training, and mentor consensus. Students will take core courses, electives, and complete an applied project based on their interest in literary translation. 

Curriculum

The graduate certificate in translation studies is a transdisciplinary program offering coursework that provides:

  • intensive engagement of students in translation practice
  • investigation of issues related to the cultural role of the translator and translation
  • studies in the variety of theoretical approaches to translation in the 20th and 21st centuries
  • studies in trans-historical and cross-cultural theories of translation
Degree Requirements Credit Hours
Required Core Courses 6
Electives 6
Culminating Experience 3
Total Credit Hours 15

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 15 credit hours including the required applied project course (ENG 593 or SLC 593)

Required Core (6 credit hours)
ENG 550 Translation (3)
SLC 551 Global Approaches to Translation (3)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
ENG 593 Applied Project (3) or SLC 593 Applied Project (3)

Additional Curriculum Information
For electives, students should see the academic unit for the approved course list.


Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. writing sample
  4. personal statement
  5. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

International students who need an F1 or J1 visa first need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program prior to being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the U.S. on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for admission to this certificate program.

The personal statement should be no more than two pages and should summarize past educational experiences and goals in pursuing a graduate certificate.

Applicants should have knowledge of a language other than English, a minimum of six semesters of a second language, or the equivalent (for example, advanced placement in high school). Applicants who have passed a language proficiency exam achieving an advanced level in the target language may also apply.


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Career Opportunities

Professionals with this certificate can confidently move into academic, business and international fields. Skills developed through this program are valued for teaching positions, translation work or work in a larger sector such as governmental, diplomatic and international business.

Career examples include:

  • archivists
  • editors
  • foreign language and literature teachers and professors
  • historians
  • interpreters and translators
  • lawyers
  • reporters and correspondents
  • social and community service managers

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.



Application fee waiver

Applicants facing financial hardship may request a waiver for their application fee. Please complete the online application up to the fee payment page. Please send both Ashley Lawless (Ashley.Lawless@asu.edu) and Xiaoqiao Ling (Xiaoqiao.Ling@asu.edu) a brief essay (about 150 words) describing why paying the application fee is difficult in your situation, along with your application ID number. If your request is accepted, we will let you know that you can submit your application without paying the fee. The School of International Letters and Cultures has established a limited budget for these waivers. Requests will be considered as they are received until the budget is spent.