Marygrove College’s Translation Certificate programs, designed to prepare students for careers as language translators, are now offered online. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, demand for translators and interpreters is expected to increase 24 percent through 2016.
The three programs, Arabic, French and Spanish, are some of the most widely used international languages and Marygrove College was the first in the U.S. to offer an Arabic Translation Certificate.
“Marygrove changed this to an online program because we understand that today’s students have unique time challenges that require flexibility when it comes to education,” said Dr. Lourdes Torres, assistant professor of Modern Languages, Marygrove College. “We also recognize that Michigan has a large number of displaced workers who are looking to quickly get retrained. Our one-year translation programs provide a wonderful opportunity for students with strong language skills to get back on their feet quickly and prepare for rewarding careers as professional translators.”
Eligible students for the Translation Certificate program must have completed at least third-year college Arabic, Spanish or French classes, or have native or near-native reading and writing proficiency in the foreign language and English. An interview with the program director also is required to complete the admissions process.
In contrast to interpreters who specialize in the spoken word and serve as liaisons between parties, translators work with printed copy. Translators are often paid per word, with many jobs being free-lance with flexible hours. For full-time staff at language-services firms, the expected annual income range is $40,000 to $60,000 according to a recent industry survey. Savvy translators, who also possess a specialized area of knowledge beyond language, increase their opportunities to earn more.
Marygrove’s 15-credit, one-year certificate programs offer:
• Translation certificates in Arabic, French or Spanish;
• An overview of professional opportunities and state-of-the-art practices;
• Practical translation workshops, including business translation;
• Internship opportunities;
• Scheduling flexibility;
• Online, individualized instruction;
• Credits counted towards an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree;
• The opportunity to earn a translation certificate at the graduate level.
Marygrove’s Translation Certificate programs qualify for the State of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind funding, which is targeted to dislocated workers and/or students from low-income families. The program provides up to $5,000 per
year in grant aid (money that does not need to be repaid) for up to two years to students who have financial need left after other forms of financial aid have been exhausted. For more information visit https://www.michigan.gov/nwlb.
Marygrove College’s winter semester begins Jan. 11. For more information about the Translation Certificate programs, please contact Dr. Lourdes Torres at (313) 927-1363 or ltorres@marygrove.edu.
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