UC San Diego Extension's Professional and Specialized Certificates in

The Specialized Certificate in Translation (Spanish/English) is an intensive training program designed to teach bilingual adults, who may or may not already be working in the field, the requisite knowledge and skills they need to become successful translators. The curriculum is designed and taught by qualified, active translation professionals who are experts in their fields. Their high-quality instruction, course content, and current knowledge of career trends are a great benefit to our students.

The program’s specialized content allows students to focus quickly on the knowledge that is most relevant and applicable to work in the field of translation. This concentrated approach to translation distinguishes this specialized certificate from UCSD Extension’s Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation, which offers a more comprehensive approach to the field, including theory and practice of sight translation/interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and simultaneous interpretation.

Conditions for Admission / Entrance Exam

Total fluency in both English and Spanish as determined by a written entrance exam is required. For this program, total fluency signifies the ability to complete second year college-level courses in both languages. The exam allows for accurate screening of certificate applicants and ensures that all students satisfy the program's language requirements. The result for our students is high quality content and discussions in their courses.

All students who pass the entrance exam are eligible to enroll in the certificate program. Select courses may be taken prior to passing the entrance exam, however, admission to advanced courses and obtaining the certificate require successful completion of the exam.

The certificate enrollment fee is $60. The entrance exam fee is $75. The exam may be completed online or on-campus. See quarterly schedule for the next scheduled exam date.

The courses listed below may be taken prior to passing the entrance exam:

The Coursework

The program consists of the seven courses listed below. These courses provide students with the introductory-level knowledge and skills needed to enter the field of translation and produce accurate, high-quality translations. With the exception of Introduction to Translation, the courses are ten weeks long (30 hours of instruction), and provide 3 quarter units of UCSD Extension credit. Introduction to Translation offers 15 hours of instruction and 1.5 quarter units of UCSD Extension credit.

Course Schedule

All required courses are available in the online format. With the exception of Tools and Technology in Translation, the required courses are also available in the traditional face-to-face format on the UCSD campus. Students may take advantage of either or both scheduling options when enrolling in classes.

Suggested Course Order

Although it is not required, it is recommend that students begin the program with Introduction to Translation. This hands-on course offers a practical introduction to the field and addresses the various career options available. Students may concurrently enroll in more than one course, however, it is recommended students complete Spanish to English Translation I and English to Spanish Translation I in separate quarters and before Theory & Practice of Translation. Only English to Spanish Translation II and Spanish to English Translation II have individual course prerequisites.

Other Courses of Interest

After completing the required coursework, students may apply their skills and training to particular professional industries. Translation courses mentioned below are electives for the Professional Certificate in Translation and Interpretation.

Medical Translation: Internal Medicine

Class Schedule & Environment

Most of our students are working professionals with traditional work schedules. As a result, we offer flexible scheduling options to allow students to participate in classes online or on campus in a traditional classroom setting. Both options offer small class sizes, often with no more than 16 students. We intentionally keep our classes smaller so students can participate in a relaxed, interactive, and supportive environment with maximum opportunity for practice. Courses are offered quarterly and students may enroll in as many courses per quarter as their schedule permits as long as they have met the individual course prerequisites.

Campus courses meet weekly for three hours for ten consecutive weeks. Evening classes meet from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Weekend classes meet on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For each course, the average student spends three hours in class and six hours on homework each week. Classes are held at the Extension Complex on the UCSD campus in La Jolla, California.

Online courses are asynchronous but not self-paced. Students are required to keep up with weekly assignments. For each course, the average student spends three hours online and six hours offline each week. We recommend that the online hours be uninterrupted and completed in one sitting. Students are encouraged to preview our e-learning system before enrolling in courses.

Attendance Policy

Campus Courses: Attendance is mandatory for the first class meeting of all courses. If you miss the first class meeting, you will automatically be dropped from the class and issued a full refund. One excused absence is permitted per course. Each additional absence will result in a grade reduction. Note: if a course fills, waitlisted students must attend the first class meeting for enrollment requests to be considered.

Online Courses: You are required to log in to the class during the first week. If you do not log in for the first time by Saturday night, 10:00 p.m. PST of the first week, you will be dropped from the class and issued a full refund. If, at any time during the quarter, a two-week period passes and you do not log in, it will be assumed that you stopped participating in the course. Further class participation and assignments will not be accepted. All assignments, translations, quizzes, and discussions are due on the dates indicated. Late coursework will be accepted up to four days after the due date, but the grade will be reduced by one full grade. Late work will not be accepted if it is more than four days late and will be given zero points. No class work will be accepted after 10:00 p.m. PST of the final day of the course.

Homework Policy

For online courses, all assignments, translations, quizzes, and discussions are due on the dates indicated in the syllabus for each class. Late coursework will be accepted up to four days after the due date, but the grade will be reduced by one full grade. Late work will not be accepted if it is more than four days late and will be given zero points. No coursework will be accepted after 10:00 p.m. PST of the final day of the course. Campus course homework policies will vary with each class. Please view your course syllabus for guidelines.

Computer Access and the Spanish Keyboard

Students must have access to a computer, a working knowledge of its functions, and know how to type in English and Spanish, including accents and special symbols. All translation assignments are submitted electronically in online and on-campus courses. Instructions for typing Spanish accented characters with MAC, Windows XP, Windows Vistas, using a U.S. or an international keyboard, can be found at StudySpanish.com.

Academic Credit

To receive the certificate, students must complete the seven required courses (19.5 quarter units) and receive a grade equivalent to C- or better in all courses. Courses may be taken Pass/No Pass. A Pass is equivalent to a C- or better.

Transferability of Credit

Students may petition to apply translation coursework completed at another accredited institution toward the certificate requirements. Official transcript, course description, and syllabus must be submitted before a petition will be evaluated. A maximum of one course may be considered. The entrance exam may not be waived.

Program Length

The length of time needed to complete the program depends on how many courses students complete each quarter. Because many students are working professionals, most enroll in one to two courses per quarter. At this rate, the program can be completed in three to four quarters. Because some courses are prerequisites for other courses, the program cannot be completed in one quarter. The minimum time to complete the program is three quarters.

The maximum time to complete the program is three years.

Approximate Cost

$2,910 (includes $60 certificate enrollment fee, $75 entrance exam fee, and all course fees). This amount is paid incrementally as students enroll in courses rather than up front. Quarterly early enrollment discounts reduce price to $2,735. Cost does not include including textbooks, materials and parking. Course fees and schedules are subject to change.

Financial Aid

To help facilitate payment, UC San Diego Extension has partnered with several lending institutions to provide you with financial aid options. The UCSD Extension Financial Aid Representative is available to help you choose the loan that is right for you and to assist you with the application process. Note: you are not eligible to receive financial assistance until you have passed the entrance exam and enrolled in the certificate program.

San Diego Workforce Partnership

Unemployed and recently laid-off applicants may qualify to receive training funds. For details, contact San Diego Workforce Partnership or UCSD Extension Representative.

-->