Legal Interpreting Certificate
The Legal Interpreting (LI) certificate is a 20 credit hour program. It is designed to be completed in three semesters, although there is enough flexibility in the curriculum to extend the time period for additional semesters, if the student prefers a slower pace. The program is organized in a progression of courses leading the student from general concepts to increasingly complex skills and knowledge, culminating in a comprehensive skills exam and a professional practicum. It includes seven courses and is designed to give bilingual (English and Spanish) students the awareness, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as entry-level interpreters and translators in legal settings, including courts, law offices and similar environments. Employment opportunities may also be available with professional employed freelance interpreters. Although the emphasis of the program is legal interpreting, the skills gained could be applied to other interpreting and translating settings in the community, such as conference interpreting and translation of written documents.
Candidates for the Legal Interpreting certificate will be tested in order to measure knowledge and fluency in both English and Spanish, with a requirement of ACTFL Superior (ILR level 3) level in both languages for admission to the program.
(Major Code 5220; State CIP Code 16.0103)
First Semester
| LI 130 | Introduction to Legal Interpreting* | 3 |
| LI 140 | Legal Interpreting Skills I* | 3 |
| LAW 121 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Second Semester
| LI 150 | Legal Interpreting Skills II* | 3 |
| LI 160 | Spanish Legal Interpreting* | 3 |
| ADMJ 121 | Introduction to Administration of Justice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Third Semester
| LI 180 | Legal Interpreting Practicum* | 2 |
| Total Hours | 2 | |
Total Program Hours: 20