General questions
Do you offer the program online?
We offer some online and some hybrid classes (we meet once per week). All our seated classes are in the evenings to allow for those students who work to come, and in some cases we also offer the possibility to attend remotely in case you cannot come to our College Avenue Campus in New Brunswick (you would have to be available at class time though).
How long does it take to complete the program?
This depends on your availability and how many credits you can take per semester. The certificate is offered to students who complete 19-21 credits in the applied courses, whereas for the MA Students must complete 24 credits of course work and an additional 6 credits of either thesis or practicum. Therefore, the certificate program can be completed in 1 year (3 semesters), while the MA is normally completed in 2 years.
Does the certificate or the MA certify me as a court or medical interpreter, or as an ATA translator?
We offer a rigorous training program that prepares candidates for the job market and to take any certification exams, such as the ATA translation certificate, or the NJ or Federal Court Interpreter Exam. Many of our alumni pass these certification exams and hold top positions in the field.
How much is the cost of the program?
The cost of the program depends on a number of factors, such as your status of residency in New Jersey. Updated information on per-credit cost can be found here. In addition to tuition, you will have to add certain student fees.
Do you offer a court interpreting class and how much does it cost?
We offer a 3-credit interpreting class in the Fall (September through December) and a 3-credit court interpreting class in the Spring (January through May). Both are hybrid classes (we meet once per week in the evening at our College Avenue Campus in New Brunswick). If you don't have any previous experience interpreting, we recommend taking both, as the first class will teach you the basics of interpreting (note taking, memory, interpreting techniques, etc.). If you are interested in these classes, please follow the admission instructions for admission to the certificate. The cost of the courses depends on a number of factors, such as your status of residency in New Jersey. Updated information on per-credit cost can be found here. In addition to tuition, you will have to add certain student fees.
Before you apply
What if I don’t have a Bachelor’s degree?
Members of the community can, in exceptional cases, pursue our certificate even if they don´t hold an undergraduate degree. Please follow the instructions to apply for our certificate program here so that we can evaluate your case.
Application
What do I need to apply?
It is recommended to apply to the Certificate of Translation and Interpreting first through the department. Applicants seeking to apply to the Certificate of Translation and Interpreting program must submit the application form. With the form you will have to upload the following documents, so we recommend you to have them ready before you start filling it out:
- Cover Letter
- College transcripts and/or proof of employment as a translator/interpreter
- Two essays (400-500 words, double spaced)
- Essays are to be written in English and Spanish indicating your background in both languages, why you want to take the courses and your future goals.
Upon acceptance to the program, and as long all requirements for admission are fulfilled, applicants will be directly admitted as a visiting student through the School of Continuing Studies. Another option is to apply as a non-matriculated student at the School of Arts and Sciences. Please follow the admission instructions for admission to the certificate.
Students in the MA are admitted on the basis of undergraduate records, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and TOEFL (native Spanish speakers from abroad), and demonstrated competency in both English and Spanish. Application is done through the Graduate College (https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/apply/apply-now).
We also offer a 5-year MA for those undergrads majoring or minoring in Spanish at Rutgers.
What do the essays have to deal with?
For your application you need to write two essays, one in English and one in Spanish, about why you want to pursue this program, and about your future goals. Essays are to be written independently, and don’t have to be a translation of each other.
Is the GRE an application requirement for the MA?
GRE is not required, but if you have it, you can submit it with your application.
I work full time. Would you suggest a Fall or Spring start date for the program?title=
You can start any time. We offer each semester and in the Summer our entry course for the certificate program, 401: Advanced Translation. For the MA program, you can also start any time and we will recommend the most suitable courses that match your profile. We also know many of you have jobs and/or live far from New Brunswick. Therefore, we only offer evening, online, hybrid and remote courses.
Once you are admitted
If I am admitted for one term, can I be deferred to another term?
If you have been admitted for one term (e.g. Fall), but you cannot start the following semester, please contact us so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Inform our Graduate Program Administrator Rosy Ruiz (
Does the language department offer any kind of financial aid or student teaching options?
Current and former students receive federal assistance, in the form of grants or loans, and external scholarships. Our Department only offers Teaching Assistantships for our PhD programs. Students can contact the Financial Aid Office at the University to check what options might be available to them
Are there a minimum number of credits required to be taken per semester in order to complete the MA?
If you need to be full-time status to receive financial aid, you need to register for a least 9 credits per semester. Otherwise, there’s no minimum number of credits to take per semester
If I enroll in the program for the certificate this fall, and reenroll the following Spring for the masters program, will the credits from the certificate program automatically count towards the credits for the MA degree?
You can take courses for the certificate in the Fall. Then apply to the MA by either December 1st or March 15th. The credits completed will count if admitted to the program and after completing 12 credits as a matriculated student in the MA.