Translation Research and Instruction Program

Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) — Graduate

The Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) offers four degree tracks: a minor in translation studies; a graduate translation certificate; a Master of Arts in Translation, and a PhD in Translation Studies, the first one of its kind in the United States.

Graduate Certificate Program

Most students in the program are matriculated in one of the University degree programs; however, the translation studies courses listed below may be taken as a separate track. For degree programs identified as especially suitable for the integration of translator training, see the appropriate sections of the Bulletin: Comparative Literature MA with a Translation Studies track and Romance Languages MA. Whether a portion of credits earned toward an advanced degree will be accepted toward the TRIP graduate certificate is determined by TRIP.

Admission

Students pursuing the certificate as a separate track must follow the standard Graduate School matriculation procedures. The following are basic prerequisites: 

  • A demonstrable ability to write graduate-level texts in English; 
  • A near-native command of a second language, from which they will generally be translating; 
  • Residence in the country of the second language is recommended, either prior to or during a student's graduate certificate studies; 
  • Students who have not had any experience with translation are advised to take one semester of the translation workshop (see below) before formally applying to the program. After the first semester, the TRIP director will evaluate their performance and advise them either to apply or to improve their language skills before proceeding with their training. 

To apply, you must submit the following materials. For general guidelines for these materials, see the .

  • Online graduate degree application with graduate degree application fee
  • Transcripts from each college or university that you have attended
    • Transcripts demonstrating a completed bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 or higher GPA (or its equivalent)
  • Personal Statement
    • Describe your qualifications, your interest in the program, and your language proficiency in a one- to two-page personal statement. 
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Writing sample
    • Two writing samples, one in each language, one of which can be non-academic (minimum of two pages each in 12-point font, one-inch margins)
  • Note: Applicants lacking previous graduate coursework in languages should be prepared for a diagnostic examination during the application process. 

Program of Courses

Courses Credits
A. Program of Courses: Literary Track  
TRIP 572 Translation Workshop: Literary (two semesters) 8
TRIP 560 Intro to Translation Studies 4
One graduate course in the source literature 4
Total 16
B. Program of Courses: Non-Literary Track  
TRIP 573 Translation Workshop: Non-Literary (two semesters) 8
TRIP 560 Intro to Translation Studies 4
One graduate course in an area of specialization 4
Total 16

Students interested in certification must obtain a B grade or higher in all of the required courses.

Those interested in more than one language combination, i.e., Spanish>English and Korean>English, must take at least one more four-credit Translation Workshop course, to practice translating from the second source language of their choice, and a graduate course involving the literature, history or culture of this same language. 

Students who elect to work in a second language pair therefore take two additional classes plus at least one additional translation practice exam (more are optional). 

Examination

After successfully completing the required credits, students may request to take the examination, typically offered at the end of spring semester. In consultation with appropriate faculty, the TRIP director establishes each student's examination committee. The examination includes sections on both theory and practice.

For the translation practice examination, students choose the genre (literary or non-literary) and the language combination involved. To pass this in-person, proctored examination (or two translation practice exams if the student has selected more than one language combination), students are expected to show that they can translate at a professional level, in line with the American Translators Association standards for translator certification, which means they can produce publishable translations without faculty supervision. Consideration is primarily given to accuracy (faithfulness to the source text; precision; no omissions or mistranslations) and secondarily to fluency (readability; coherence; raising no questions for the reader).

The theory examination is a 72-hour take-home examination. Students answer a question on translation theory, as well as a question on copyright issues pertaining to translation.

To pass, students must obtain a grade of B+ or higher on the theory and copyright exams, and a grade of A- or higher on the translation practice exam. Each section of the examination may be taken twice.

Certification

When students have fulfilled the course requirements and successfully passed the examinations, they are eligible to receive a certificate of translator proficiency, specifying the language combination(s) and subject area(s).

Master of Arts (MA) in Translation

The MA in Translation requires 32 credits that can be completed in three or four semesters of full-time study and prepares students for careers as professional translators with companies or as freelancers or for further graduate study at the doctoral level. 

Driven by the ever-greater reliance of business, industry, and governments on translation, the demand for professionals with strong translation skills is now higher than ever. Well-trained translators are employed in a wide spectrum of positions, both with translation companies and as direct hires in a wide-variety of industries. Students who complete the MA in Translation are well-prepared to fill this growing need.

The master’s program offers individualized tracks to accommodate a variety of backgrounds. Students develop a solid experience in the practice of translation, from literary genres to real-world applications to deep dives into specialized areas of translation, such as arts, medical, and financial translation. Real world opportunities exist for those who opt for an internship. Everyone receives a foundational knowledge in translation studies theories and considers how theory informs their practice.  

Our program is built around the workshop model for learning translation. All graduate students take small group workshops each semester to build professional translation skills and gain the broad knowledge necessary to manage a variety of translation jobs and to specialize in one or more chosen areas. 

The curriculum also includes elective coursework in the following areas:

  • History and traditions of translation studies
  • Comparative Literature
  • Cultural and Postcolonial Studies
  • Gender and Race Studies
  • National literatures and major figures
  • Philosophy
  • Pedagogy

Along with translation and translation studies, our faculty specialize in areas such as linguistics, literature, race and gender theory, and area studies for languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Japanese and Spanish. 

Admission

Students pursuing the MA in Translation must follow the standard Graduate School matriculation procedures.

Admission decisions are made by the TRIP Director, in consultation with the advisory committee and any other faculty member whose expertise seems appropriate for the applicant. 

Graduate applicants submit the following: 

  • Transcripts demonstrating a completed bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 or higher GPA (or its equivalent); 
  • Standard exam scores, if relevant (the GRE is optional); 
  • Two writing samples, one in each language, one of which can be non-academic (minimum of 2 pages each in 12 point font, one-inch margins);
  • Two letters of recommendation;
  • Personal statement that declares your languages and discusses your language proficiency, particularly in regard to reading:

Graduate applicants’ materials should demonstrate the following background:

  • Near-native fluency in English, as well as (and especially) the ability to write academic texts in English, as demonstrated by TOEFL scores (95+)
    A waiver for the proof of English proficiency requirement is available to applicants who meet one the following eligibility criteria:
    • Have received a graduate-level degree from an accredited institution in the United States, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Gambia, Tanzania, and some Canadian provinces.
      Have completed at least two years of full-time study at an accredited institution in the United States, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Gambia, Tanzania, and some Canadian provinces.
    • Are a current ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ student.
  • Near-native fluency in a second language;
  • Optionally, but desirable: a good reading knowledge of a third language, meaning the applicant can read reliably with a dictionary;
  • Previous immersion in a culture where the second language is spoken;
  • Background coursework in translation studies is desirable but not required.

MA Requirements

Program of Courses (Required Core Curriculum)

  • Translation Practice
    • TRIP 572: Translation Workshop: Literary - (4 credits)
    • TRIP 573: Translation Workshop: Non-Literary - (4 credits)
    • TRIP 561: Computer-Assisted Translation (4 credits)
  • Translation Theory
    • TRIP 560: Intro to Translation Studies - (4 credits)

Workshop and Disciplinary Electives - (16 credits)

The Translation Research and Instruction Program offers additional workshops for translator training and translation studies topics courses that include:

  • TRIP 595: MA Summative Project (1-4 credits)
  • TRIP 574: Medical Translation (2 credits)
  • TRIP 575: Financial Translation (2 credits)
  • TRIP 576: Arts & Theater Translation (2 credits)
  • TRIP 563: Project Management in Translation (4 credits)
  • TRIP 564: Culture and Translation (4 credits)
  • TRIP 580E: Translation and Creativity (4 credits)
  • TRIP 580P: Taboos in Translation (4 credits)
  • TRIP 580V: Contact Linguistics (4 credits)

Depending on their interests, students may choose electives from a variety of courses in other academic departments, encompassing disciplines such as:

  • Criticism and textual analysis (e.g., Comparative Literature, Philosophy)
  • Cultural studies (e.g., Anthropology, Sociology, area-specific studies)
  • World languages and literatures
  • Technical fields (e.g., business or the sciences)
  • Pedagogy (education and language departments)

Total Credits Required  -  (32 credits)

Residency Requirement: Students are expected to be in residence for at least twenty-four (24) credits of their formal course work, which will usually take between three semesters and two academic years.

Internship or Translation Project

For their culminating project, students may choose between an internship or a translation project. 

In consultation with TRIP, students may secure a practical translation internship opportunity during a given semester. The credits earned will depend on the weekly time commitment. The internship is overseen by a faculty member, whose level of guidance will vary depending on their role. Some internships will be overseen by a faculty member in the form of a professional translation project, such as for a law firm or placements at local or regional agencies. TRIP maintains contacts for potential internships; however, students are ultimately responsible for coordinating their internship directly with a given person or agency. The credits will range from one to four, depending on the weekly time commitment for the internship. 

Students who complete a Translation Project will work with a faculty member, who will select a literary or non-literary text of approximately 7,000 words. The translation will include translator’s notes and annotations and is an open-book, take-home assignment. The total submission will range from 15-30 pages. The translation project will constitute a four-credit course. 

For both the Internship and Translation Project, students take TRIP 595 for one semester.

TRIP Internship and Translation Project hours-to-credit scale: 

Credits Hours
1 50
2 100
3 150
4 200

PhD in Translation Studies

The doctoral program is primarily designed to prepare its graduates for careers in both the academic field and scholarly research, including research-informed translation. It offers individualized interdisciplinary tracks to accommodate a variety of backgrounds. The doctoral program offers the following features:

  • Inclusive curriculum comprising, but not limited to, history and traditions of translation studies, literary studies, cultural and postcolonial studies and philosophy;
  • Individualized interdisciplinary tracks, with the option to take courses in other academic departments; and
  • Learner-centered atmosphere through discussion seminars and independent studies, to make learning an enriching exchange among students and faculty. 

Admission

Students pursuing the PhD in translation studies must follow the standard Graduate School matriculation procedures.

Admission decisions are made by the TRIP director in consultation with the advisory committee and any other faculty member whose expertise seems appropriate for the applicant. 

Graduate applicants should demonstrate the following background, as attested by transcripts, standard exam scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement and a writing sample.

  1. Near-native fluency in English, as well as (and especially) the ability to write academic texts in English, as demonstrated by high GREs (310+) (GMAT or LSAT will be accepted in place of the GRE), and high TOEFL scores (100+);
  2. Near-native fluency in a second language;
  3. Optionally, but desirable: a good reading knowledge of a third language, meaning the applicant can read reliably with a dictionary;
  4. Previous immersion in a culture where the second language is spoken;
  5. A master's degree in a relevant area; applicants with no graduate course work in languages should also be prepared for a diagnostic examination during the application process.
  6. Background in translation studies; applicants who do not have a documented background in translation studies, or who do not have any formal certification in translation, may be provisionally admitted; full admission will be granted after passing the certificate examination.

Note: The translation studies doctorate is part of the Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP), and is not managed by the Department of Comparative Literature. Direct any questions about the doctorate to TRIP.

Program of Courses

Required Core Curriculum Credits

Translation Practice:

  • TRIP 572 Translation Workshop*: Literary
  • TRIP 573 Translation Workshop*: Non-Literary

4

4

Translation Theory:

  • TRIP 560 Intro to Translation Studies
  • TRIP 562 Scholarly Methods in Translation

4

4
Allied and Disciplinary Electives** 20
Dissertation Credits
TRIP 698 Pre-Dissertation Research 1+
TRIP 699 Dissertation 1+
Total Credits Required (without a previous master's degree in a related field) 48
Total Credits Required (with a previous master's degree in a related field) 36

* Students who present workshop credits from ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ or elsewhere may petition to have the required workshop courses waived. However, if a waiver is granted, these credits must still be fulfilled with other relevant classes

**Depending on their interests, students will be able to choose electives from a variety of courses in other academic departments, encompassing disciplines such as:

  • Criticism and textual analysis (e.g., Comparative Literature, Philosophy)
  • Cultural studies (e.g., Anthropology, Sociology, area-specific studies)
  • World languages and literatures
  • Technical fields (e.g., business or the sciences, for those specializing in non-literary translation)
  • Pedagogy (education and language departments)

Note: The total number of credits required should remain the same, even when students are exempted from taking workshop classes (TRIP 572 and TRIP 573).

Residency Requirement

Students are expected to be in residence during their formal coursework, which will usually take two academic years. It is also advisable that they stay in residence during the subsequent requirements described below.

Advanced Studies

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of four parts, detailed below: a dissertation prospectus, two written take-home exams and an oral examination. Students need to form an exam committee consisting of an academic advisor (who will usually serve as their dissertation director — the chair of the committee — and who supervises the dissertation prospectus) and two additional faculty members from ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, whose work is relevant to their project, each of whom will be responsible for one of the written take-home exams.

  1. Dissertation Prospectus. This is a longer paper (approximately 30-50 pages) devoted to a theoretical issue or sub-area explicitly related to translation studies, which will help students establish the direction of their dissertations. It should involve substantial scholarship and show that students are familiar with the current bibliography on the topic selected and are able to articulate their arguments in an academically acceptable format. The paper serves as a dissertation proposal in that it defines the areas that the student will be focusing on for their research.
  2. Main Area of Concentration. Students are required to define an area and build a reading list with one of their committee members that reflects students' main interests in the field. Suitable topics might be, for example, translation pedagogy, political aspects of translation theory, translation and ethics, linguistic approaches to translation, translation criticism or a focus on the literary works of a particular period/language. (This is a 72-hour take-home examination scheduled by the student.)
  3. Minor Field. This section of the exam focuses on a field that either complements or expands the student's main area of concentration. Thus, if a student's main area of concentration is, for example, translation pedagogy, the minor field might be contemporary approaches to education or the training of translators in medieval Spain. Students will build a reading list for this field with one of their committee members that reflects the student's main interests in the field. (This is a 72-hour take-home examination scheduled by the student.)
  4. Oral Examination. This final component of the comprehensive exam involves all committee examiners and requires the student to explain choices made in each written exam, including the prospectus.

In order to pass their PhD comprehensive examination, students must achieve a grade of B+ or better on each part. At the discretion of the examiners and in consultation with the graduate advisor, a student who has failed to achieve this standard may retake the part (or those parts) in which the grade was below B+ once. All exam procedures and evaluations follow the Graduate School Manual.

Dissertation

The dissertation is an original research project, which may consist of a case study, an annotated translation, a speculative essay, a literature survey or some other form approved by the student's committee, presented and defended in a public form. The dissertation should be at least 200 pages, not including bibliography and appendices. If students choose to include a translation as a part of dissertation, their theory-guided analysis of the translation must comprise at least one-quarter, or 50 pages, of the total dissertation.

List of Faculty

This program draws faculty from across multiple departments. For a list of faculty, see the program's website.