Interpretation & Translation, Judiciary Interpretation/Translation Concentration, AAS

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The Interpretation & Translation program prepares functionally bilingual students for entry-level employment in the rapidly expanding language Interpretation & Translation field or for transfer to a four-year degree program in translation/interpretation studies, world languages or applied linguistics. At the completion of the program, students will be able to provide basic interpreting and translation service between English and their other language(s) in general contexts, as well as in at least one specialty area: healthcare or judicial. The program is designed for students who wish to add interpretation & translation skills to their current set of job skills, as well as those students who wish to prepare themselves for the certification exams and further academic studies that are necessary to become professional interpreters and translators.

Students in the program complete general education core requirements, required general courses in interpretation/translation and one of the following concentrations in interpretation/translation: healthcare or judicial. All students complete an internship under the supervision of a professional interpreter/translator, during which they use the skills and apply the knowledge gained in the classroom. Students who have finished the Judiciary Interpretation & Translation AAS degree can enroll in a second AAS degree in Healthcare Interpretation & Translation program .

A program chairperson and a program counselor are available to assist students with educational and career planning. All of the Interpretation & Translation courses are offered online.

Graduates of the Interpretation & Translation program may find employment in the courts, law enforcement agencies, healthcare institutions, social services agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and businesses. The program also prepares students for certification exams or for further studies in the field.

For more information about the Interpretation & Translation program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/itr.

Program Details

Location: Online through the Urban Campus

Starts Fall semester of ODD-NUMBERED YEARS

Close contact with an academic advisor is strongly recommended for planning, because many courses are only offered once every two years. Students in the Judiciary ITR AAS programs start in the Fall semester of ODD-NUMBERED years; students in the Healthcare ITR AAS programs start in the Fall semester of EVEN-NUMBERED years.

Program Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirement.
Complete the ITR online program information orientation including the survey.
Provide evidence of proficiency in English with one of the following:
1. ACT score on the English subtest of 19 or above
2. A minimum ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills score of 82
3. Completion of ENG 105 with a grade of “C” or better
4. Other evidence demonstrating English proficiency may be approved by the program chairperson.

Graduation Requirements

To earn an Interpretation & Translation AAS degree, a student must complete the standard core requirements for the degree, plus the Interpretation & Translation required courses and options, maintain a 2.0 grade point average and receive a grade of “C” or above in all ITR coursework.

Semester 1

(Fall semester of Odd-Numbered Years)

ITR 101 - Intro Interpret & Translation Credits: 3
ITR 102 - Tools Interpret & Translate Credits: 3
SDV 108 - The College Experience Credits: 1
Any AAS degree core Communications course Credits: 3
Any AAS degree core Math or Science course Credits: 3

Semester 2

(Spring semester of Even-Numbered Years)

ITR 103 - Fund of Interpretation Credits: 3
ITR 104 - Fundamentals of Translation Credits: 3
Any AAS degree core Humanities course Credits: 3
Any AAS degree Distributed core course Credits: 4

Semester 3

(Summer Term of Even-Numbered Years)

ITR 109 - Interp/Trans Ethics I Credits: 3
ITR 910 - Emphasis Seminar Credits: 3

Semester 4

(Fall semester of Even-Numbered Years)

ITR 291 - Judiciary Term & Sight Trans Credits: 3
ITR 293 - Judiciary Interpretation I Credits: 3
Any AAS degree Distributed core course Credits: 7

Semester 5

(Spring semester of Odd-Numbered Years)

ITR 294 - Judiciary Interpretation II Credits: 3
ITR 297 - Judiciary Translation Credits: 3
Any AAS degree Distributed core course Credits: 7

Semester 6

(Summer term of Odd-Numbered Years)

ITR 209 - Interp/Trans Ethics II Credits: 3
ITR 891 - Judiciary I/T Internship Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for the Judiciary Concentration - 64

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$156.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

Costs	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Semester 5	Semester 6
Books (approximate)	100	300	100	200	200	100
Supplies	100	50	50	50	50	50
Equipment (recorder, flash drive)	60

Approximate total for the program: $11,394**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Provide interpretation and translation services in judiciary/law enforcement settings.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Communicate effectively in English and your other language, at the college level, both verbally and in writing.
Understand the basic concepts of the emphasis area fields and be able to interpret and translate them accurately between English and your other language.
Know the code of professional conduct for interpreters/translators in your emphasis area in order to act ethically in all professional settings.
Be able to accurately self-assess your ability to handle assignments and act accordingly.
Demonstrate strong reading skills in both languages.
Demonstrate strong writing skills in both languages.
Apply critical thinking skills to complex settings in your emphasis area.
Be able to analyze and synthesize source texts.
Be able to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
Display self-discipline and emotional stamina under stress.
Process interpersonal communication skills in both languages.
Be able to maintain professional impartiality.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?

Advancement in the field may require further academic training and/or certification.
This program requires that you already be functionally bilingual in English and your other language(s); therefore, you may need to improve your English or your other language(s) before you can enter or continue in the program.[MP1]
Employment as a professional interpreter/translator usually requires a criminal background check. A felony conviction is usually a bar to service as a judiciary interpreter/translator. Some types of criminal adjudications may be a bar to service as an interpreter/translator in the education, healthcare or human services areas. Some jurisdictions require interpreters in certain areas (education, health care, human services) to be mandatory reporters of child abuse and/or elder abuse.
Average starting salary $33,072 (2010-2011 Placement Report).

Program Competencies

This Program will..

Provide written translation of documents
Provide sight translation of documents
Provide consecutive interpreting services
Provide simultaneous interpreting services
Use the appropriate equipment and software for translation and interpreting tasks
Demonstrate knowledge and adherence to general and specialized codes of ethics for interpreters and translators
Prepare for taking a certification exam in area of specialization
Prepare for continuing studies in Interpretation & Translation at the undergraduate and/or continuing education level

Nondiscrimination Statement

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu. Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).₍₂₀₁₈₎