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: business, education, healthcare, human services 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: business, education, healthcare, human services 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. Interested applicants who hold a prior college degree may seek one of the following Certificates of Specialization: Interpretation & Translation-Generalist, Interpretation & Translation- Business, Interpretation & Translation-Education, Interpretation & Translation-Healthcare, Interpretation & Translation-Human Services or Interpretation & Translation-Judiciary. Students who have finished either the Interpretation & Translation AAS degree or one of the Interpretation & Translation certificates can enroll in a second or subsequent Interpretation & Translation certificate 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.

Location: Urban

Selected courses in this program may be offered at other campuses or through distance learning.

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 Business ITR, Human Services ITR and Judiciary ITR AAS programs start in the Fall semester of ODD-NUMBERED years; students in the Education ITR and 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 COMPASS writing score of 70
3. Completion of ENG 105 with a grade of “C” or better
4. TOEFL score of 173 on the computer test or 500 on the paper test
5. Completion of two years of college study with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (or equivalent) at an institution where English is the medium of instruction
6. Other evidence demonstrating English proficiency may be approved by the program chairperson
Show proficiency in a second language with one of the following:
1. Evidence of completion of high school in a country where the language is spoken
2. Two years of college study with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (or equivalent) at an institution in a country where the language is spoken
3. Completion of a college minor in the second language with a minimum grade of “C” for all courses taken in the second language
4. Proficiency may be demonstrated with other evidence, but must be approved by the program chairperson
Students will need computer skills to be successful in the program. If students do not have these skills, completion of CSC 110 or BCA 212 is strongly recommended.

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.

Required Courses

(Starts Fall semester of ODD-NUMBERED YEARS)

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 - Fundamentals of Interpretation Credits: 3
ITR 104 - Fundamentals of Translation Credits: 3
Any AAS degree core Humanities course Credits: 6-9
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……………………………………………………………………………………..$143.00 per credit

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

Varied 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: $10,562*

* 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).

Nondiscrimination Policy

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. 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. For information about the ADA, the Section 504/ADA Coordinator can be contacted at 515-964-6857. For Title IX questions and concerns contact 515-964-6850.