The application cycle for graduate programs across the U.S. is about to start. Applying to any program is a daunting task, whether it be a certificate program or a PhD.
The first thing that one has to decide when researching translation programs is what kind of program one wants to apply to. You need to ask yourself first and foremost what kind of translator you want to be: a general translator or a translator with specific credentials (medical, court, literary, conference, etc.). While a plethora of general translation certificates exist, the options telescope when a category like medical or literary translation is added into the mix.
A master’s degree or PhD in translation or translation studies generally refers to a comprehensive, general translation program. These programs are interdisciplinary and allow students to dabble in historical, literary, and scientific areas while at the same time grounding the students in general translation skills.
A more specific kind of translation program, however, is the literary translation degree. Typically awarded as a Masters of Fine Arts degree in the United States, only a handful of these programs exist. MFA programs in literary translation offer training in the theory and practice of literary translation.
Most court, medical, and conference translation programs are awarded at the certificate level. There are some exceptions to the rule, of course, but generally these types of studies are limited to professional or graduate level certification. Read more.
See: Beyond Words
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