This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

The certificate program prepares advanced Spanish students for further study, national certification exams and/or future employment in these growing fields. The program combines theoretical and applied course work with applied practice in the community, allowing students to hone their skills in a specialization of their choice or to apply for the certificate in general translation and interpretation. Students with advanced-level Spanish and English skills who are concentrating in liberal arts or professional programs as well as other majors are encouraged to apply.

Admission to the certificate program requires completion of SETI 400 with a minimum grade of B or a score of “advanced” on the Avant STAMP assessment test.

Students may earn this certificate concurrently with a baccalaureate degree in another undergraduate program at the university, or may earn the certificate independently from another degree, provided they have a baccalaureate degree from any institution. The six-course sequence focuses on the knowledge and skills needed for translation and interpretation in any field, including translation theory and praxis, research methods, computer-assisted translation tools, industry standards, simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and sight translation. Students in specialized interpretation courses (legal and medical) receive further instruction in terminology related to their areas of interest. The internship requires 120 clock hours of work including translation and/or interpretation practice.

This certificate program requires 18 credits as shown below and successful completion of a comprehensive exit assessment. 

Course Title Hours
Required courses
SETI 410Introduction to Spanish-English Translation (Pre-requisites)3
SETI 411Intermediate Translation3
SETI 420Introduction to Spanish-English Interpretation3
SETI 493SETI Internship3
Electives
Select two courses from the list below.6
Intermediate Interpretation
Legal Interpretation
Medical Interpretation
Topics in Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation
Total Hours18

The minimum number of credit hours required for this certificate is 18.

For more information, contact the School of World Studies Advising Office at (804) 827-1111.