Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English), Associate in Arts

The Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English) AA degree program provides proper bilingual skills training. Students learn about careers that employ bilingual skills and how to provide interpreting and translating services for a variety of industries including business, medical, education, and government. Bilingual employment requires language proficiency in both Spanish and English (written and verbal), knowledge of industry terminology, technology skills for in-person and remote services, customer service skills, and an understanding of cultural and social communication. 

Demand for qualified translators and interpreters is strong in California. The Translation and Interpretation (Spanish/English) AA degree covers the theories, techniques, and practices of translating and interpreting. Students focus on comprehension of source language texts and accurate expression of content and style in translations. Students learn strategies, techniques, and challenges faced in the translation and interpretation process.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Translate texts from English to Spanish, and from Spanish to English, and identify grammatical differences between English and Spanish.
  • Apply the appropriate use of translation and interpreting in various settings and understand and identify the responsibilities of interpreters and translators related to conduct, civic duties, and code of ethics.
  • Identify career opportunities in the fields of Translation, Interpretation and Localization, and the requirements to succeed in these and related careers.
  • Use the two languages, English and Spanish, to investigate the relationship between the products a culture produces, the practices a culture manifests, and the perspectives that underlie them.
  • Explain localization and the translation profession with a philosophical understanding of the fact that the English language and the Anglo culture are not the only standards of meaning and value in the United States and the world.
  • Describe the importance of the role of localization in linguistic and cultural retention as opposed to linguistic discrimination, assimilation, and oppression.
  • Develop an understanding of different global and local manifestations of language and culture as completely valid; understand the basics of linguistic rights, the importance of retaining unique cultural markers of language, and learn to discern linguistic and cultural complexities of language in context.

 CORE COURSES:

Required Core
SPAN 15Spanish-English Linguistic Analysis4
SPAN 31Intro to Translation and Interpretation: Spanish/English4
SPAN 32Medical Interpretation English-Spanish4
SPAN 34Spanish-English Consecutive Interpreting4
SPAN 36English-Spanish Sight Translation3
Select two courses from the following list: 8-9
Spanish Conversation for the Health Professions I
Spanish Conversation for the Health Professions II
Medical Interpretation English-Spanish II
Introduction to Website and App Translation and Localization
Hispanic and Latino/a Culture
Select one course from the following list:3-4
Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World
Spanish for the Professions
Spanish Through Film
Spanish Composition and Conversation
Intermediate Spanish Conversation I
Intermediate Spanish Conversation II
Intermediate Spanish Conversation III
Intermediate Spanish Conversation IV
TOTAL MAJOR UNITS30-32
Additional Requirements 28-30
Complete Competency Requirements, general education pattern (MPC General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC), and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 degree-applicable units.
Total Units60

Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.  
 

The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallUnits
ENGL 1A
College Composition
or College Composition: Enhanced
3
LIBR 50 Introduction to Library and Research Skills 1
MPC GE Area A2 (MATH 10 or MATH 16 Recommended) 4
SPAN 31 Intro to Translation and Interpretation: Spanish/English 4
SPAN 5
Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World
or Spanish for the Professions
or Spanish Through Film
or Spanish Composition and Conversation
or Intermediate Spanish Conversation I
or Intermediate Spanish Conversation II
or Intermediate Spanish Conversation III
or Intermediate Spanish Conversation IV
3-4
 Units15-16
Spring
SPAN 15 Spanish-English Linguistic Analysis 4
SPAN 36 English-Spanish Sight Translation 3
MPC GE Area B and Lab 4
MPC GE Area D (HIST 20 Recommended) 3
Elective 1
 Units15
Year 2
Fall
SPAN 32 Medical Interpretation English-Spanish 4
SPAN 11
Spanish Conversation for the Health Professions I
or Spanish Conversation for the Health Professions II
or Medical Interpretation English-Spanish II
or Introduction to Website and App Translation and Localization
or Hispanic and Latino/a Culture
4
MPC GE Area F (ETNC 18 Recommended) 3
Electives 4
 Units15
Spring
SPAN 34 Spanish-English Consecutive Interpreting 4
SPAN 11
Spanish Conversation for the Health Professions I
or Spanish Conversation for the Health Professions II
or Medical Interpretation English-Spanish II
or Introduction to Website and App Translation and Localization
or Hispanic and Latino/a Culture
4-5
Electives 1 7
 Units15-16
 Total Units60-62
1

Elective units may not be needed. Please see a counselor for details.