Build bridges between cultures, worlds, & people.
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The MA in Translation and Interpreting prepares you to thrive in global careers in translation, interpreting, project management and more. With 15 language pairings supported and instruction from renown faculty and industry practitioners, the program combines rigorous academic training with hands-on experience in cutting-edge translation technologies and real-world work.
Whether you're aiming to connect cultures, support international organizations, or lead multilingual projects, this program will help you gain the skills and credentials that set you apart.
The standard application deadline is March 1.
Choose your path
Students in the Masters in Translation & Interpreting program may specialize in one of three areas: Interpreting, Literary Translation or Translation for the Professions. Choose the one that fits your interests and career goals!
Career possibilities
Alumni are in demand across many sectors from international business and law to medicine and social work to government and non-profit organizations. Graduates have landed jobs at Netflix, Amazon, the FBI, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, military agencies and more. With an MA in Translation and Interpreting from Illinois, your career possibilities are limitless.
Is the MA in Translation and Interpreting right for me?
In an increasingly interconnected world, translators and interpreters play a vital role in breaking down language barriers and fostering mutual understanding. From global health initiatives to diplomacy, media and more, the demand for language professionals continues to grow. These roles aren’t just about words – they’re about building bridges between cultures, communities and perspectives.
Skills. An MA in Translation and Interpreting equips you with both the intellectual foundation and the practical, tech-forward skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving language services industry. You'll gain advanced training in translation technologies, cross-cultural communication and subject-area expertise that will set you apart as a confident, agile and market-ready professional.
What skills will I gain?
- Mastery of translation and interpreting practices across various domains, such as literary, professional, and community settings.
- Enhanced abilities in working between language pairs, focusing on accurate and contextually appropriate translations.
- Deep understanding of cultural nuances to ensure effective cross-cultural communication.
- Development of skills to conduct research and manage specialized terminology relevant to various fields.
- Familiarity with computer-assisted translation tools and other technologies pertinent to modern translation and interpreting practices.
- Knowledge of the ethical considerations and professional standards governing translation and interpreting work.
Why Illinois?
Interdisciplinary expertise. Our core faculty members are active in the translation and interpreting field. Our affiliate faculty members offer expertise in a variety of research areas such as linguistics, literary and cultural studies, philosophy and ethics, religious studies, and computer science.
Networking. Learn alongside students with diverse perspectives and levels of experience. Students enroll from all parts of the globe, contributing to a rich learning environment.
Multilingual approach. With the assistance of our affiliate faculty members, core faculty guide translation and interpreting practice in several different languages, including all the official languages of the United Nations.
Malikah Gordon
This program provided me with ample opportunity and resources to apply my learning outcomes. The courses are engaging, practical, and challenging. Each professor I've had has also taken the time to share their personal experiences as a translator and/or interpreter, providing the class with a realistic outlook of the profession. What I've also found to be invaluable is the honest feedback I've received from both peers and professors and the practical experience I've gained.
Hebba Abulsaad
Through assignments, practice sessions, and evaluations, Translation & Interpreting helped me identify areas of improvement and refine my skills. Being part of the program provided opportunities for networking with fellow students, professors, and professionals in the field. The program also benefited me by enhancing my language proficiency, cultural competence, specialized knowledge, and professional skills, as well as providing support for continuous improvement in my career.
Koeun Lee
The program offered a flexible schedule, which was the most important for me to work and study both, and relatively manageable cost, and the faculty who had expertise in specific areas I wanted to explore. This program equipped me with theoretical insights to articulate the strengths and limitations of AI translation and the ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with colleagues who do not understand how interpreting and translation work.
Jordan Eason
Having the ability to do the program completely remote was definitely a motivating factor. Once I got into the program, I really enjoyed my instructors. I really think the level of professionalism they had was amazing. Also, the course variety was really good. I wish I could go back and take some of the courses I couldn’t squeeze into my schedule. I really enjoyed the literary focus I had and getting to work with people like Dr. Roman Ivashkiv and Dr. (Reynaldo) Pagura. We had really great in-depth lectures.