Translation
Kent State’s online Master of Arts in Translation prepares students for professional roles in translation across various languages and industries. This program covers translation theory, language technology, and specialized translation fields, providing students with both practical skills and cultural knowledge. Ideal for those aiming to work in global communications, localization, or international business, graduates gain expertise to bridge language barriers effectively.
Master of Arts in Translation Program Overview
The Master of Arts degree in Translation prepares students for careers in translation, language project management, international business and government.
The Translation major comprises the following concentrations:
- Arabic
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Russian
- Spanish
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Translate authentic, industry-relevant content, both general and domain-specific, using appropriate tools and approaches.
- Define and describe the roles and responsibilities of various language industry stakeholders and various forms of language service provision, and demonstrate an understanding of the basics of entrepreneurship and translation as a business.
- Engage in effective research and information retrieval for a variety of language industry-relevant tasks.
- Utilize a range of computer-assisted technologies, including machine translation, for language industry-relevant tasks; and demonstrate an understanding of the place, benefits and limitations of those technologies in a given project scenario.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical considerations in various project scenarios.
- Successfully communicate and mediate communication across languages and cultures in multilingual, multicultural contexts.
- Apply theory to inform and justify their decision making.
- Critically reflect on their work and that of others.
Dual Degree - MBA/MA Translation
Students can complete a dual degree program with an M.A. in Translation and an M.B.A. in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program.
The Dual Degree with an M.B.A. degree in Business Administration and the M.A. degree in Translation is for students with sufficient proficiency in a foreign language who wish to integrate a graduate business education with advanced translation training. This program suits those whose career goals include assuming middle or executive management positions in international business or language industry enterprises or those interested in starting their own business in the language services industry.
Master of Arts in Translation Program Admissions Requirements
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal statement
- A CD or MP3/wav file with a five-minute oral sample in the applicant’s first and second languages (conversational, not read from a script)
- Writing sample(s) in applicant’s second language,1 which should be accompanied by a signed declaration that the sample is original work and that the applicant received no help in its preparation
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score
1International applicants should also submit a writing sample in English.
2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.
Important Dates
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| TRST 60001 | GRADUATE RESEARCH AND WRITING IN TRANSLATION STUDIES | 3 |
| TRST 60009 | DOCUMENTS IN MULTILINGUAL CONTEXTS | 2 |
| TRST 60010 | THEORY OF TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING | 2 |
| TRST 60011 | TERMINOLOGY AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN TRANSLATION | 3 |
| TRST 60012 | SOFTWARE LOCALIZATION | 3 |
| Major Electives or Second Concentration 1 | 6-11 | |
| Culminating Experience | ||
| Choose from the following: | 3-6 | |
| TRST 60092 | TRANSLATION INTERNSHIP | |
| TRST 60099 | CAPSTONE PROJECT IN TRANSLATION | |
| TRST 60199 | THESIS I 2 | |
| Concentrations | ||
| Choose from the following: | 11 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 36 | |
1Students may declare a second concentration or choose any graduate-level translation-related course in the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies or other departments as appropriate and with prior approval from the graduate coordinator or from an advisor.
2Students who select thesis for their culminating requirement must register for TRST 60199 for a total of 6 credit hours. Students who select either the capstone project or internship must take an additional major elective to meet the required 36 credit hours for the degree.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| ARAB 67010 | PRACTICE OF ARABIC TRANSLATION | 2 |
| ARAB 67240 | LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| ARAB 67250 | COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION | 3 |
| ARAB 67251 | SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 11 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| FR 63010 | THE PRACTICE OF FRENCH TRANSLATION | 2 |
| FR 63240 | LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| FR 63250 | COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION | 3 |
| FR 63251 | SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 11 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| GER 61010 | THE PRACTICE OF GERMAN TRANSLATION | 2 |
| GER 61240 | LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| GER 61250 | COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION | 3 |
| GER 61251 | SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 11 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| JAPN 65010 | THE PRACTICE OF JAPANESE TRANSLATION | 2 |
| JAPN 65240 | LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| JAPN 65250 | COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION | 3 |
| JAPN 65251 | SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 11 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| RUSS 62010 | THE PRACTICE OF RUSSIAN TRANSLATION | 2 |
| RUSS 62240 | LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| RUSS 62250 | COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION | 3 |
| RUSS 62251 | SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 11 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| SPAN 68010 | THE PRACTICE OF SPANISH TRANSLATION | 2 |
| SPAN 68240 | LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| SPAN 68250 | COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION | 3 |
| SPAN 68251 | SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 11 | |
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| - | 3.000 |
- No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
- Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Translation Master’s Degree Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $594.78 | $1,784.34 | $21,400 part-time1 $13,100 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $604.78 | $1,814.34 | $21,800 part-time3 $13,400 full-time4 |
1The $594.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester. This amount is calculated at student completing the program in 2 semesters.
3The $604.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 11-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken each semester (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180). This amount is calculated at students completing the program in 2 semesters plus the surcharge of $360.
The Software Localization course, TRST 60012, has a fee of $45. Students will not need to purchase any online software. They will be given access to a virtual machine with all the software needed.
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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