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College of Arts and Sciences | Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies

Translation

Course Delivery
100% online
Total Credits
36
Completion Time
Graduate in as few as 2 years
Dual Degree
Earn your M.A. and MBA at the same time

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, government and any globalizing industry.

The Translation major comprises the following concentrations:

  • The Language concentration provides students with an in-depth focus on one language.
  • The Technology and Multilingual Communication concentration allows students to specialize in such areas as global security, emerging media, international business and user experience.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. 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.
  2. Engage in effective research and information retrieval for a variety of language industry-relevant tasks.
  3. 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.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical considerations in various project scenarios.
  5. Successfully communicate and mediate communication across languages and cultures in multilingual, multicultural contexts.
  6. Apply theory to inform and justify their decision making.
  7. Critically reflect on their work and that of others.

Graduates of the Language concentration will be able to:

  1. Translate authentic, industry-relevant content, both general and domain-specific, using appropriate tools and approaches.

Graduates of the Technology and Multilingual Communication concentration will be able to:

  1. Emerging media specialization: Utilize emerging media and technology tools for localization purposes, including machine translation, artificial intelligence-driven localization and virtual reality simulations.
  2. Global security specialization: Utilize translation techniques and security strategies to address real-world challenges in international contexts, effectively bridging language barriers and enhancing global security measures.
  3. International business specialization: Apply localization techniques and international business principles to develop market-specific strategies for global expansion; consider linguistic, cultural and economic factors; and prepare to lead multinational teams and navigate complex global markets with confidence — leveraging localization expertise and international business acumen to drive organizational growth and success.
  4. Multidisciplinary approaches specialization: Synthesize at least two of the other specialization outcomes toward their specific career goals.
  5. Technology specialization: Acquire advanced technical skills in translation technology, including proficiency in computer-assisted translation tools, machine translation systems and localization software.
  6. User experience specialization: Apply localization strategies and user experience design principles to create user-centric products and services tailored to diverse cultural and linguistic contexts.

Program Structure

36 minimum total credit hours: 13 credits (5) TRST major requirement courses, 6-11 credits major electives or second concentration, 3-6 credits (1-2) TRST culminating experience internship, capstone or thesis courses, 11 credits (4) concentration courses

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 (one to two pages)
  • MP3/WAV file with a five-minute oral sample in English (conversational, not read from a script)
  • Writing sample (10 pages) in English, 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 - international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
  • Applicants to the Language concentration only:
    • CD or MP3/WAV file with a five-minute oral sample in the language in which the applicant intends to concentrate (conversational, not read from a script)
    • Writing sample(s) in in the language in which the applicant intends to concentrate, which should be accompanied by a signed declaration that the sample is original work and that the applicant received no help in its preparation

1International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Important Dates

Aug
18
Classes Begin
Fall 2025 Semester
Jan
12
Classes Begin
Spring 2026 Semester
May
11
Classes Begin
Summer 2026 Semester
Aug
24
Classes Begin
Fall 2026 Semester

Program Courses

Program Requirements

Major Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Major Requirements
TRST 60009 INTRODUCTION TO TRANSLATION TECHNOLOGY 3
TRST 60010 THEORY OF TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING 2
TRST 60011 TERMINOLOGY AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN TRANSLATION 3
TRST 60100 PRACTICE OF TRANSLATION 2
TRST 60630 CAREER PATHS IN THE LANGUAGE INDUSTRY 3
Major Electives, choose from the following: 1 12-15
MCLS 50510
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING
Concentrations
Choose from the following: 9-12
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 37

1Students admitted to the Language concentration will complete 15 credit hours of electives. Students admitted to the Technology and Multilingual Communication concentration will complete 12 credit hours of electives.

2Maximum 3 credit hours each of TRST 60092 and TRST 60098 may be applied toward the degree.

Language Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
TRST 60040 LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION 3
Language Electives, choose two courses in the same language from the following: 6
Arabic Language
ARAB 67091
SEMINAR IN ARABIC TRANSLATION
ARAB 67250
COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION
ARAB 67251
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION
French Language
FR 63091
SEMINAR IN FRENCH TRANSLATION
FR 63250
COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION
FR 63251
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION
German Language
GER 61091
SEMINAR IN GERMAN TRANSLATION
GER 61250
COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION
GER 61251
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION
Japanese Language
JAPN 65250
COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION
JAPN 65251
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION
Russian Language
RUSS 62091
SEMINAR IN RUSSIAN TRANSLATION
RUSS 62250
COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION
RUSS 62251
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION
Spanish Language
SPAN 68091
SEMINAR IN SPANISH TRANSLATION
SPAN 68250
COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TRANSLATION
SPAN 68251
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL TRANSLATION
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 9
Technology and Multilingual Communication Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 1 12
Emerging Media Specialization
EMAT 51000
RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
EMAT 52210
WEB APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
EMAT 60010
FOUNDATIONS OF EMERGING MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
EMAT 60310
CREATIVE CODING FUNDAMENTALS
EMAT 62110
INTERACTIVE DATA
EMAT 60999
PROJECTS IN EMERGING MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Global Security Specialization
CRIM 56800
INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY
CRIM 56801
HOMELAND SECURITY
CRIM 56802
TERRORISM AND COUNTERTERRORISM
CRIM 56803
INFORMATION AND CYBER SECURITY
International Business Specialization
CIS 64042
GLOBALIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY
MGMT 64184
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
MGMT 64275
GLOBAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
MKTG 65054
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
Multidisciplinary Approaches Specialization
Courses from any of the specializations
Technology Specialization
BA 64060
FUNDAMENTALS OF MACHINE LEARNING
CS 61002
ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING I
CS 61003
ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING II
MCLS 50510
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING
User Experience Specialization
UX 60501
INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE
UX 60502
USER EXPERIENCE PROCESSES AND PRACTICE
UX 60503
FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERACTION DESIGN
UX 60511
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE FUNDAMENTALS
UX 60521
DATA-DRIVEN INTERACTION FUNDAMENTALS
UX 60541
USER EXPERIENCE EVALUATION FUNDAMENTALS
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12

1Students will select a specialization with prior approval from the graduate coordinator or from an advisor. Courses listed under the specializations are recommended, not required. Students completing fewer than 12 credit hours for their specialization will complete additional electives to meet the required 37 credit hours for the degree.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Summary
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.

Careers

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
  • 5.7% faster than the average
  • 30,600 number of jobs
  • $69,920 potential earnings
Interpreters and translators
  • 20.0% much faster than the average
  • 77,400 number of jobs
  • $52,330 potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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Related Reading from the Kent State Online Blog

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Kent State University is the only institution in the U.S. to offer degrees in translation at all three levels - Bachelor of Science (on-campus), Master of Arts in Translation (Online), and Ph.D. in Translation Studies (on-campus). These programs are run through the Institute of Applied Linguistics.1

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