Community, Legal, and Medical Interpreter

Welcome to the Boston University Community, Legal, and Medical Interpreting certificate program. This field is one of the most interesting professions to emerge in the globalized workplace.

Our programs in community, legal, and medical interpreting are for multilingual professionals who are able to speak, read, and write English and Chinese, Portuguese, or Spanish fluently. Our students are part of cohort groups. We run classes for Portuguese and Spanish speakers starting in September. Classes for Chinese speakers run annually beginning in January.

We give you the attention you need to bring your linguistic competence in both languages up to professional levels. You also learn the computer skills needed to do coursework, search the Internet, and undertake written translations. As the courses progress, you will learn the technical vocabulary and professional ethics needed to work in settings where an interpreter is required, and most importantly, the techniques you will need to perform the various types of interpretation competently.

Our students enter a program designed to build upon basic skills. Each course develops an individual's skills. Although we price each course individually, the program is intended to be taken as a complete series of courses, and it is not designed to be taken as individual units.

Classes meet on Saturdays starting at 9:00 am for four to five hours.

Steps to Registering for the Community, Legal, and Medical Interpreter Program

1. To enroll in the interpreting certificate programs: Download and mail or fax the completed application form. Potential students will be charged a $50 application fee, which must be paid before the first test is administered.
   
   
2. Make an appointment for an audio screening at our 1010 Commonwealth Avenue facility (tel. 1-866-633-9370 or 617-353-4497). Appointments are available Monday – Friday between 9:00 and 4:00. The audio screening consists of listening to short statements in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Chinese and shadowing (speaking) the same text into a tape. There is no translation, interpretation, or memorization required for this test.  Testing for the Chinese program will begin in September for the January classes.
   
   
3. Upon passing the audio screening, candidates will be invited to participate in a written and oral interpretation exam. Exams are held on Boston University's Charles River Campus at 890 Commonwealth Avenue in the evening, usually once a month. The final testing date is usually two weeks prior to the start of the first class.
   
   
4. Once a candidate has successfully completed all the language testing, he/she may register for the Interpreter Program. Registration should be completed at least one week prior to the start of the first class. Registered students are invited to an orientation program prior to the start of first class.

Certificate Programs
Community Interpreting	Learn more about our Community Interpreting Certificate Program. Learn more.
Legal Interpreting	Learn more about our Legal Interpreting Certificate Program. Learn more.
Medical Interpreting	Learn more about our Medical Interpreting Certificate Program. Learn more.

Download the Interpreting brochure.
Download instructor information to learn more about our faculty.

Schedule of Classes
Class schedule for Fall 2008 Cohort
Class schedule for January 2008 Cohort
Class schedule for Fall 2007 Cohort

Take advantage of an Internship
Graduates, take part in our new Interpreting Internship Program. Learn more.

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