Foreign Language Interpreting (Certificate)

At a Glance

The Foreign Language Interpreting program prepares functionally-bilingual students to work as entry-level interpreters in health care and legal contexts. There is an urgent need for formal training in the Kansas City area for qualified foreign language interpreters, particularly in the judicial and health care settings.

Program Highlights

• Small class size. The class is limited to 28 students.
• One year certificate curriculum with two fall classes, two spring classes and an summer internship.
• Classes meet for eight weeks, two evenings a week for approximately 3 hours.
• The internship is under the supervision of a professional interpreter who will aid the student in using the skills and applying the knowledge gained from previous semesters.
• The MCC-Maple Woods program accommodates many languages by spending some class time on theoretical and practical topics relevant to all interpreting students.
• English is the language spoken in class during this part of class time.
• For the remainder of the course, students group into language pairs to practice their proficiency as interpreters.

Apply to the Program

1. Apply for admission: Submit an admissions application online to MCC.
2. Submit Official Transcripts: You must submit official transcripts from high school and any colleges. (Students with more than 15 college credits do not need to submit high school transcripts.) Send transcript materials to: Attn: Student Data Center Metropolitan Community College 3200 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64111.
3. Complete an application for the certificate program: Complete an application for our certificate program (PDF). Please email your completed application to chad.montuori@mcckc.edu or send to: MCC-Maple Woods Chad Montuori - Math Sciences 101B 2601 NE Barry Road Kansas City, MO 64156.
4. Successfully pass an oral proficiency exam: After receiving your application, we will contact you about taking the oral proficiency exam. Successfully pass an oral proficiency exam in your second language.

Student Testimonials

• "I think that this program, more than any other, turned me from just a bilingual person into a well-equipped and highly trained interpreter."
• "This program really opened my eyes to the difference between being bilingual and interpreting professionally. It takes a lot of hard work to interpret on a professional and quality level, but if you love language and helping people, then it is definitely worth it."
• "Great program. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in interpreting."
• "Fantastic teachers will prepare you for the field."
• "Instructors provide you with real-life experiences and knowledge."
• "Before I began MCC-Maple Woods Foreign Language Interpreting program, I was already working in the field of medical interpreting. This program enriched and widened my knowledge about the interpreting career in the medical and legal field. After completing this program, I feel more confident accepting assignments in the court system, social services, and education field."
• "My instructors were very well qualified and inspired me to continue to pursue this career which I have found rewarding and fulfilling."

Careers

• The job prospects for engineers are excellent, with many receiving multiple job offers before graduation and most students finding employment immediately after completing their bachelor's degree.
• Above average outlook for Interpreters and Translators in the healthcare field.

Related Programs

• Arts, Humanities, Language and Communications pathway
• English
• Foreign Language
• International Studies

  Contact Information

  Chad Montuori, Program Coordinator

  816.604.3394

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