Program Start Dates:

You may apply to start the program in the fall, winter, spring, or summer terms.

Application Deadlines:

• Fall Term: September 1st
• Winter Term: December 10th
• Spring Term: March 10th
• Summer Term: June 1st

Detailed application requirements:

 Application materials required for WOU Graduate admission to the Interpreting Studies Certificate program:

• Transcripts
  • You can upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to complete your application for admission. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in time from all previous colleges. We will require an official transcript from the Colleges or Universities you have attended for formal admission.
  • Transcripts are used as Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived. Students with less than 3.0 can also provide passing GRE scores to be fully admitted.

• Current Resume
  • Save as a PDF with your first and last name in the title.
• Personal StatementPlease provide a PDF (1-2 pages) personal statement highlighting the following prompts:
  • • Your purpose in graduate study.
    • Your unique preparation and fitness for study in the field.
    • Your intended future use of your graduate study.
    • Why are you choosing Western Oregon University and a graduate program in interpreting studies?
• Writing Sample
  • The ability to express yourself in written English is an important part of a graduate program. Please provide evidence of your writing in the form of a short (2-5 page) essay or paper completed and graded in your most recent academic program.
• Recommendations
  • Provide at least three recommendations from consumers and/or colleagues that address your competence as an interpreter, your potential to teach/lead/mentor, and your ability to navigate meaning transfer between parties who do not use the same language.​​​​
• Pre-Screening Assessment
  • After submitting your program application, you will be prompted in your student status portal. Before beginning the pre-screening, you will need a computer with an embedded video camera for easy processing/uploading (or video camera, tripod) and a connection to broadband internet. This activity should not take more than 60 minutes including responding to the prompts, recording, rendering video, and uploading. Please respond, using your non-English language, “in the moment,” as you are thinking about the prompt. We seek your initial responses, not necessarily over-rehearsed/processed ones.

For the Reflective Practice and Teaching Certificates, the following items are required:

• Evidence of Interpreting Certification and/or Experience
  • Evidence of certification and/or experience interpreting and/or translating. Those without certification may be admitted via an alternative assessment.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
  • Evidence may include:
    • Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Continuing Education unit transcript
    • Documentation, transcripts, or certificates demonstrating privation in continuing education opportunities (e.g., units required to maintain certification)
    • Documentation of other professional development in the area of teaching, mentoring, leadership, and/or adult education is preferred.

Process: Applications will be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. Please refer to the Application Checklist in your Graduate Application Portal to confirm the status of your submitted materials. The Graduate Application Portal will also provide additional details about the checklist items for further clarification. You will be notified via email regarding changes in the status of your application or if you are missing any application components.

Interpreting Studies Certificate curriculum overview:

These certificates have been created to enhance a student’s interpreting profession both signed and spoke, via research, rigorous study, and practice.

Certificate Options:

1. Interpreting Studies: Educational Interpreting Certificate
2. Interpreting Studies: Professional Practice Certificate
3. Interpreting Studies: Research Certificate
4. Interpreting Studies: Reflective Certificate
5. Interpreting Studies: Teaching Interpreting Certificate

Your plan of study:

Once admitted to Interpreting Studies Certificate program, you will work with an advisor to plan the courses you will take and how you will complete the academic requirements of the certificate you choose.

*Students completing an endorsement, certificate, or specialization only are not eligible for federal financial aid.