GCPS in Consecutive Interpreting
Department of Communication
College of Arts and Humanities

The Graduate Certificate of Professional Studies in Consecutive Interpreting (GCPS in Consecutive Interpreting) is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required for entry-level work in the interpreting profession. Examples include serving as dialogue interpreters for non-specialized content in community, health, legal, and political settings. You will begin to develop high-level skills in consecutive interpreting (oral rendering after the speaker pauses) and will be grounded in the tenets of the profession, including professional conduct and ethics, as you are guided through the steps needed to advance your professional skill set.

Instruction for the 21-credit GCPS in Consecutive Interpreting includes training in the fundamental skills of consecutive interpreting, in interpreting studies, the interpreting profession, and intercultural communication in at least one of the following communication contexts: political communication, legal communication, or health communication. You will learn to use different modes of interpreting and interpreting equipment as well as how to interact with colleagues and clients, negotiate contracts, and gain awareness of ethical business practices. You will also improve your ability to perform successfully as a team member and cultivate the skills for taking entry-level tests of interpreting in political, legal, business, health, and educational domains.

Certificate students who successfully complete the GCPS in Consecutive Interpreting and wish to pursue the Master of Professional Studies in Interpreting (with two tracks: Conference Interpreting or Public Service Interpreting) must first submit an application for the MPS in Interpreting. GCPS students must pay the graduate application fee but do not need to re-submit official transcripts, materials for the Application Supplementary Form (ASF), nor retake the Program Admissions Tests if applying within a five year period of GCPS completion. GCPS students must also take the MPS in Interpreting Entry Tests for Degree Track Specialization.

• For complete information on the MPS in Interpreting, click here.

Program Director and Advisor

Interested students are encouraged to consult with Dr. David B. Sawyer, Director, Graduate Studies in Interpreting and Translation, e-mail: dbsawyer@umd.edu.