Earn your BA in Translation
The Bachelor of Arts in Translation requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, including 33 semester hours of work for the major. A minimum of 21 semester hours for the major must be earned at the University of Iowa. Coursework in the major may not be taken pass/nonpass. Students must maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.
Students are encouraged to declare the major as early as possible, especially if they intend to pursue an additional major or minors. Active proficiency in a second language is required for the major; most students who successfully complete the major will need at least 6 semester hours of additional coursework beyond fourth-level proficiency in language study.
Students may count a maximum of 9 semester hours of coursework from another major, minor, or certificate toward the translation major. Students who earn a BA in Translation may not earn a Minor in Translation for Global Literacy.
The major in translation prepares students to translate from another language into English or vice versa in a variety of fields such as literary, legal, medical, or technical translation. All students should tailor their plan of study to their experience and objectives. Students interested in the major should meet with a faculty member associated with the major program as soon as possible to develop an individualized plan of study.
| Course type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Gateway and foundation courses | 12 |
| Workshops | 6 |
| Seminar | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Outreach and engagement | 3 |
| Capstone course | 3 |
| Language proficiency | - |
| Internship requirement | - |
| Total hours | 33 |
Capstone course
Students are required to take either TRNS:4500 - Undergraduate Capstone Project, or a departmental capstone course in which the student completes a capstone project on translation (with the consent of the instructor, and must be approved by advisor). This course is to be taken in final semester of minor.
Language proficiency
Students are required to have language proficiency in the world language from which the student plans to translate, demonstrated by successfully completing an advanced course taught in that language: either a 4000-level course or a course at the highest level available in that language at the University of Iowa. With the consent of the advisor, exceptions can be made for transfer courses or independent study to meet the language proficiency requirement.
Internship or Study Abroad Requirement
At the heart of the translation program at the University of Iowa lies the indispensable component of practical experience, epitomized by the mandatory internship or study abroad requirement for the Bachelor's degree. This requirement serves as a cornerstone for budding translators, offering a multifaceted array of benefits essential for their academic and professional growth, empowering studies to embark on their journey as proficient, culturally-attuned translators poised to make successful and meaningful contributions to a globalized world.
Option 1: Internship
An internship is a temporary work experience provided by an organization to a student. It's a hands-on opportunitiy for students to apply the knowledge and skills they've gained in the classroom to real-world situations within their field of study. Internships can vary in duration, from several weeks to several months, and can be either paid or unpaid. They can allow you to gain real-world experience, explore career paths, build professional networks, enhance skills, boost your resume, and increase job opportunities in the future.
Option 2: Study Abroad
To be effective citizens and to excel in their chosen careers, UI students must develop cross cultural competencies, and we must provide them opportunities to learn to function successfully and with ease in global environments. The learning and discovery guided by faculty at the University of Iowa reshape our understanding of the world, improve quality of life for many, and create economic benefits in the State of Iowa and around the globe.
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