Language degrees can be found in a variety of formats, including standard undergraduate and graduate degrees in a language, such as Spanish, French, German, Italian, and so forth. Such programs are offered at nearly every four-year university in the country and typically cover language and culture. A degree in a foreign language coupled with a teaching certificate usually leads to a teaching career, but foreign language degrees are also used for careers in translation and interpretation.
The International Association of Conference Interpreters says that interpreters need a four-year degree, but not necessarily in a language. They also suggest degrees such as law or economics and say that someone with a strong command of a second language can be a successful interpreter if they have a high educational aptitude and quick-thinking skills.
Degrees specifically in interpretation and translation are available, however. Surry Community College in Dobson, North Carolina, offers a community Spanish interpreter associate's degree, and Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, offers bachelor of translation degrees in French, Russian, German, and Spanish.
Many translators and interpreters opt to pursue certification. Though not mandatory, certification is offered by a number of organizations, including the American Translators Association (ATA). ATA offers certification for professional translators and interpreters with either a bachelor degree and two years' experience or five years' experience in translating or interpreting. The Translators and Interpreters Guild offers certification based on training, experience, and references.
Certification is also offered by federal, state, and local courts. The Oregon State Court System offers certification to court interpreters in Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese. California's federal court system also offers Federal Court Interpreter Certification.
