First Year

In their first semester, students in all four programs take the same required courses: basic translation and introduction to consecutive interpretation. MAT students may ask to waive the Introduction to Interpretation course if they are sure of their major, but most students will not know yet what their major will be. Applicants who have not taken a basic economics course are strongly urged to take one prior to enrollment, or as an elective in the first semester (course may be offered by the Business School). In their second semester, students continue to take a balanced mix of translation and consecutive interpretation, and simultaneous interpretation is introduced.  Students may begin to specialize in the second semester if they choose.   By the end of their first year, students must complete all courses for one of the four Master of Arts degrees with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Second Year

In their second year, all GSTI students declare their degree specialization (MAT, MATI, MACI or MATLM) and refine skills that will enable them to succeed as professional translators and interpreters. They develop the discipline to be lifelong learners at the forefront of their profession, acquiring the knowledge, cultural understanding, and specialized vocabulary relevant to their work.  To complete the requirements for all four Master of Arts degrees, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and take a final series of comprehensive professional exams. If they do not pass the first time, students can retake the Professional exams as many times as necessary. Professional exams are offered in May and August, and no fee is charged for the exams. The exams are graded by professional juries composed of GSTI professors and are reviewed or observed by prospective employers from international organizations who are also translation and interpretation professionals. 

Thesis, Research Project, Portfolio requirements

MAT candidates must submit a translation thesis to be eligible for graduation.  Detailed guidelines are provided in the GSTI Thesis Manual.  The GSTI Thesis Manual is available from the GSTI office as well as online in the “TI Student Information” email folder.  Students must register for 2 units of thesis as a subject in the third semester, and 2 units in the fourth semester. They are expected to complete all requirements connected with the thesis prior to their Professional Exams at the end of the fourth semester. Any candidate who fails to do this will have two years to complete the thesis requirement. Any extension beyond the 2 years will require an additional thesis registration for 2 units at the current rate of tuition.

MATI candidates are not required to submit a thesis or research project due to the heavy course load, but may do so at the discretion of the Program Head.

MACI candidates must enroll in Action Research in Interpretation Studies; candidates must complete a research project to be eligible for graduation.

MATLM candidates must enroll in Localization Project Portfolio; candidates will choose a localization project, compile a localization kit, localize a product and submit a localization package to be eligible for graduation.

Two-Year Master of Arts Options

The Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation offers two-year Master of Arts degrees in four professional fields:

• Translation (MAT)
• Translation and Interpretation (MATI)
• Translation and Localization Management (MATLM)
• Conference Interpretation (MACI)

Each is designed to be a four-semester, 60-credit program. The majority of students at GSTI pursue the MATI, but increasing numbers choose the specializations of Translation or Conference Interpretation.

Advanced Entry Master's Degrees

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the nine-month MA program in all degree specializations must:

• Meet GSTI's general admission requirements
• Demonstrate preparedness to enter second-year courses by passing second-year entrance exams in their intended course of study
• Hold a degree from a recognized school of translation and interpretation or provide evidence of significant professional experience.

This experience must be documented with a portfolio, including a complete list of employers and professional references. Once admitted, advanced-entry students must complete 30 semester credits in residence at GSTI to earn the MA.

Language Qualifications

To qualify for these degree programs, students must demonstrate near-native fluency in English and one or more of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Spanish. Every student must have English as an active language, either an A or B language.

GSTI uses the AIIC (International Conference Interpreters Association) standard of rating for languages.

Active Languages

A Language: The student's native language, or another language strictly equivalent to a native language.  Translators work into this language, and interpreters work into this language in both simultaneous and consecutive modes of interpretation.

B Language: A language other than the student’s native language, usually the first foreign language, of which they have perfect command, and into which they may work in translation and interpretation.

Passive Languages

C Language:  Language of which the student has a complete understanding, and from which he or she will work.  The C language is a passive foreign language from which a translator or interpreter will work into the A language.

Alternative Language Combinations

Applicants interested in taking a language combination that does not have English as one of the A/B pair must contact the GSTI office. Language combinations that do not include English as one of the A/B pair are not part of the regular program, but may be offered as directed studies. They are only offered as directed study if and when a professor with the same language combination is available.

M.A. Degrees and Language Combinations

The MAT , MATLM, and the MACI degrees may be earned with either an A/B combination (two languages), or A/B/C (three languages) combination.   The MATI is usually earned in an A/B combination only.  The MATI in three languages is an extremely rigorous and demanding workload, and usually requires more than two years. A student interested in the three-language MATI degree must have both the Program Head's and the Dean's approval.

B or C Language Proficiency

Not all students who are accepted into GSTI degree programs have sufficiently strong language skills in their B or C languages. Some students who have been admitted to GSTI are encouraged to spend the summer before they begin their degree studies enhancing their skills by taking courses through the GSTI's Summer Intensive Program for Translation and Interpretation.

Some students may require a third year of study to achieve the proficiency necessary in their foreign languages to pass the comprehensive professional examinations. These students usually choose to spend the year between the first and second year at other translation and interpretation schools recognized by GSTI or spend the summer between the first and second year consolidating their foreign language competence.