Gain your competitive edge in the $50 billion language services industry—launch your career through the first and leading Translation and Localization Management master’s program in the U.S.
Our Master of Arts in Translation and Localization Management (TLM) degree prepares you for a career working at the intersection of language, culture, business, and technology. Our graduates work around the world in a range of roles, including as localization program managers and language leads at tech firms like Netflix, Google, and Salesforce, and as project managers at leading translation companies.
| Program |
Start Term |
Credits |
Duration |
In-Person |
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLM degree |
Fall |
60 | 4 semesters | Monterey, California | Live (with asynchronous options) |
| Advanced Entry | Fall | 32 | In-person: 2 semesters Online: 2 years (part-time) |
Monterey, California | Asynchronous (with live options) |
| Learning paths | Fall or spring | Various | Flexible | n/a | Asynchronous |
Localization is the process of adapting the content related to an idea, service, or product to the language and culture of a specific market or region.
Your courses are available in person and online. You may start and complete your entire degree program remotely but please note that some of your online courses are live (synchronous) so you will have to keep time zones in mind. Any courses offered in our online advanced-entry TLM degree are asynchronous (no required live class meeting) and part-time.
The faculty, curriculum, and per-credit cost are the same for both versions of the program so you will have the flexibility to study online or in person, or easily switch between the two experiences as your personal and professional needs allow.
You may also build your expertise in industry-specific areas by taking online courses as a nondegree student in our localization learning paths.
One of the things that makes our program very interesting is that we cover so many different topics. And I think that we have probably the most broad curriculum of any localization program in North America, if not the world.
I picked this program because it combines the linguistic aspect with the technical part, and I think that’s very exciting. And this school is one of the only institutions that offer this program. And because I wanna set foot into the localization industry, this was the best choice for me.
Well, my studies here was a mixture of translation, interpretation and localization. And I had a chance to intern at a Stanford hospital. And we got to use advanced tools, computer assisted translation tools, in the field. That’s a very wonderful opportunity that I got.
We have a really close relationship with the localization industry. And we are always interacting with folks in the industry to find out what kind of skills they’re looking for in the people that they hire. And we’re making changes to our courses to respond to their needs.
We need game testers who have the language skills that we need. And then there’s game testing from a localization point of view, where we’re translating our games, and we need to check primarily when text appears on the screen.
Monterey is so close located to the Bay Area, and also the Silicon Valley, which is really great because this gives us an opportunity to attend events in the Silicon Valley. And those are really helpful also to learn about the localization industry. Many, in fact, in not the majority of our students have internships that are ongoing throughout the academic year. There are a few localization agencies right here, in Monterrey, that they work at, and for other agencies, they work remotely. And we’re finding out that agencies are opening up offices here in Monterrey, partially to get access to our students. Here, you will learn the most advanced expertise in this profession because every professor are the most selective ones in the world. And they are also practicing profession as well. They never stop practicing.
It’s so easy to get help from the professors. Even on the weekend when I had some issues with coding, my professor emailed me right back which was really great.
The goal for our graduates is to get them their dream job in the localization industry. And to do that, we’re giving them the skills that employers are looking for
Everything I’ve learned here so far is so relevant. Just meeting people from the localization industry outside of MIIS made me realize that all the skills are really important to know.
If you’ve been looking for a way to use your language skills, and you’d like to learn some business and technology skills as well, then translation and localization management is the perfect program for you.
Your career and academic advising are coordinated, ensuring you align your coursework with your career goals. Our experienced advisors will guide you from course registration to preparing for interviews, negotiating your employment offers, and managing your career.
Our Monterey, California, campus is located in a beautiful, multicultural area that’s home to a high concentration of localization companies. Coupled with our proximity to Silicon Valley, you’ll have extensive opportunities to engage with localization professionals, find internships, and explore full-time employment opportunities.
Our annual language services career fair, hosted at our Monterey, California campus, attracts dozens of employers—like the MediaLocate and Deluxe Media Inc.—all seeking to hire our students for internships and full-time positions.
Our large and influential alumni network is eager to help you take the next step in your career. They are thriving in careers around the world. Many top employers seek out our graduates as their go-to hires for localization management talent. Explore careers in localization.
Our tech-focused curriculum will prepare you to quickly advance in the fast-growing localization industry. You’ll take hands-on courses in language, management, and technology; develop cross-cultural understanding and communication; and build highly marketable skills. Learn to use the latest translation and localization software, benefit from industry-focused electives, and gain experience through a professional practicum.
Earn this 60-credit degree over four full-time semesters or in 32 credits through the advanced entry programs.
See curriculum for more details.
You may fulfill the TLM language requirement with courses in translation or language studies depending on your career goals and proficiency in a second language. Learn more about the language requirement.
If you meet our advanced entry requirements, you may complete an in-person or online master’s in 32 credits, allowing you to graduate in just two semesters or to continue working while you earn your degree. Advanced entry students also have greater flexibility with the language requirement. Learn more about the advanced entry programs.
Our MA in Translation and Localization Management is designated as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree program. If you are an international student who graduates from this program, and you are eligible to apply for standard Optional Practical Training (OPT), you may also qualify to apply for a STEM 24-month extension of your work authorization. Our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team can tell you more about these requirements.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents can take advantage of a number of scholarships for STEM-designated degrees.
Launch a flexible career in the language services industry with advanced language and technical skills. Earn two master’s degrees in three years by combining TLM with one of three different translation and interpretation degrees.
These three STEM-designated joint degrees give you more time to work on your language skills, making your translation and/or interpretation coursework more manageable, and increasing your chances of qualifying for advanced courses that will further your versatility in the market.
Learn more about the joint master’s degrees.
You’ll spend your second year of the program gaining real-world experience through a localization practicum, during which you’ll either work on a translation or research project or join the student-operated Globe Multilingual Services. Globe is a translation agency where you work with classmates, choose clients to work with, and explore the complexities of working together on large-scale, multilingual projects.
Earn your TLM master’s with us and you’ll be positioned for maximum growth in this high-demand field. Our TLM degree is a worthwhile investment in your professional growth—and the sooner you apply, the more likely you are to benefit from our scholarships, grants, and other aid.
Learn more about scholarships, financial aid, and your tuition costs.
You’ll learn from faculty who combine academic expertise with years of professional experience. They’re active in their respective fields, engaging with industry organizations including, the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA), Nimdzi, LocWorld, the American Translators Association (ATA), TAUS, the Northern California Translators Association (NCTA), the International Federation of Translators (FIT), and Translators Without Borders (TWB).
Together with career advisors, our faculty will be your mentors, ensuring that you receive the academic and professional experience that will help you realize your career goals. Meet your faculty.
Translation student Frances Chang explains how courses and advising sessions with the Center for Advising and Career Services helped her get out of her comfort zone when launching a career in the field.
| by Ian Driscoll
The Experiential Learning team released the fourth annual Experiential Learning Impact Report featuring students’ professional and academic impact during the 2021–2022 academic year.
| by Sierra Abukins
Our localization experts partnered with the Office of Digital Learning and Inquiry to launch a new self-paced, short course—the first of many—on the subtitling industry standards pioneered by Netflix.
Our graduates work for private corporations, governments, and nonprofit organizations around the world as employees or freelance consultants.
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