Curriculum: Translation and Localization Management

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The MA in Translation and Localization Management is a four-semester, 60-credit program. There is a two-semester, 32-credit advanced-entry option (online or in-person) for eligible students.

Degree	Credits	Duration	Practicum	Second Language	Program Chair
TLM	60	4 semesters	Required	Required	Max Troyer
Advanced Entry TLM (in-person)	32	2 semesters	Optional	Optional	Max Troyer
Advanced Entry TLM (online)	32	2 years	Optional	Optional	Max Troyer

Learning Goals

Project Management: Managing translation and localization workflows, developing processes and procedures, prioritizing tasks, recruiting, hiring and managing resources, and implementing computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, crowdsourcing and machine translation solutions.
Business Management: Proficiency in a variety of key business areas such as globalization, accounting, marketing, organizational behavior, market economics, international business strategy, and data analysis.
Localization: Expertise in using software that enables the internationalization and localization of software, video games, websites, content management systems, print-based desktop publishing formats, and audio-visual formats such as subtitles and dubbing.
Translation: Written translation into the native language, editing and revision of translations, and work with a variety of translation and glossary management tools.
Communication: Ability to speak the language of everyone involved in the translation process, such as clients, translators, project managers, engineers, designers, etc., the ability to evangelize and share best localization practices, and the soft skills necessary to work in a team distributed throughout the world.

Requirements

Core coursework (24 credits)

Language Requirement (16 credits)

Localization or Translation Practicum (4 credits)

Electives (16 credits)

Degree Map/Sample Course Schedule

Core Course Work

24 credits

Learn what it takes to make smart business and data-driven localization decisions, how to design custom solutions and workflows, how to harness the tools we use to localize and the tools used to create content, and finally, how to efficiently manage translation and localization projects to help businesses and organizations go global.

All core courses are 2 credits each:

Translation Technology
Localization Project Management
Website Localization
Principles of Translation (for students taking language studies courses)
Advanced Translation Technology
Multilingual Desktop Publishing
Designing for Internationalization and Culture
Advanced Localization Project Management
Terminology Management
Software Internationalization and Localization
International Marketing for Localizers
Advancing Your Localization Career
Audio-Visual Localization

Language Requirement

16 credits

Translation Courses

If you are fulfilling the language requirement through translation courses, you are required to take 4 credits of translation courses each semester (16 credits in total). At least 2 credits each semester must be in the B–A language pair for a total of 8 B–A credits. The remaining 8 translation credits can be in B-A or A-B, at the discretion of the Language Program Head. This provides students with the flexibility to take either 4 credits of B–A, or 2 credits of B-A and 2 credits of A–B per semester. Please note that some languages only offer translation courses in 4 credit units so these students will need to take 4 B–A each semester.

Introduction to Translation Written/Sight B–A (2 or 4 credits, if taken as 2 credits then A–B as 2 credits also required)
Intermediate Translation Written/Sight B–A (2 or 4 credits, if taken as 2 credits then A–B as 2 credits also required)
Advanced Translation I B–A (2 or 4 credits, if taken as 2 credits then A–B as 2 credits also required)
Advanced Translation II B–A (2 or 4 credits, if taken as 2 credits then A–B as 2 credits also required)

You will earn the translation specialization after completing these 16 credits. You may also take intercultural competence or language studies courses as electives.

Language Studies

If you are fulfilling the language requirement through language studies courses you will take a minimum of 8 credits of language studies courses at the 300-level or higher. For the other 8 credits needed to satisfy the language requirement (16 credits total), you have the flexibility to take more language studies courses, intercultural competence courses, linguistics courses, and/or translation courses (if you pass the Language and Skills Test). If you are not taking translation courses and do not have any training in translation, you also need to take the course Principles of Translation in your first semester.

Please note that you may simultaneously pursue the Language Studies for Professional Purposes specialization through your language requirement credits.

Practicum

4 credits total: 2 credits per semester for 2 semesters

Gain real-world experience by completing a practicum, in which you either complete a substantial individual translation project, operate Globe Multilingual Services (a student-driven translation agency within the Institute), complete a paid or volunteer localization-related internship, or contribute to a research/special project such as the ROAR podcast.

Electives

16 credits

You will complete your degree with additional Localization courses and electives of your choice from any degree program. Popular electives include Data-Driven Localization, which will prepare you to make strategic, management-level decisions. Translation specialization students may choose to take additional translation courses including studying a third language.

Professional Development

Advancing Your Localization Career

Prepare for the markets in which you may work through this career-focused course. In conjunction with this course, your career advisor and academic advisor will provide one-on-one coaching regarding your career goals.

Internships

Many students spend their summers at organizations and companies at the top of the localization field. These professional opportunities often lead to full-time work upon graduation.

Degree Map/Sample Course Schedule

Fall Start, Full Time, Four Semesters

Semester	Course	Credits
Fall 1	Translation or Language Studies	4
Fall 1	Translation Technology	2
Fall 1	Localization Project Management	2
Fall 1	Website Localization	2
Fall 1	Designing for Internationalization and Culture	2
Fall 1	Electives (General)	4
Spring 1	Translation or Language Studies	4
Spring 1	Advanced Translation Technology	2
Spring 1	Advanced Localization Project Management	2
Spring 1	Multilingual Desktop Publishing	2
Spring 1	Software Internationalization and Localization	2
Spring 1	Principles of Translation (if taking language studies courses)	0 or 2
Spring 1	Electives (General)	4
Fall 2	Translation or Language Studies/Intercultural Competence	4
Fall 2	Terminology Management	2
Fall 2	International Marketing for Localizers	2
Fall 2	Localization or Translation Practicum	2
Fall 2	Electives (General)	2
Spring 2	Translation or Language Studies/Intercultural Competence	4
Spring 2	Audio-Visual Localization	2
Spring 2	Advancing Your Localization Career	2
Spring 2	Localization or Translation Practicum	2
Spring 2	Electives (General)	6 or 4
	TOTAL	60

Advanced Entry

We offer an online or in-person, 32-credit, two-semester program for students who meet our advanced entry requirements:

In-person advanced entry: see below for language requirements and degree map.
Online advanced entry. visit the online TLM curriculum page.

Language Requirement for In-Person Advanced Entry (8 Credits)

You may satisfy the language requirement with 8 credits of courses in Translation, Language Studies, and/or Intercultural Competence (ICC).

Translation

Review the general TLM information for taking translation courses.
Specific advanced entry information: after taking 4 credits of translation courses, you may complete your language requirement with 4 credits of translation, language studies, or ICC courses.