Accelerated Entry: Translation and Localization Management

Admission Requirements

You may be eligible to complete the degree in only three semesters through accelerated entry, if you meet the following requirements:

• Localization undergraduate major or minor, master’s degree, successful completion of a professional program, or other significant coursework including at least a project management and translation technology course.
• Grades in all localization courses must be a B (or equivalent) or better.
• Experience using at least one CAT/TMS tool (e.g., Trados Studio, memoQ, XTM, or Phrase TMS).
• Understanding of localization project management and typical localization workflows, such as website, brochure, software/games, and/or subtitle localization.
• Successful completion of two TLM prerequisite bootcamp courses.

If you apply for accelerated entry and do not qualify, we will automatically consider you for the regular two-year program. 

Partner Universities and Professional Programs

Students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s degrees in areas related to translation, project management, and localization from the following schools may qualify for accelerated entry TLM admission:

• Beijing Language and Culture University
• Brigham Young University
• International Christian University
• Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas
• University of Texas Arlington
• Weber State University
• University of Strasbourg
• University of Vienna

Students who have completed the following professional programs may qualify for accelerated entry TLM admission:

• Localization Institute’s Global Digital Marketing and Localization Certification
• Translation Technologies Academy’s AI Summer School
• University of Washington’s Certificate in Localization

Please reach out to miis@middlebury.edu for more information about how one of these programs may qualify you for accelerated entry TLM admission. 

Bootcamp Prerequisites

Accelerated entry students are required to take two digital prerequisite “bootcamp” courses before you start the program. These courses will be available beginning September 10 and must be completed by December 7.

• Bootcamp Course 1: Localization Project Management
• Bootcamp Course 2: Translation Technology

You must complete both courses by December 5. These courses not only act as a refresher of all foundational knowledge you need for the Advanced Localization Project Management or Advanced Localization Technology classes, but they also fill any knowledge and skill gaps from your previous training, and teach you the correct localization terminology used in the industry. The bootcamp courses have been designed by the same faculty who teach the advanced versions of these courses.

Each course costs $100, but you are saving over $24K of tuition by pursuing this three-semester program instead of the regular two-year program.

After you have been admitted and paid your tuition deposit, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the bootcamp courses. You will not be able to register for your first semester courses until you have completed these prerequisite courses. 

If you have any questions, please contact miis@middlebury.edu.

Course 1: Localization Project Management

Estimated completion time: 10–12 hours

Number of modules: 7

Instructor: Professor Yelena Proskurin

Overview: This short course offers a refresher on the concept of localization and the subsequent management of localization projects. Students will be exposed to both client and vendor localization teams as well as introduced to key stakeholders. The first part of the course focuses on project setup, defining project requirements, leading kickoff meetings, and managing talent. The second part of the course focuses on analyzing risk, selecting the right languages, gaining practice moving through workflows, and billing.

Course 2: Translation Technology

Estimated completion time: 20–40 hours

Number of modules: 4

Instructor: Professor Adam Wooten

Overview: This course offers a refresher on technologies important to management, engineering, and linguistic roles in translation & localization, with a primary focus on tools for linguistic roles, including translation and editing. Through hands-on practice, students will review and practice the basic features of a translation environment tool to create translation memory, reuse previous translations, manage terminology, perform quality assurance, and edit translations according to best practices. In addition to computer-assisted translation, the course will also cover appropriate uses for machine translation and post-editing from a linguist’s perspective.

Language Requirement (12 Credits)

During the application process, you will choose one of three tracks to fulfill the language requirement. All tracks include intercultural competence. The first two options require differing levels of fluency in a second language. The third track only requires fluency in English.

Translation

If you want to become a translator or localization professional with translation or editing responsibilities, you should pursue translation courses to fulfill the language requirement.

• The translation track has earlier deadlines than the other options:
  • You must submit the online application by October 15 at the latest, but we strongly encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to give yourself enough time to work on the Language and Skills Test (LST).
  • A few days after you submit the online application, you will receive instructions for the LST. You must submit the LST by October 20.
• After taking 6 credits of translation courses, you may complete your language requirement with 6 credits of translation, language studies, or ICC courses.
• Learn to provide high-quality translation and independently edit and revise pieces using the latest in translation technologies.
• Review the second language proficiency (including the Language and Skills Test) needed to take translation courses.
• Visit the curriculum page for details on your translation courses and credits.
• Translation courses require native and near-native fluency in English and a second language. They are available through our MA in Translation in the following languages, all paired with English:
  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Spanish

Language Studies

If you want to be able to use a second language in professional settings, you should pursue language studies courses to fulfill the language requirement.

• After taking 6 credits of language studies courses, you may complete your language requirement with translation, language studies, or ICC courses
• You may transfer up to 4 credits from completing 300-level courses at the Middlebury Summer Language Schools.
• Take content-focused courses in your target language.
• Language studies courses require 300-level or higher proficiency in the language.
• Develop specialized professional vocabulary and content knowledge in your target language, write business emails, participate in conference calls, and make presentations to clients.
• Review the second language proficiency needed to take language studies courses.
• Check out our available languages.
• Visit the curriculum page for details on your language studies courses and credits.

Intercultural Competence

Many careers in the language services industry only require fluency in English, but you will be working with a diverse range of colleagues, vendors, and clients.

• Take intercultural competence courses.
• Learn to effectively listen to, communicate with, and take action in communities with a range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
• Launch a career as a project coordinator, project manager, program manager, localization engineer, and in most technical or management roles.

International Students

Internship

International students are only eligible for off-campus internships in the U.S. using CPT (Curricular Practical Training) after completing 2 semesters, as a full-time, in-person student. As the accelerated entry program starts in spring, you will not be able to pursue a U.S.-based, off-campus internship in the summer but you can work on campus or in your home country or any country that you have work eligibility in the summer. In your final semester (spring before graduation), you will be eligible for CPT and can pursue a U.S.-based, off-campus internship. 

STEM Designation

All in-person versions of the MA in Translation and Localization Management are designated as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree programs. 

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.

STEM Scholarships

U.S. citizens and permanent residents can take advantage of a number of scholarships for STEM-designated degrees.

Degree Map/Sample Course Schedule

Spring Start, Full Time, Three Semesters (Accelerated Entry)