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Turn Your Passion for Language Services into a Professional Career
Foundations of Translation and Interpreting is a noncredit professional development course designed for learners who are interested in language studies and want to enter the field of translation and interpretation. Furthermore, language services professionals can use this course as a refresher to stay up-to-date with current industry standards.
This interpreter training course covers must-know topics such as evaluating translation quality, correcting common translation pitfalls, and identifying the correct tools for different translation tasks.
This introductory interpreter online course serves as an ideal starting point to pursue a career in translation and interpreting and can be used toward an MSU Denver credential or degree.
Cost | Schedule | Details
The course is $450, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
- Course begins – February 2, 2026
- Last day to register – February 9, 2026
- Course ends – April 2, 2026
The fields of Translation and Interpreting are introduced within the broader framework of Language Services – one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. Learners will gain deeper insight into the building of professional-grade language services and will discover the wide spectrum of opportunities to apply their language skills with this interpreter training online. This course also explores how AI language translation is shaping and changing the role of a modern translator or interpreter. Foundations of Translation and Interpreting is an important training for any modern or aspiring interpreter professional.
Hands-on practices are designed within the framework of cultural competence and effective communication to enhance your interpreting skills. Case studies are drawn from a variety of source languages, including French, German, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish among others. The examples in this interpreter training represent a broad spectrum of texts and include excerpts from sacred scriptures, world literature, policy documents, marketing materials, lifestyle publications, and translations of Harry Potter. The course is taught in English and is entirely online.
Students will better understand the essential skills needed to pursue interpreting and translation as a profession. Additionally, students will receive a digital badge embedded with the competencies learned. We recommend including this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer. Students will also receive a certificate of completion. To become certified, additional industry exams are required.
Students can also convert the course to three college credits and continue in their studies with an MSU Denver certificate or degree. See FAQs for more information.
- Explain the differences between translation and interpreting, and identify the different methods of translation and modes of interpreting
- Undertake translation and interpretation tasks with a professionally informed approach
- Evaluate translation quality
- Propose edits to correct common translation pitfalls
- Identify the technology tools most fitting for specific translation tasks
- Approach prompt design strategically when using AI translation software or language processing tools such as ChatGPT, AI-Writer, and QuillBot
- Self-evaluate and determine the most fitting roles in the language services industry
Why Take Foundations of Translation and Interpreting?
Learn on your own schedule
The course can be completed in 4-8 weeks and is self-paced online.
Gain confidence in your translation and interpreting skills
Receive a personal advising session with an industry expert in the translation and interpreting industry who has been where you want to be.
96% of students who completed a post-course Career Launchpad survey in spring 2025 reported:
✓ Increased knowledge, skills, and understanding of the subject matter.
✓ High satisfaction with the overall experience of the course.
✓ Agreed that the subject matter was organized and presented effectively.
Career Pathways in Translation and Interpreting
Approximate return on investment for each academic pathway for interpreters
Pathway 1: Complete the noncredit Foundations of Translation and Interpreting course and position yourself to enter the workforce with newly learned knowledge and skills. To become certified, additional industry exams are required. The median salary of this pathway is $32,000 a year.
Pathway 2: Earn a Translation Studies certificate from MSU Denver to further your credentials in the field. The median salary of this pathway is $36,000 a year.
Pathway 3: Continue your academic journey by converting Foundations of Translation and Interpreting to credit and earn a degree in World Languages, which allows you to increase your earning potential. The median salary of this pathway is $49,200 a year.
About your course instructor
Translation and Interpreting course instructor
Wendy S. Gallagher, MA, CT
Wendy Gallagher earned a double B.A. with Honors in Humanities and Spanish from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She also attended the Universidad de Sevilla and worked in Seville, Spain, for several years post-graduation. She later returned to CU Boulder to complete an M.A. in Spanish Literature, followed by a Certificate in Translation from New York University and ATA Translator Certification. She began her career at MSU Denver in 2003, teaching Translation and all levels of Spanish, and coordinates the First-Year Spanish Program and the Spanish Translation Certificate Program for the Department of World Languages.
Are you ready to kickstart your career in the world of translation and interpreting? Enroll in the Foundations of Translation and Interpreting online course with MSU Denver and gain the necessary knowledge for a career in the language services industry.
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Office Location:
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3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362