Graduate Certificates


Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. For students interested in beginning their program during the Summer 2024 semester, the priority deadline to submit your application is April 1, 2024.

Click here to complete your application!


The Department of Languages and Culture Studies offers three types of Graduate Certificates.

  • Graduate Certificate in Translating
    • French
    • German
    • Japanese
    • Spanish
  • Graduate Certificate in Translation & Interpreting Studies
    • ​​Spanish
  • Graduate Certificate in Business Language
    • Spanish
    • German

The Department of Languages and Culture Studies offers a Graduate Certificate in Languages and Culture Studies: Translating with options in the following language pairs: English-French, English-German, English-Japanese, English-Russian, and English-Spanish. It is designed for Early Entry, post-baccalaureate, graduate, and post-graduate students. Students typically complete the required 12 graduate credit hours in 2-3 semesters, and may begin the program in either the Fall or Spring semester.

Students in the certificate program study the history, theory, methodology, and profession of translation; work intensively in the analysis and translation of different types of discourse, including non-literary and literary texts; become familiar with computer-assisted translation; and develop advanced post-editing skills. Graduate level coursework may also include special topics courses in translation and up to 3 credit hours of professional internship credit in translating. Translating is done in both directions of a given language pair:

  • English ↔ French
  • English ↔ German
  • English ↔ Japanese
  • English ↔ Spanish

Students must apply for admission to the Graduate School and must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. Applicants will generally have a baccalaureate degree in one of the certificate languages: French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish, or in a closely related area that requires sufficient upper-division coursework in that language (e.g., for Spanish, Latin American Studies, International Studies, International Business), or an undergraduate degree, certificate, or minor in translation.

Applicants are required to submit:

  • A well-developed essay in English that addresses the applicant’s motivation for enrolling in the Graduate Certificate
  • Three letters of reference (from professors, specialists in translation, and/or employers, preferably in the field)
  • An oral interview with the Graduate Program Director
  • A sample of translations into or from the language pair selected (with original text to accompany each translation submitted)
  • For International Students only: Complete English Language Proficiency Process

Notes: Students interested in adding this Graduate Certificate to the M.A. in Spanish must apply separately for the certificate program. One application does not cover both programs. GRE scores are not required.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Certificate Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Languages and Culture Studies: Translation and Interpreting Studies focuses on the following language pair: Spanish-English. It is designed for Early Entry, post-baccalaureate, graduate, and post-graduate students. Students typically complete the required 12 graduate credit hours in 2-3 semesters, and may begin the program in either the Fall or Spring semester.

Students in the certificate program study the history, theory, methodology, and profession of translation and interpreting; work intensively in the analysis of different types of written and oral discourse; become familiar with computer-assisted translation, sight translation, simultaneous and consecutive interpreting; and develop advanced post-editing skills. Graduate level coursework may also include special topics courses in translation and interpreting and up to 3 credit hours of professional internship credit in translating and interpreting. Translating and interpreting is done in both directions of the language pair: Spanish ↔ English.

Admission Requirements

Students must apply for admission to the Graduate School and must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. Applicants will generally have a baccalaureate degree in Spanish, or in a closely related area that requires sufficient upper-division coursework in that language (e.g., for Spanish, Latin American Studies, International Studies, International Business), or an undergraduate degree, certificate, or minor in translation.

Applicants are required to submit:

  • A well-developed essay in English that addresses the applicant’s motivation for enrolling in the Graduate Certificate
  • Three letters of reference (from professors, specialists in translation, and/or employers, preferably in the field)
  • An oral interview with the Graduate Program Director
  • A sample of translations into or from the language pair selected (with original text to accompany each translation submitted)
  • For International Students only: Complete English Language Proficiency Process

Note: Students interested in adding this Graduate Certificate to the M.A. in Spanish must apply separately for the certificate program. One application does not cover both programs. GRE scores are not required.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Certificate Requirements

The Department of Languages and Culture Studies offers a Graduate Certificate in Languages and Culture Studies: Business Language with concentrations in the following languages: German and Spanish.

It is designed for Early Entry, post-baccalaureate, graduate, and post-graduate students. Students typically complete the required 12 graduate credit hours in 2-3 semesters, and may begin the program in either the Fall or Spring semester.

Students in the certificate program pursue advanced study of language, culture, and intercultural communication in business German or Spanish, which involves intensive development of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing, translation, and interpreting skills focused on topics such as business communications, economics, management, banking, real estate, office systems, marketing (logistics and advertising), finance, import-export, and e-commerce. Graduate level coursework may also include 6 credit hours of special topics courses in business language studies, graduate courses in German or Spanish, related coursework from another graduate program such as Latin American Studies or International Business, and up to 3 credit hours of professional internship credit in an appropriate intercultural communication or target-language business setting.

Admission Requirements

Students must apply for admission to the Graduate School and must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. Applicants will generally have a baccalaureate degree in one of the certificate languages: German or Spanish, or in a closely related area that requires sufficient upper-division coursework in that language (e.g., for Spanish: Latin American Studies, International Studies, International Business), or an Undergraduate Certificate or Minor in German or Spanish.

Applicants are required to submit:

  • A well-developed essay in English that addresses the applicant’s motivation for enrolling in the Graduate Certificate
  • Two letters of reference (typically from professors, intercultural communications specialists in language or business, and/or employers, preferably in a business field)
  • For International Students only: Complete English Language Proficiency Process

Notes: Applicants may be required to have an interview with the Graduate Director. Students interested in adding this Graduate Certificate to the M.A. in Spanish must apply separately for the certificate program; one application does not cover both programs. GRE scores are not required.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Certificate Requirements

For information: Contact Graduate Director Dr. Chris Mellinger