1. What level of language proficiency is required for admission?


2. What is the Oral Competency Interview?


3. How and when is the Oral Competency Interview scheduled?


4. How do I schedule the Interpreting Aptitude Test?


5. Can I take the Interpreting Aptitude Test abroad?


6. What does the Interpreting Aptitude Test consist of?


7. Is the GRE required?


8. Who should write my letters of recommendation?


9. What financial assistance is available?


10. Is there any way to waive the out-of-state tuition?


11. I understand that we have to do an internship in our last semester. Will we look for the internships ourselves, or does the school assist us in searching for an available internship?


12. Are the internships typically located in the Charleston area?


13. Is the Internship paid or unpaid?


14. Is there someone in the housing department who would be able to help my family and me find affordable housing near the college?


15. Are the majority of students native Spanish speakers, or native English speakers with an undergraduate degree in Spanish?


16. Do the majority of students in the program have interest in working in the court system, or are there many who are interested in general interpreting for companies, hospitals, etc?


17. Are classes during the day or evening?


18. Is there a January start date option?


19. Are the classes conducted in Spanish?


20. Is some background in law needed?


21. Is the degree available in other language combinations, such as French or Arabic?


22. When do classes start?

1. What is the Oral Competency Interview?

   The ideal applicant must demonstrate an advanced oral proficiency in English and Spanish, be able to utilize different registers appropriate to various situations, and be able to speak and be understood without difficulty by native speakers who may not be accustomed to interacting with non-native speakers. Applicants should also understand and be familiar with cultural references, idioms, and other cultural aspects of language use in both languages.

2. What is the Oral Competency Interview?

   The admissions process starts with an Oral Competency Interview to determine your proficiency in your B language. To qualify for admission, proficiency has to be at least at the advanced level, which means that the candidate must handle with ease oral communication situations that involve significant degree of complexity. If the candidate meets the language competency requirement, the next step is the aptitude test.

3. How and when is the Oral Competency Interview scheduled?

   After your application to the program has been received, we will contact you to schedule the Oral Competency Interview. It can be conducted over the telephone.

4. How do I schedule the Interpreting Aptitude Test

   Unlike the Oral Competency Interview, the Interpreting Aptitude Test is conducted in person. If you can come to campus, contact the program director to set a date for the test. If it is not possible to come to campus, you may identify a proctor in your city, ideally a college faculty member, to administer the test to you. After you have provided us with the contact information of your proctor, we will communicate with him or her to discuss the details of the test.

5. Can I take the Interpreting Aptitude Test abroad?

   Yes. It will be administered as described above.

6. What does the Interpreting Aptitude Test consist of?

   The following link leads to a description of the test.
   General Interpreting Aptitude Examination

7. Is the GRE required?

   It is required for the Masters program but not for the certificates.

8. Who should write my letters of recommendation?

   We prefer letters of recommendation written by faculty members who can refer to your work as a student, linguistic and communication skills, and commitment towards your work. If it has been a long time since you were enrolled in college, you may request a work supervisor to write your recommendation letter.

9. What financial assistance is available?

   Financial aid is available to those that qualify; please fill out the FAFSA if you are interested. The program also has a number of scholarships and graduate assistantships through the Graduate School and the Interpreting programs. The Graduate School or the Interpreting Programs Director can provide you the specifics about availability of scholarships and assistantships.

10. Is there any way to waive the out-of-state tuition?

    Yes. There are two ways to receive an abatement. The first is to be granted a graduate, teaching or research assistantship. The second is to apply for and receive the Graduate Scholars Award offered through the Graduate School.

11. I understand that we have to do an internship in our last semester. Will we look for the internships ourselves, or does the school assist us in searching one out?

    Students arrange their own internships through their existing contacts, by making new contacts, or by getting in touch with previous internship supervisors. We can provide you with this information and will help in any way possible.

12. Are the internships typically located in the Charleston area?

    No. At this point in time the Charleston courts do not offer the required support for internships.

13. Is the Internship paid or unpaid?

    The internship is typically unpaid. If a student is able to find a paid internship that meets the requirements they, are welcome to complete a paid internship.

14. Is there someone in the housing department who would be able to help my family and me find affordable housing near the college?

    The College of Charleston housing office offers a website here that lists available off-campus housing. Each listing includes its distance from campus. Residential Life staff is also available to point you towards other resources, provide you with a list of realtors, and give you maps and directions.

15. Are the majority of students native Spanish speakers, or native English speakers with an undergraduate degree in Spanish?

    Both native Spanish speakers and native English speakers enroll in the program. An undergraduate degree in Spanish is a good start but is not required. In order to have the language proficiency required, usually students will have lived abroad as well. Living abroad really helps students not only to increase their language skills but also to know the various cultures of the Spanish speaking world.

16. Do the majority of students in the program have interest in working in the court system, or are there many who are interested in general interpreting for companies, hospitals, etc?

    Most of our graduates do judicial interpreting, but they also interpret in settings like hospitals and attorneys' offices. Prospective students who are interested in interpreting in hospitals are encouraged to complete the Certificate in Medical and Healthcare Interpreting. Masters students may complete the Certificate by taking just one additional course.

17. Are classes during the day or evening?

    All classes are offered in the evening. This allows students to work during the day. Daytime classes are required during the Summer Session.

18. Is there a January start date option?

    Admissions are in the fall only, for now.

19. Are the classes conducted in Spanish?

    Both languages are used. The criminal and civil law courses, for example, are taught in English by practicing attorneys.

20. Is some background in law needed?

    Prior education in law is not necessary. During the first semester students will take a criminal procedures and a family law course in order to become familiar with the subject matter.

21. Is the degree available in other language combinations, such as French or Arabic?

    Our programs are designed for the Spanish English language pair for now.

22. When do classes start?

    The first day of class for the 2010-2011 school year is Tuesday, August 24. See the College of Charleston calendar for other important dates here.