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What Is a Master’s Degree in Spanish Translation?

The M.A. in Translation with a Spanish concentration is a specialized degree that is designed to train students on translating from the English to Spanish language and vice versa in legal, medical, technical, literary, and commercial contexts. Coursework covers the core areas of the field: localization, editing, terminology, CAT tools, project management, and intercultural communication. You will graduate ready to compete for serious roles in the language industry.

Additionally, our master’s degree in translation with a Spanish concentration builds the cultural context and judgment that makes translation successful. Graduates leave with the kind of practical experience needed to apply their knowledge in a variety of fields. No matter your career of choice, a master’s degree in Spanish translation from 91�ֿ� will give you the knowledge and tools you need to succeed outside of the classroom.

91�ֿ� Our Master’s in Spanish Translation

The Master of Arts in Translation is offered through 91�ֿ� within the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies. Our M.A. in Translation with a concentration in Spanish is a 37-semester-hour degree completed in two years on a full-time basis, or from three to six years on a part-time basis. Our program brings together faculty with deep expertise in specialized translation, localization, terminology management, and project management, equipping you with the knowledge and professional competencies needed to excel in your chosen career path.

We take pride in not only our coursework, but also in our faculty. Our instructors have a wide range of expertise and language industry knowledge that help each student to receive personalized advice and support throughout their education. Our instructors take pride in their students’ success and will be there for you each step of the way.

Program Structure

Our MA in Translation with a Spanish concentration is designed to provide rigorous, specialized training in translation, localization, and language project management, tailored to your professional goals and areas of focus. The program is offered in two modalities, on-site and online, each with the same curriculum and coursework requirements.

The on-site option is ideal for students who value the structure and community of a campus environment, while the online option offers the flexibility to pursue an advanced degree from anywhere in the world, making it particularly well-suited for working professionals seeking to advance their careers without interrupting them. Whichever modality you choose, you will receive the same rigorous academic preparation and access to the same faculty expertise.

If you are more interested in the literature and linguistics aspects of Spanish, and wish to focus on teaching and other educational roles, you may want to consider our master’s in Spanish.

 

Why Spanish Is in Demand

Spanish-English is one of the most in-demand U.S. translation and interpretation language pairs because it sits at an intersection of major domestic need, constant legal and public service use, and significant commercial value.

With more than , Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States, so diverse organizations need talented translators and interpreters to help them convey essential messaging to customers, patients, students, residents, and others.

Demand remains high for Spanish language services because:

• The large Spanish-speaking population in the U.S. creates a daily demand in diverse areas, including healthcare settings, courts of law, schools, government institutions, and customer support roles
• Organizations that use English-only materials ultimately exclude major audiences, and their marketing materials, product information, and service documents will not be properly understood, reducing effectiveness, language access, and decreasing profitability
• Spanish is spoken throughout the world, so having expertise in both English and Spanish allows translators to find work both in U.S.-based companies as well as many within Latin America and other regions
• Interpreters are often needed in many settings where live communication is essential, such as in medical facilities, legal environments, and public service settings, since accuracy and immediacy are vital for both workers and visitors
• Many businesses view Spanish as a practical growth channel because giving customers, clients, and other interested parties Spanish-language access can improve trust and lead to more business opportunities

Career Opportunities with a Spanish Master’s Degree Specialization

There are many career paths that a student may pursue after receiving a master’s in Spanish translation. Some careers may include:

• Specialized translation in diverse fields
• Website and software localization
• Project management

The Master of Arts in Translation with a concentration in Spanish is a versatile graduate degree that prepares students for a broad range of professional and academic pursuits in the language services industry. Through the distinctive approach of 91�ֿ�'s Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies, students receive a rigorous and personalized educational experience tailored to their specific language concentration, professional goals, and areas of specialization.

Key sectors that use qualified translators include:

• Healthcare – Spanish language specialists are needed in healthcare settings because patients with limited English proficiency can otherwise misunderstand instructions and essential medical information during visits, leading to worse health outcomes and potential dangers. Bilingual patient communication ensures symptoms, treatments, medications, consent, and discharge instructions can all be clearly conveyed. Additionally, medical interpreting supports real-time conversations during appointments and emergencies.
• Legal – Spanish translation aids legal representatives regularly, being an essential component of many interviews, filings, and the explanation of rights and procedures for clients with limited English abilities. This can also impact standard court cases and legal procedures, as well as those that fall under immigration law. Meanwhile, court interpreting is also vital because judges, attorneys, and defendants must all be able to understand each other in real time, and any legal errors can affect individuals’ freedom, residency, due process, and other critical areas.
• Government – Many federal agencies actively recruit Spanish speakers because these institutions serve diverse audiences, including Spanish-speaking populations. Such institutions require staff members who can communicate directly with the public, aid processing and investigative work, and meet compliance needs. Graduates with Spanish translation degrees can find many opportunities within government institutions, including those linked to diplomacy, law enforcement, homeland security, administrative support, and more.
• Business – Having skilled Spanish translators on staff helps organizations effectively connect with Hispanic consumers. By developing localized messaging in marketing, product, and instructional materials, these businesses can build trust, improve sales, and avoid awkward or inaccurate wording. Spanish translators also help many organizations expand their operations into Latin America, where Spanish is often required for contracts, ecommerce initiatives, customer support, and product documentation.

As indicated, the Master of Arts in Translation with a specialization in Spanish delivers a versatile degree that provides students with a wealth of future opportunities.

Faculty Spotlight

Our Spanish translation specialization is overseen by talented faculty members with extensive experience in both the field and the classroom. You can review full information on our faculty page, but here are a couple of our professors who you will encounter in the program.

Kelly Washbourne

Professor Washbourne has expertise in Spanish, interpreting, children’s biliteracy, and other areas. His projects at 91�ֿ� have included service missions to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, and he is working on various initiatives related to cosmopolitan competence, interculturality, and linguistic human rights.

Isabel Lacruz

Professor Lacruz has expertise in Spanish, Spanish translation, and translation studies. She conducts experimental research into the mental processes involved in translation, including post-editing of machine translated text. 

Check Out Our Interview with Andrew Tucker, Former Doctoral Fellow

We interviewed Andrew Tucker in 2024, a doctoral fellow at that time specializing in Spanish translation. Be sure visit our post for all his insights, but here’s a sampling:

What makes the field of translation such an exciting prospect for the future?

“The same thing that has always made translation exciting: digging into a huge variety of topics—it never gets boring. Now and in the future, translators must be able to adapt to changing markets and tools while attaining a high level of subject-matter specialization and writing like the pros.”
 

Admission Requirements for the Spanish Translator Degree

In order to be considered for the M.A. in Translation with a specialization in Spanish, you must complete the following steps:

• Complete a master’s program application
  • On-Campus
  • Online
• Send official transcripts
• Send application fee
• Fulfill the entrance requirements for the Master of Arts in Translation

If you have any questions on our master’s degree in Spanish translation, or if you would like to learn more about our other areas of language specialization and requirements, be sure to contact us today!