BA in Spanish Translation and Interpreting (Medical) Catalog Information

The BA in Spanish Translation and Interpreting is available effective 8/25/2025. The approved information below will be added to the next catalog publication.

Overview

The B.A. in Spanish Translation and Interpreting Medical track trains students to be qualified bilingual medical professionals with opportunities to develop professional experience. Emphasis is placed on managing bilingual doctor-patient communication in accordance with national ethical principles and standards of practice for interpreters in healthcare. There is a growing need for qualified medical interpreters and translators, and few programs that address this need. TWU's program provides the necessary language and medical interpreter training, requires each student to take a test to receive a state-wide qualification, and provides every student with 150 internship hours before graduation. The program provides students with the skills necessary to work as qualified bilingual medical professionals in hospital and clinical settings.

Marketable skills

1. Incorporate emerging technologies to manage the doctor-patient relationship in Spanish and English in a variety of healthcare settings. 
2. Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary medical team to increase cultural awareness of alternative medical practices, preventing bias, providing uniform quality health care, and ensuring patient safety.
3. Apply ethical principles to provide bilingual leadership in promoting both patient and self-advocacy, cultural awareness, and social justice within the health care system.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Degree requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120
Major: 48 SCH
Required Minor: 18 SCH

Texas Core Curriculum

Courses Required for Major

Minor

A minor with a minimum of 18 SCH is required. Students must select from the following Minors.

• Health Psychology
• Child Development
• Early Childhood Intervention
• Family Studies
• English
• Clinical Applications Health Informatics
• Race and Ethnic Studies
• Health Studies
• Multicultural Women’s and Gender Studies Minor
• Neuroscience
• Scientific Illustration

Electives

Students must complete 120 SCH of coursework. Depending on the minor selected, the remaining coursework is elective and should be selected in consultation with their advisor.

Proficiency Testing

Advanced-mid proficiency must be attained before taking the interpreting courses. Students must take a professional assessment that is approved by the program director before they can enroll in the internship course. Preference will be placed on a test that offers national certification in medical interpreting. Depending on their scores, students will be placed in an internship that fits their individual interpreting/translation abilities and career interests.  Foundational coursework for the proficiency test includes SPAN 1013, SPAN 1023, SPAN 2033, and SPAN 2043.

Recommended plan of study