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Program Overview



The Community Spanish Interpreter program was designed for students who have native-like fluency in both English and Spanish and plan to enter workplaces with multicultural clientele. Graduating with the certificate should enhance students’ job prospects in the medical, legal, religious, educational and business sectors.

Course work in this certificate allows students to learn translation and interpretation skills through role-play and ethical and cultural case studies. Students are provided opportunities to speak with interpreters in various fields such as medical, legal, and social services.

Career and College Promise:

This program is offered through our Career and College Promise Dual Enrollment program.

Employment Opportunities:

Graduates also have the opportunity to pair the Community Spanish Interpreter Certificate with other tracks of study which include but are not limited to: Accounting, Automotive Systems Technology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice Technology, Early Childhood Education, Medical Assisting, Paralegal Technology, Viticulture & Enology Technology, Office Administration, Medical Office Administration, and Nursing.

Spanish Interpreter Pre-Requisite Policy:

A pre-requisite for all Spanish Interpreter credentials is demonstrating fluency in Spanish at the intermediate level. Therefore, students must complete SPA-212 with a C or better OR successfully pass the Spanish/English Fluency Test prior to enrolling in certain SPI courses required for program completion. The fluency test consists of both written and oral components. Students are encouraged to complete the Spanish Language Certificate prior to starting the Spanish Interpreter certificates. Students should contact Sarah Wright at wrights@surry.edu or (336) 386-3439 to sign-up for testing.

Program Contacts:

Sarah Wright

Lead Instructor - Languages and Humanities

Certificate Curriculum

Fall Semester

SPA-141 Culture and Civilization 3
SPI-113 Intro. to Spanish Inter. 3
SPI-114 Ana.Skills Spanish Inter. 3

Spring Semester

SPI-213 Review of Grammar 3
SPI-221 Consecutive Interpreting I 3
SPI-243 Medical Interpreting I 3

Total credits needed to graduate: 18 Hours

This certificate is offered to high school students through the Career and College Promise program (C55370XA).

Students must complete SPA-212 with a C or better OR successfully pass the Spanish/English Fluency Test prior to enrolling in SPI courses required for program completion.

Learning Outcomes

  • Communicate clearly and effectively in Spanish and English in both oral and written formats.
  • Research and use specific vocabulary of various professions.
  • Analyze the cultural artifacts of relevant Spanish-speaking regions.
  • Assess and evaluate understanding of the parties involved in the process of interpretation.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in interactions, specifically respect for cultural differences/nuances.

Program Costs

CertificateIn-StateOut-of-State
Tuition and Fees$1,462.50$4,918.50
Books and Supplies$267.50$267.50
Total Cost$1,730.00$5,186.00

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