Translation Studies (PhD, MA, CERT)

Program Overview

Binghamton University’s Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) is the first doctoral degree in translation studies in the United States. In line with the University’s progressive and multifaceted approach to education at large, TRIP represents another way in which the University’s liberal arts departments continue to be pioneers in their fields.

The program prepares students for both the professoriate and for scholarly research, including research-informed translation, and it encourages individualized interdisciplinary research plans to accommodate a variety of backgrounds. A highly interdisciplinary program, TRIP offers opportunities for study on topics ranging from critical theory to comparative literature to pedagogy, among others. This broad sense of scholarship allows TRIP to utilize many of the University’s best resources and provides TRIP students with the opportunity to customize their own degree emphases.

Degrees Offered

• PhD in Translation Studies
• MA in Translation
• CERT in Translation

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

Depending on their interests, students will be able to choose electives from a variety of courses from disciplines such as history, political science, sociology, linguistics, philosophy or art history, so that they can be better prepared to develop their research.

After finishing their required credits and courses, doctoral students are expected to take the TRIP PhD comprehensive examination, which will be evaluated by an examination committee composed of three examiners chosen by the students in conjunction with the TRIP director.

The University's Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development is an additional resource for students. The Fleishman Center provides many useful services that aid professional development, including mock interviews, résumé critique, and career workshops.

After You Graduate

The intense language immersion, as well as the cultural competency aspect of TRIP, prepares our graduates for both academic and research-oriented careers after graduation. Our alumni have obtained academic positions in institutions within the United States and around the world, such as Adelphi University, Al-Balqa Applied University (Jordan), Al-Zaytoonah University (Jordan), Appalachian State University, Beijing International Studies University (China), Coastal Carolina University, Gaza University (Palestine), Indiana University-Purdue, Ithaca College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Qassim University (Saudi Arabia), São Paulo State University (Brazil), Saudi Electronic University (Saudi Arabia), Shenzhen University (China), Taif University (Saudi Arabia), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, University of British Columbia,  University of Pennsylvania, Wake Forest University, Weber State University, Yarmouk University (Jordan). 

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for graduate study, you must:

• Provide a complete set of your undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) transcripts showing one of the following:
  • You have earned a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
  • You are within one academic year of earning a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
  • You are eligible to apply as part of a memorandum of understanding between your current institution and Binghamton University
• Have earned, at minimum, one of the following:
  • A 3.0 GPA over your entire undergraduate career
  • A 3.0 GPA during your last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of your undergraduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as "pass/fail")
  • A 3.0 GPA in a graduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as "pass/fail")
  • In consideration of the different grading scales used around the world, each academic department evaluates international transcripts to determine on a case-by-case basis whether they demonstrate one of the above requirements.

• PhD applicants should have:
  • Previous experience or background in translation studies;
  • A near-native fluency in English, as well as the ability to write academic texts in English, and a near-native fluency in a second language;
  • Previous immersion in a culture where the second language is spoken is desirable;
  • Good reading knowledge of a third language is also desirable.

To apply, you must submit the following materials. For general guidelines for these materials, see the Admission Requirements website.

• Online graduate degree application with graduate degree application fee
• Transcripts from each college or university that you have attended
  • PhD applicants: A master's degree is desirable for admission
• Personal statement
  • PhD applicants: The personal statement should talk about your research project and how your experiences, our institution and the faculty you named can help you. Explain why you're the one to do this project and why we're the place for you to do it. Tell us about your strengths and how what you've done supports what you intend to research.
  • MA applicants: Declare your languages here and discuss your language proficiency, particularly in regard to reading.
  • Certificate applicants: Describe your qualifications, your interest in the program and your language proficiency in a 1-2 page personal statement.
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Letters of recommendation
  • PhD applicants: Three letters of recommendation
  • MA applicants: Two letters of recommendation (at least one should attest to your language proficiency and speak to your reading comprehension ability)
  • Certificate applicants: One letter of recommendation
• Official GRE scores
  • PhD applicants: Required
    • Recommended GRE minimum: 310
    • GMAT and LSAT scores are also accepted
  • MA applicants: Optional
    
• Writing sample
  • PhD applicants: May comprise a thesis or a paper from an upper-division undergraduate or graduate course
  • MA applicants: Two writing samples, one in each language, one of which can be non-academic (minimum of 2 pages each in 12 point font, one-inch margins)
  • Certificate applicants: Two writing samples, one in each language, one of which can be non-academic (minimum of 2 pages each in 12 point font, one-inch margins)
• Note: Applicants lacking previous graduate coursework in languages should be prepared for a diagnostic examination during the application process.

International students must also submit the following materials. For more information about these materials, see the International Students section of the Admission Requirements website.

• International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form
• Supporting financial documentation (such as bank statements, scholarship or sponsor letters, etc.)
• Proof of English proficiency (such as official TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic/Duolingo* scores)
  • Translation and translation studies minimum TOEFL iBT score:
    • PhD applicants: 100
    • MA applicants: 95
  • Translation and translation studies minimum TOEFL Essentials score:
    • PhD applicants: 10.5
    • MA applicants: 10
  • Translation and translation studies minimum IELTS score:
    • PhD applicants: 7
    • MA applicants: 7
  • Translation and translation studies minimum PTE Academic score:
    • PhD applicants: 68
    • MA applicants: 65
  • Translation and translation studies minimum Duolingo score: 120
    • PhD applicants: 120
    • MA applicants: 115
  • *In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School at Binghamton University has temporarily approved the use of the Duolingo English Test as proof of English proficiency through the 2023 application cycle.

This information is subject to change. While we make every effort to update these program pages, we recommend that you contact the department with questions about program-specific requirements.

See certificate details.

Deadlines

For more information, visit the Translation Studies website.