Master of Science in Translation and Interpreting

Connect the World through Translation and Interpreting

The online Master's (MS) in Translation and Interpreting offered by the NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media prepares you for a range of fulfilling careers, whether you are interested in business translation, medical translation, legal translation, literary translation, transcreation, localization, or project management.

This comprehensive online program provides students with the best of both worlds—the convenience and flexibility of learning on your own terms and at your own pace, while benefiting from a rigorous curriculum, a variety of elective courses tailored to your interests, and the prestige of earning your master’s degree at NYU, one of the world's most respected universities.

Connect the World through Translation and Interpreting

Tuition*

$2,785 Per credit 
$27,562 Per term (10-12 credits)

# of Credits

36 credits

Study Options

Online
Fall | Spring
Full-time | Part-time

 

Minimum Duration

15 months

*See NYU Bursar site for more info. 

9%

job growth 2024-2034

$76.2K

median salary

95%

working and/or in school

1,294

Global Center for Publishing, Writing and Media alumni

A man leans against a window with a tablet in his hands while looking into the distance

[1] Lightcast 2025
[2] Lightcast 2025
[3] NYU Life Beyond the Square: School of Professional Studies Graduate Class of 2024
[4] as of 1/2024

Why This Degree?

Fully Online

This flexible, asynchronous format allows opportunities to engage with faculty members and other students at regular intervals.

A Strong Foundation

You can study translation from any language into English. Our curriculum covers both written translation and oral interpreting best practices. From here, you will have the opportunity to work in a wide range of disciplines including law, science, literary translation, social work, and more.

 

Tailored to Your Goals

Customize your learning experience with our elective courses and real-world translation projects. 

 

Path Toward Credentialing

Prepare for the American Translators Association (ATA) Certification Exam, a language industry-recognized credential.

 

Expert Faculty

Learn translation and interpreting skills from and network with senior professionals in your field.

 

Designed for Your Schedule

Both full- and part-time study options are available

What You’ll Study

Core Curriculum

Core courses cover the major fields and foundations of the language professions, including translation theory and practice, editing and revision, translation technology, terminology management, and principles of interpreting. 

Electives

Elective courses are designed to prepare students for multiple career paths, including legal and financial translation, literary translation, transcreation, website localization, machine translation, and project management. 

 

Thesis Project / Capstone

In their final semester, students pursue a substantial translation or localization project, research paper, or a combination of the two.

 

Where You’ll Go

A wide range of career paths are open to graduates from NYU.

Where Our Alumni Work
  • AARP
  • Amazon
  • American Airlines
  • Bank of China
  • Centers Plan for Healthy Living
  • CQ Fluency
  • Drame Translation Services
  • Empire Interpreting Service
  • ESPN
  • JNL Consulting
  • Language Scientific
  • New York City Ballet
  • One Plus
  • R.R. Donnelley
  • Self-employed
  • Starwood Hotels
  • US Department of Defense
  • US Department of State
  • Yale University
What Our Alumni Do
  • Translator
  • Interpreter
  • Compliance Office
  • Data Scientist
  • Licensed Social Worker
  • Founder
  • Freelance
  • Legal Assistant
  • Web Developer

The above data is sourced from Lightcast

Spring 2026

Deadlines

Round

Deadline

Decision Release

Priority

August 1, 2025

October 15, 2025

Regular

October 1, 2025

November 15, 2025

Final

November 15, 2025

December 20, 2025

Priority

Deadline

Decision Release

August 1, 2025

October 15, 2025

Regular

Deadline

Decision Release

October 1, 2025

November 15, 2025

Final

Deadline

Decision Release

November 15, 2025

December 20, 2025

Fall 2026

Deadlines

Round

Deadline

Decision Release

Priority 1

November 1, 2025

December 15, 2025

Priority 2

January 15, 2026

April 1, 2026

Regular

May 1, 2026

June 15, 2026

Final

July 1, 2026

July 15, 2026

Priority 1

Deadline

Decision Release

November 1, 2025

December 15, 2025

Priority 2

Deadline

Decision Release

January 15, 2026

April 1, 2026

Regular

Deadline

Decision Release

May 1, 2026

June 15, 2026

Final

Deadline

Decision Release

July 1, 2026

July 15, 2026

Real World Experiences

Gain hands-on experience—and a comprehensive portfolio of translation projects—that will set you apart.
A screenshot of four NYU SPS students collaborating via a Zoom meeting.
Capstone to Career: An Applied Thesis Project

Students are paired with a thesis adviser as they work to complete a translation or research-based project, resulting in a compelling, substantive work example.

Learn More About Capstone
A screenshot of a 4x4 grid containing sixteen individuals attending a Zoom meeting from across the globe.
Online Community: Speakers, Events, and Collaborations

This program combines the flexibility of asynchronous learning with opportunities to form deep and lasting bonds with students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders through compelling online programming.

Learn More About How You'll Learn
A graphical representation of the modern state of interpretation and translation that includes many languages (English, Italian,  Deutsch, Française etc.) superimposed over a human typing at a keybard.
Learn the Latest

From CAT tools to AI, students have access to the latest technologies and frequent forums on new advances with industry leaders ensure graduates are poised to stay ahead of the curve.

Members of the NYU SPS community engage with locals during an outdoor event as part of a global excursion.
Global Excursions, Networking, and Affiliations

Our program affiliations—including the American Translators Association (ATA), the Global & Localization Association (GALA), and more—provide important opportunities for students to connect and network.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

A master's degree in translation and interpreting is a graduate-level academic program designed to provide students and working professionals with advanced training in the fields of translation and interpreting. The New York University SPS MS in Translation and Interpreting online program is intended for students with proficiency in at least one language in addition to English and who seek to develop specialized skill sets in translating written texts and interpreting spoken communication.

 

Once you've completed your MS in Translation & Interpreting, available jobs range from translation and localization to publishing and project management. Whether in law, finance, advertising, or intergovernmental agencies, the great need for translators is creating rewarding freelance and employment opportunities.

 

Translators are in high demand across many languages given the global market for these professionals. The MS in Translation & Interpreting is open to applicants who wish to study translation from any language into English. The curriculum features terminology, research, revision, technology, and professionalization skills along with language-specific guidance.

 

The Master’s in Translation and Interpreting has integrated forward-looking perspectives on AI throughout its curriculum, including in particular the core courses in Translation Technologies and The Language Professions and electives from Transcreation & Marketing Translation to Patent Translation to Machine Translation Post-Editing

 

The teaching of up-to-date technologies and inclusive AI is a significant component of our program’s learning outcomes and student achievements. Students practice using a wide variety of technologies that are provided as licenses during the program’s coursework in order to be ready for existing and emerging opportunities in the profession.

 

While AI technologies have made significant advancements in the digital age, they are not likely to replace human translators any time soon. This is because, unlike a professional human translator, AI struggles with nuance, cultural understanding, humor, and creative expression. The future of translation and the language services industry is likely a collaborative one, with human translators and AI working together to provide accurately translated content. We also hold events about AI in the Professions.

 

Having a master’s degree sets you apart and shortens the path to success in this rewarding career. Almost half of translators and interpreters surveyed by the American Translators Association hold master’s degrees. The MS in Translation & Interpreting program prepares its students for dynamic careers as highly skilled translators and language specialists.

 

Many of our students take the American Translators Association (ATA) Certification Exam, which is a 3-hour, test-based credential and an advantageous addition to your resume. By the end of the MS in Translation & Interpreting program, graduates translate at a level that meets the ILR skill descriptions for professional performance.

Translators work with written texts, while interpreters work with the spoken word. Students benefit from exposure to both practices, even though most professionals specialize in either translation or interpreting. In this program, students learn advanced strategies for translating complex documents and gain a foundation in the principles of interpreting.

Options for financing the MS in Translation & Interpreting degree include Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarships, private loan options, employer or veterans’ benefits, and New York University payment plans. We encourage students to explore the NYU SPS resources page on Graduate Financial Aid to find more information on financial aid and scholarships.

 

The Master of Science in Translation and Interpreting at New York University was the first program to offer students a fully online degree in this discipline and has done so since 2012. We are also the only program to offer translation from any source language into English. Students will receive language-specific guidance in independent studies and the thesis project. We also designed the curriculum with the understanding that many translators and interpreters work in multiple language pairs. Our focus is on core skills in research, terminology, revision, technology, and professionalization to support translation from any language, along with the widest range of electives available.

 

Cost, Time, and Flexibility

The NYU SPS Admissions team carefully weighs each component of your application during the admissions review process to evaluate your ability to benefit from and contribute to the dynamic learning environment and the challenging curriculum that the NYU School of Professional Studies offers.

Visit the NYU SPS Graduate Application Requirements and Deadlines page for additional information about our admission requirements. Applicants to the MS in Translation and Interpreting should also take the ACTFL Proficiency Test.

The NYU SPS MS in Translation and Interpreting program usually takes three semesters to complete as a full-time student and two to four years to complete as a part-time student.

A master’s degree is the gold standard credential in the language professions. The decision to pursue a Master’s of Science in Translation and Interpreting depends on your career goals and interests. Meet with professionals in the field and current students to gather insights and learn how completing an online graduate program in translation and interpreting can help you fulfill your aspirations.

Translators' wages vary depending on several factors such as the specialization in which they work and their experience, work structure (freelance vs. salaried), and clientele. For example, salaried professionals working in advertising or computer systems design make $91,390 to $106,540 per year on average, while those working in elementary schools or local government make $56,490 to $63,680 per year on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Freelance language professionals can make into the six figures, according to the American Translators Association.

The demand for translation services can vary depending on factors such as geographic location, industries, and global economic trends. However, certain languages are consistently in high demand due to their widespread use in international business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic are examples of in-demand languages for translation services. Translators in other languages can specialize and succeed as well. The NYU SPS program has trained students in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and many others, including languages of lesser diffusion.

Our faculty and students report that translation careers are joyful, creative, and rewarding. Being a translator can be challenging, and the level of stress varies like any job, but translation is ultimately a fulfilling career that leverages your multilingual skills. As many translators and interpreters are self-employed, you will also have options to take control of your career. The NYU Master’s program in Translation & Interpreting helps students track toward freelance or full-time employment based on your personal situation and preferences.

To start a career in translation, it's crucial to be fluent in at least two languages. From there, you can obtain a formal education to build your foundation and establish yourself as a professional in the field.

The time it takes to become a translator can vary. Many translators start their profession by earning a bachelor's degree in any field and then pursue a Master’s degree in Translation & Interpreting to dive into a specialization of their interest.