JOHNSON CITY (April 27, 2010) – Data from the previous U.S. census, collected in 2000, indicated that 21.4 million Americans are less than proficient in speaking English. Also, the need for interpreters is growing faster than the average for all occupations, due to a strong demand in health care settings as well as work related to Homeland Security.

To meet the increasing need for professionally trained bilingual individuals, the Department of Foreign Languages at East Tennessee State University will begin offering the Graduate Certificate in Health Care Translation and Interpreting, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The program will begin this fall and has been approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

The curriculum involves 12 credit hours earned through four courses focused on translation, interpreting and medical terminology.

Students will be able to gain hands-on experience at the Johnson City Downtown Clinic, Johnson City Medical Center or the Northeast Tennessee Regional Health Office. In addition, the program will prepare them for a national certification exam to be instituted this year.

Admission to ETSU through the School of Graduate Studies is required for entrance into the program, along with an essay; a telephonic speaking and listening assessment in two languages including English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Spanish; and an onsite written exam. For further details, visit www.etsu.edu/gradstud/admissions.asp.

For more information about the new graduate certificate, contact Dr. Ardis Nelson of the ETSU Department of Foreign Languages at (423) 439-8342 or nelsona@etsu.edu.