Medical Interpreting
Certificate
Stand Out in your calling.
AUGUST 24
NEXT START
Be prepared for the NBCMI or CCHI certification exams.
15
CREDIT PROGRAM
With 8-week courses, you will complete the program in just 2 semesters.
ONLINE
COURSEWORK
Unique opportunity to work with your instructor and classmates 100% online.
$220
COST PER CREDIT
Earn your certificate from a distinguished institution for an affordable price.
Why Northwestern?
Why Northwestern?
Why Northwestern?
Northwestern’s online Medical Interpreting Certificate program equips fully bilingual English-Spanish speakers with the professional skills needed to pass certifying exams such as the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) or Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) in just two semesters. Designed for working adults and busy professionals, our 100% online program offers the flexibility, structure, and support to help you succeed in medical interpreting settings such as facilitating medical conversations between non-English speakers and nurses, doctors or other medical professionals.
At Northwestern, you will be part of one of the only online cohort-based programs and will complete the program in just 2 semesters. Be prepared to excel in this high-demand field.
Please note: Students must be fully bilingual in English and Spanish to be eligible for this program.
Interpreters are in high demand.
Certified medical interpreters are in high demand and play a vital role in health care. By facilitating clear, ethical communication between providers and non-English-speaking patients, they improve patient comfort and outcomes. Earning certification opens the door to flexible, meaningful, and rewarding interpreting opportunities.
“The interpreting programs are designed to develop the skills necessary to perform sight translation, consecutive, and simultaneous interpretation at the professional level. The online format allows students to take charge of their learning experience and practice at their own pace. Professor Piet Koene’s interpreting skills are the gold standard in our community and he’s an excellent teacher.” Weston | Interpreting Certificate
Meet your instructor
Meet your instructor
Meet your instructor
You’ll study under Piet Koene, a distinguished leader in both legal and medical interpreting. Piet brings decades of real-world experience to the virtual classroom, including his work as a federally certified court interpreter, state-certified court interpreter in both Iowa and Minnesota, and a nationally certified medical interpreter. Piet is widely respected for his commitment to excellence in interpreter education.
Piet’s leadership and experience have shaped both a rigorous and relevant interpreting program. Not only will students be prepared to pass the certification exam, but they will thrive as professionals in the field. Learn more about Piet’s work and his expertise by following the link below.
Application requirements
Application requirements
Application requirements
No admission tests. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
No admission tests. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
No admission tests. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
High school diploma or college credits
Official transcripts showing a completed high school diploma or at least 9 completed college credits.
Send official transcripts to [email protected] or
Northwestern College
Graduate & Professional Studies
101 7th St SW
Orange City, IA 51041
GPA requirements
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Bilingual verification
Complete a bilingual language verification conversation with the program director.
Program specifics
Program specifics
Program specifics
15 credit program
15 credit program
15 credit program
SPA371 - Medical Interpreting I: Practice & Translation
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course introducing the students to the complex field of medical interpreting. The first of four courses, students will become familiar with the three interpreting modes - sight-translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting - and will then focus on sight-translation; in addition, students will also learn the methods, techniques and problems involved in written medical translation. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the T&I program as demonstrated by a high level of fluency in both English and Spanish.
SPA372 - Medical Interpreting II: Practice & Ethics
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the introductory course for the complex field of medical interpreting. The second of four courses, students will focus on consecutive interpreting, involving extensive note-taking and memory skills; in addition, students will also learn the intricacies of ethics for medical interpreters. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature. Prerequisite: SPA371.
SPA373 - Medical Interpreting III: Practice & Technology
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the first two
courses for the complex field of medical interpreting. The third of four courses, students will focus on the highly complicated skill of simultaneous interpreting (involving input and output at the same time) and continue their practice of consecutive interpreting; in addition, students will also learn about the different technologies and remote interpreting platforms
that professional medical interpreters use. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature. Prerequisite: SPA372.
SPA374 - Medical Interpreting IV: Practice & The Profession
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the previous
courses for the complex field of medical interpreting. The fourth of four courses, students will consolidate their skills of sight-translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting as they prepare for certification exams; in addition, students will also learn about the intricacies and challenges of working as a professional, certified medical interpreter. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA373.
Faculty + staff
Brilliant scholars. Committed Christians. Invested in you. That’s Northwestern’s faculty.
