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LEGAL INTERPRETER TRAINING PROGRAM

 

New Cohort (fall 2011)
Information and Application materials
go to the NEW MARIE website:

www.unco.edu/marie

The Legal Interpreter Training Program (LITP) is a 4-semester program of specialized coursework designed for ASL-English interpreters who wish to work in the legal system of the United States. This specialized course of study prepares interpreters to meet the employment standards of the many state Judicial Systems. The program includes three knowledge courses about the Legal System, Civil and Criminal Law. The fourth course concentrates on skills development and includes a practicum.

The Legal Interpreter Training Program (LITP) will accept applications on a course by course basis. 
Interested candidates will have the opportunity to enroll in individual courses offered in the LITP series,
providing they meet admissions requirements of the program and the pre-requisites of the specific course of interest.

COURSES


Online Orientation class ($100):
Offered via Blackboard in August 2011


INTR 480/580
Overview of Interpreting in the American Legal System (4 credit hours)
This course establishes the principles and protocol associated with interpreting in the legal context and explores best practices associated with interpreting in the American judicial system.

INTR 481/58
Introduction to Civil Litigation (3 credit hours)
This course provides a foundation in civil law by following the procedures in a civil matter from the time of a complaint through the appeals process and the implications of each step for interpretation.

INTR 482/582
Introduction to Criminal Law (4 credit hours)
This course provides a foundation in criminal law. The criminal judicial process is examined to determine the unique procedures associated with each stage and the implications for interpretation.

INTR 483/583
Skills Development For Interpreting In The Legal Context (4 credit hours)
This skills course involves the interpretation of frozen legal texts (such as jury instructions and various legal/courtroom forms), the interpretation of client-attorney interviews, and the interpretation of direct and cross examination. The skills are applied during a supervised practicum by a qualified legal mentor.

CONSIDERATIONS

  • Typically these programs run in 2 year cycles using a cohert model. 
  • Students already accepted in the program can pick up necessary classes without reapplying. Contact Amy Kroll at amy.kroll@unco.edu for specifics.
  • Specific courses do have pre-requisites that will be important to note. For example, you cannot take INTR 483:  Internship: Skills Development for Legal Interpreters without successfully completing INTR 481 & INTR 482.  
HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lectures by nationally known experts in legal interpreting

  • 4 semesters of online courses tailored to the work of legal interpreters

  • Distance mentoring with nationally certified legal interpreters

  • 55 hour supervised practicum with onsite experiences in Denver area courtrooms or in your home community

  • 15 undergraduate credits from the University of Northern Colorado

  • 22.5 RID CEUs

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

After completing this program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the American legal system and the legal foundation upon which it is based.
  • Track a felony matter from investigation through the trial process.
  • Track a civil matter from the initial complaint phase through the trial process.
  • Discuss the scope and jurisdiction of various federal and state courts.
  • Identify and discuss the characteristics of legal language and the implication of these characteristics for the interpretation process.
  • Discuss the legal foundation that provides deaf, hard of hearing and non-English speaking individuals with interpreting services during civil and criminal court procedures.
  • Discuss the role of an interpreter in various aspects of the American judicial system.
  • Discuss the use and role of interpreting teams in the American judicial system.
  • Analyze a series of legal texts for the purpose of determining the function and meaning of the text.
  • Generate an accurate and reliable interpretation of a series of legal texts taken from both criminal and civil proceedings for discussion and analysis with a supervising mentor.
  • Discuss the quality and accuracy of interpretation work generated directly and/or observed directly.
  • Identify and discuss the strategies and techniques that foster effective interpretation within the legal system.
  • Discuss the principles and protocol associated with interpreting in the judicial system.
  • Analyze ethical dilemmas and apply ethical standards and practices to the discussion of case studies involving interpreters performing services within the American judicial system.
  • Create a plan of continued professional development related to interpreting in the American judicial system.

Participants in this program must have the following:

  • Access to a local court system for observations
  • Internet access with highest speed possible
  • Email address
  • Windows XP or higher
  • Microsoft Office 7
  • Access to a DVD player
  • Access to a DVD digital camcorder for taping skills work during the distance mentoring course component (we recommend the FLIP camera)
  • Availability to participate in a one-week onsite practicum during final semester (at your own expense) or make arrangements for a home community based practicum


Costs for the 2011- 2012 Legal Interpreter Training Program are pending:

Future costs will be influenced by University and State policy.

.

Candidates interested in enrolling in specific coursework(s) must complete and submit all application materials below. Candidates will be notified of acceptance status within six weeks of the application deadline dates.


We will begin accepting applications for the Fall 2011 cohort in the spring of 2011.
UNC
  
     
 

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Contact: DO IT Center
Last Updated: February 2011