- Website & Logo of the Carnegie Mellon University
- Introduction
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The campus of CMU spans 157 acres and includes state-of-the-art facilities for learning and research. The university is known for its innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, with a history of producing groundbreaking technologies and startups. CMU also has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and it offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations and cultural events. The university’s alumni include notable figures in various fields, such as Nobel Prize winners, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the arts and sciences. CMU continues to be a leading institution for higher education and research, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation.
- Students’ Campus
Location
CMU’s campus is nestled in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, a city known for its rich cultural scene, technology and education hubs, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Pittsburgh offers a unique blend of industrial history and modern innovation, providing students with a vibrant backdrop for their college experience.
Campus Life
Life at CMU is dynamic and diverse, with students coming from all over the world to engage in academic pursuits and campus activities. The campus is a hub for innovation and creativity, with numerous student organizations and events that cater to a variety of interests. Students can participate in undergraduate research, study abroad programs, and engage with the community through service and leadership opportunities.
Visiting Campus
CMU welcomes visitors to explore its urban campus and get a feel for the Tartan experience. Prospective students and their families can take virtual tours, attend information sessions, and engage with the campus community to learn more about what CMU has to offer.
- Master of Arts in Global Communication &Applied Translation
The Master of Arts in Global Communication & Applied Translation (GCAT) is a three-semester program that provides students with training in the principles and practices of professional translation, localization and global communication. Students will build expertise through coursework in theories and approaches to translation, cross-linguistic and cross-cultural analysis, computer-assisted technologies, and field-specific domains; project-based collaborations; and internships.
An interdisciplinary effort from the Department of English and Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics, the GCAT program is uniquely situated at Carnegie Mellon University. A vibrant global university, the campus is an interdisciplinary learning community of individuals from numerous countries, known for its innovation and impact on the world.
- Application Requirements
Applications for graduate programs are accepted online. Applicants will create a user ID and password allowing them access the application as often as needed to complete the process. The application portal includes detailed instructions for entering data and uploading documents. Along with basic information entered directly into the system, graduate program applicants will need the following:
Statement of Interest
Resume or Curriculum Vita
Letters of Recommendation
Transcripts
Writing Samples
IELTS/ TOEFL Standardized Test Requirements
GRE Standardized Test Requirements
- Basic Application Fee: $75(Current CMU students, alumni and staff do not pay a fee)
- Curriculum
Languages
Students may pair any of the available target languages with English translation:
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
German
Japanese
Russian
Spanish
Students may study translation from their native language (or language of highest proficiency) into English as the Target Language. Or, students may study translation from English as the Source Language into one’s native language as the Target Language.
Courses
The coursework in Master of Arts in Global Communication & Applied Translation combine a collection of core classes focusing on the theory and practice of translation work as well as a selection of electives.
Fall Semester I
Introduction to Translation: Theories and Approaches – 9 Units
Translation Technologies (taught by a professional translator who is an expert in using translation technologies and keeps up with new technologies) – 9 Units
Translation Workshop I (core workshop + language-specific meetings + breakout sessions on translation areas of specialization) – 9 Units
List A Elective (in the target language) – 9 Units
Translation as a Profession (career preparation seminar) – 3 Units
Total Units: 39
Spring Semester I
Cultural Adaptability Course (Language and Culture, or Communicating in a Global Marketplace, or Language, Diversity and Cultural Identity, or Theories of International Relations) – 9 Units
Style or Rhetorical Grammar or Argument or approved toolkit course – 9 Units
Translation Workshop II (core workshop + language-specific meetings + breakout sessions on translation areas of specialization) – 9 Units
List B Elective (in the topic area: technical and scientific, literary, business, audiovisual and media, or healthcare) – 9 Units
Translation as a Profession (career preparation seminar) – 3 Units
Total Units: 39
Summer Semester
Translation Internship
Fall Semester II
Translation Workshop III: Issues in Large Scale Translation (project course, client-based, multilingual projects that support skill development in supervision and coordination (core workshop + language-specific meetings + breakout sessions on translation areas of specialization) – 18 Units
List A Elective (in the target language) – 9 Units
List B Elective (in the topic area: technical and scientific, literary, business, audiovisual and media, or healthcare; in a cultural context) – 9 Units
Translation as a Profession (career preparation seminar) – 3 Units
Total Units: 39
- Tuition Costs and Funding Opportunities
Graduate Students are responsible for the following costs for the program:
| Fall #1 | Spring #1 | Fall #2 | TOTALS | |
| Tuition | $24,280 | $24,280 | ~$24,765 | ~$73,325 |
| Student Activities Fee | $114 | $114 | ~$115 | ~$343 |
| Transportation Fee | $125 | $125 | ~$130 | ~$380 |
| Technology Fee | $225 | $225 | ~$230 | ~$680 |
| BASE TOTAL | $24,744 | $24,744 | ~$25,240 | ~$74,728 |
| Max Scholarship | ($11,750) | ($11,750) | ~($11,750) | ~($35,250) |
| NET TOTAL | $12,994 | $12,994 | ~$13,490 | ~$39,478 |
Note: Tuition and other Costs for upcoming Academic Years have not yet been determined by the University. As such, all figures preceded by a “~” are estimates subject to change.
Scholarships:
Students accepted into the GCAT master’s program will be considered for a competitive program scholarship. No additional scholarship application is required.
Research Assistantships (RA-ships)
Who is eligible: All graduate students are eligible to apply for all positions.
Amount: $17/hour
If accepted applicants choose to join the program, they will have the opportunity to apply for additional financial support through paid research assistantships. Graduate students work with faculty members on a wide array of assignments designed to supplement their coursework and to give them valuable professional experience. These positions generally involve 5-10 hours of work per week at $17/hour. Available positions are generally advertised to incoming students at the beginning of each fall term. While there is no guarantee of an RA-ship, the majority of English graduate students typically hold such a position at some point during their time in the program.
- Careers and Placement for Graduates
Department of English graduates go on to work for companies like Apple, Microsoft, Time Warner, Hewlett Packard, Paramount Studios, Google, Salesforce, Oracle and Fulbright. Others continue their education in graduate programs at top institutions, including Columbia University, the Art Institute of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Michigan.
Translators are key players in diverse multicultural teams, facilitators of knowledge transfers for solving key problems and communicators in highly sensitive situations. There has never been a more important time to offer this innovative master’s program.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, rapid growth is predicted for the translation, localization and interpretation industry in the coming years, with a projected employment increase of 17% for 2016-2026, much faster than the average.
In a rapidly globalizing world, professionals capable of bridging gaps and facilitating interactions among different cultures, languages and fields are more needed than ever. The GCAT master’s program provides students with the tools, both theoretical and practical, for careers helping organizations navigate this dynamic marketplace.