Become a Professional Healthcare Interpreter

Program Details

• AUDIENCE

  This program is designed for:

  • Those who speak English and at least one other language and who are looking to start or advance their career
  • Those working in healthcare or another industry that serves non-English-speaking customers or patients
  • Those responsible for ensuring your organization provides language-accessible services to all patients
• SCHEDULE, REGISTRATION & FEES

  Registration Dates

  Course	Dates	Registration
  Healthcare Interpreting	Sept. 8 - Dec. 15, 2025	Healthcare Interpreting Registration

  Course Details

  • Classes held on Mondays from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
  • Classes will be held virtually using Zoom
  • CSUSM Community Container will be used for online resources

  Fees

  • Program fee is $1,699
  • Online language assessment and textbooks are NOT included in the program fee

  Textbooks

  You should purchase the three required materials directly from Cross Cultural Communications. When you order, include the priority code: ACADEMIC20 to receive a 20% savings (tax and shipping charges apply). E-book options are available as well. 

  1. Medical Terminology for Interpreters (4th ed.): A Handbook
     Publisher: Culture & Language Press
     ISBN: 978-0-9966517-7-6
     $60.00
  2. Book: The Community Interpreter - An International Textbook
     Publisher: Culture & Language Press
     ISBN: 978-0-9823166-7-2
     $120.00
  3. Book: The Community Interpreter: An International Workbook of Activities and Role Plays
     Publisher: Culture & Language Press
     ISBN: 978-0-9966517-0-7
     $60

  Online Language Assessment

  Refer to FAQ section for information on the online language assessment requirement.

  Savings

  • CSUSM alumni and students receive a 15% savings (email professionaldevelopment@csusm.edu for your savings code)
  • MyCAA and WIOA funding approved
  • View veteran and military funding options

  Please note: All rates are subject to change without notice.

• ONLINE LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  Online Language Assessment Information

  Prior to taking the online language assessment, please contact the program coordinator, Chelsey Novak at cnovak@csusm.edu, with the following information.

  • The high school from which you graduated
  • The city, state, and country in which the high school is located
  • The primary language you spoke at the time of graduation
  • The secondary language you speak

  Do I have to take an online language proficiency assessment?

  Yes, each student must take an online language proficiency assessment.

  CSUSM has contracted with Language Training International, a ACTFL Language Testing Center, to administer the online language proficiency assessment. Exam fee is $108. It is encouraged that all students take their language assessment prior to starting the program. The following languages are currently available: Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese, Portuguese-Brazilian, Russian, Spanish, and Tagalog.  If additional languages are requested or there are questions about the exam, please email professionaldevelopment@csusm.edu.

  Students must pass their exams with a rating of Advanced Mid-Level.  REGISTER FOR YOUR EXAM directly with Language Training International.

  CSUSM does not schedule these exams.

  • View tips for taking the ACTFEL Proficiency Test
  • Watch a walkthrough of the Remotely Proctored Language Assessments offered by LTI
• COURSE TOPICS

  This 14-week program is designed to provide the basics of healthcare interpreting for bilingual participants who speak English and any additional language. The program covers ethics, skills and protocols required of interpreters. Class discussions and content cover the various modes of interpretation, codes of ethics and standards of practice required for aspiring healthcare interpreters.

  The program uses the comprehensive learning content and materials developed by Cross-Cultural Communications (CCC), a program recognized nationally and internationally for healthcare interpreters in the United States.

  Additional topics covered in the course include: positioning, terminology, steps for sight translation, intervention strategies and scripting, cultural mediation and other vital skills and protocols. Content is designed to include decision-making tools to help you make on-the-spot judgment calls in your daily work environment. The dynamic classroom experience of this course includes role-playing, individual and group activities rooted in real-world practice and immediate job application and relevance.

• INSTRUCTORS

  Maribeth Bandas is a seasoned educator with experience in Spanish language instruction and translation who is especially committed to teaching Healthcare Interpreting. Currently, she serves as a Healthcare Interpreting Instructor through Extended Learning at CSUSM, where she designs and leads courses that focus on medical terminology, ethical standards, and effective communication in clinical and educational settings. Maribeth also teaches a CTE pathway in Translation & Interpretation for Spanish/English speakers at San Marcos High School, connecting graduating seniors with opportunities to use their considerable bilingual skills in their community.

  In addition to her current roles, Maribeth has taught Spanish at prestigious institutions such as The George Washington University, The World Bank, Georgetown University, and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes interactive learning and cultural awareness, incorporating role-playing and collaborative activities to enhance student engagement and performance.

  Maribeth holds a Master of Philosophy in Human Sciences/Translation Studies from The George Washington University, a Master of Arts in Iberian and Latin American Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Certificate in Translation from Georgetown University.

  “Professionally trained interpreters provide accurate, confidential and cost-saving support to the organizations and institutions that employ them. Effective communication reduces medical errors, increases patient satisfaction, saves costs on unnecessary testing and much more.”

  If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and expertise with our students, consider submitting an instructor application or course proposal for consideration.  Please contact Cathy Scavone at cscavone@csusm.edu or 760-750-8706 for more information.

• FAQ

  Are there any prerequisites?

  Each student must take an online language proficiency assessment.

  Prior to taking the online language assesment, please contact our Coordinator Chelsey Novak at cnovak@csusm.edu with the following information.

  • The high school from which you graduated
  • The city, state, and country in which the high school is located
  • The primary language you graduated in
  • The secondary language you speak

  Do I have to take an online language proficiency assessment?

  Yes, each student must take an online language proficiency assessment

  CSUSM has contracted with Language Training International, a ACTFL Language Testing Center, to administer the online language proficiency assessment. Exam fee is $108. It is encouraged that all students take their language assessment prior to starting the program. The following languages are currently available: Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese, Portuguese-Brazilian, Russian, Spanish and Tagalog.

  If additional languages are requested or there are questions about the exam, please email professionaldevelopment@csusm.edu.

  Students must pass their exams with a score of Advanced Mid-Level score. REGISTER FOR YOUR EXAM  directly with Language Training International.  CSUSM does not schedule these exams.

  • View tips for taking the ACTFEL Proficiency Test
  • Watch a walkthrough of the Remotely Proctored Language Assessments offered by LTI

  What does a healthcare interpreter do?

  Interpreters are skilled at converting meaning from one spoken language to another. Healthcare (or medical) interpreters and translators have an important role in facilitating communication for non-English-speaking patients and family members because they allow doctors, nurses and other medical staff to communicate effectively and accurately with their patients. Healthcare interpreters must be sensitive to patients’ personal circumstances and maintain high levels of confidentiality and ethical standards.

  Healthcare Interpreters are often found in a variety of healthcare-related settings such as hospitals, clinics, private practice, specialty care clinics, pharmacies, occupational therapy sites and community resource departments, and they may be employed in roles such as front office, in-room assistants, technicians and other medical staff. Interpreters may work in departments such as diabetes education, urgent or acute care, doctor’s visits, health fairs, physical therapy, women’s or pediatric services.

  Will I be certified if I pass the class?

  After you successfully attend all course sessions, pass the two-hour written assessment and provide documentation of passing the individual language proficiency exam, you will be qualified as a healthcare interpreter and you will receive a Professional Certificate in Healthcare Interpreting from California State University San Marcos. You may use proof of successfully passing the classroom training and language proficiency exam if you choose to apply for the national certification exam for medical interpreters through the National Board for Certified Medical Interpreters or Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters.

  National Certification Websites:

  • www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org
  • www.cchicertification.org

  What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.

  How can I be considered for an instructor position or send in a course proposal?

  Thank you for your interest in becoming an instructor!  Please contact Cathy Scavone (cscavone@csusm.edu) to receive an application and course proposal form.

  How often do I need to come to campus for classes?

  Students are typically asked to come to campus two evenings per week for classes.

Extended Learning