CSULB launching master's degree to create human connections through language

As a translator for the Long Beach Unified School District, Alissa Garibay helps Spanish-speaking parents keep track of what is happening in their children’s school lives.

“I think it’s really important for parents to be involved in their students’ education, and a lot of times, what stops them is the language barrier,” Garibay said. “I attribute a lot of my success to the fact that the staff at my schools were always bilingual, and I don’t really know where I would have been if my parents weren’t involved.”

Garibay, Cal State Long Beach graduate student, is working toward a graduate certificate in translation studies alongside a master’s degree in Spanish. She is part of a growing number of students interested in using language to bridge communication gaps. The next addition is already approved: a Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting, the first of its kind in the CSU system, launches in the 2027-28 academic year.

The new degree is for people who want to use their language skills in roles where a human touch can help people communicate, whether through media or face-to-face. Future students may find themselves introducing international films and books to English-speaking audiences, improving large language models or being both the voice and ears for people communicating in different languages.

“Language expertise opens doors across many fields — from healthcare, courts, education, and government to media, accessibility and technology,” said Clorinda Donato, director of the Clorinda Donato Center for Global Romance Languages and Translation Studies.

“As AI changes how language work is done, we need professionals who can bring linguistic and cultural knowledge, sound judgment and a strong sense of responsibility to that work,” she continued. “Our program helps students turn their abilities into meaningful careers while helping communities communicate and participate more fully.”

'A new standard’

The Beach founded the Donato Center in 2017, and the master’s program received formal approval shortly before the fall term commenced. A major gift from supporter Mario Giannini helped establish the program and will also cover scholarships.

“I’m proud to have helped build a program that prepares students to shape the future of translation and interpreting,” Giannini said. “It combines rigorous professional preparation and deep linguistic and cultural expertise with thoughtful engagement with AI, equipping graduates to pair technological tools with sound human judgment. By offering this integrated training CSULB is setting a new standard for the profession.”

Translation and interpreting are distinct domains. The former requires a deep understanding of written languages. Source materials include engraved tablets, printed pages and illuminated pixels.  

Interpreters enable people speaking different languages to have a conversation, whether one-on-one or in a high-profile setting, like United Nations proceedings.

The new program is open to any language expertise, and current translation-focused students are working on short stories originally written in such languages as Arabic, Farsi and Korean. They also have access to technology helping them to analyze texts and the Donato Center is furnished with subtitling stations, giving students a place to practice translation for television, movies and video games.

For students taking the new interpreting track, the center has soundproofed booths for practicing how they would work during a live conference.

'Good feedback’

Christian Santos ‘25 minored in translation studies while completing a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. He is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Spanish while working as a medical interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients and their caregivers. His knowledge enables him to be a voice for his clients while helping them to obtain vital information.

Santos has broad interests and would welcome a chance to translate sports news or books. He is also developing a yearning to teach and looks to his time at The Beach as inspiring examples of the kind of instructor he would like to be.

“I think the most important skillset that an interpreter has is listening,” he said. “I feel like the professors that I’ve had that have been great listeners who have given me good feedback. I thank them. I praise them. I want to be like them.”