Court Interpreter Training Institute (CITI)

Registration for the 2024 CITI is now open! 

We now have a payment plan available!

About the CITI

The ​CITI ​is ​an ​intensive ​professional ​development ​program ​for Spanish/English ​legal ​interpreters. Interpretation is both an art and a science, requiring very specialized training. Our federally certified and highly experienced instructors, combined with our extensive curriculum, offer a level of quality not easily matched. The CITI is committed to providing students with individual attention. The CITI program is also an ideal way to prepare for both the written and oral portions of the State or Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE).

The CITI is now a fully online program, combining asynchronous and synchronous instruction to maximize its impact. Starting May 20, the CITI will begin with four weeks of webinars and online exercises (about 10-15 hours/week of work) followed by two weeks of intensive, online instruction (roughly 40 hours/week).  Below you’ll find more details about the CITI time commitment and a sample schedule to review.  The 2024 CITI will provide 120 total hours of specialized interpreter training. 

 

View Testimonials

Application Process

APPLY NOW

Online application is fast, secure and convenient with our online ordering system. NCI can receive payment only by credit card, debit card, or pre-paid cards. Checks or cash are not accepted.

Important Deadlines
  • Deadline to apply to the CITI: May 13, 2024
  • Deadline to pay CITI deposit: 30 days after acceptance
  • Deadline to pay CITI tuition balance: May 16, 2024
  • CITI program starts: May 20, 2024
Application and Tuition Costs
  • Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable)
  • CITI Deposit: $295 (non-refundable)
  • CITI Tuition Balance: $2500
    Payment Plan Available!
Technical Requirements
  • Desktop or laptop with video capability or webcam
  • Good internet connection
  • Headset/ear buds that include a microphone (do not rely on built-in mic and speakers!)
  • A device to record audio (your phone works just fine)

Objective of the CITI

  • First and foremost, to improve participants' interpreting proficiency.
  • To provide maximum time-on-task to increase the benefit gained from practice sessions and critiques with instructors.
  • To provide diagnostic testing at the start and end of each institute so that participants can see how their language and interpreting skills have improved.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must provide the following three documents to ensure that they possess a sufficient level of bilingualism and interpreting/translating experience to benefit from the CITI:

  1. Letter of Interest
    Applicants must submit a letter of interest indicating why they want to attend the CITI.  The letter should also describe how the applicants acquired their bilingualism and what kind of experience they have had with interpreting or translating.
  2. Résumé
    Applicants must submit a current résumé.  The résumé should highlight the applicants’ language experience and any interpreting or translating credentials earned.
  3. Letter of Recommendation OR Other Supporting Document
    Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a current employer, volunteer coordinator, recent educator, or other professional with knowledge of the applicants’ interpreting/translation experience or ability. The letter should include a description of the applicants’ bilingual skills in a professional context.  This requirement may also be met by submitting a copy of a relevant degree or certificate, an interpreting or translation certification, a results letter from a certification test, or a similar document.  Please contact us to discuss options if you'd like! ncitrp@arizona.edu

Program Details

The 2024 CITI runs May 20 - June 28. 

May 20-25, 2024:  CITI Orientation and Diagnostic Pre-Testing

  • There is a live introductory meeting on May 20, 5-7pm Pacific Time.  Between May 21 and May 25, there will be a couple of options for taking the diagnostic pre-test in the evening.  

May 23-June 15, 2024:  A series of live webinars taught by highly experienced federally certified court interpreters to introduce techniques and terminology, coupled with online interpreting exercises and extensive peer review.  In addition, a series of pre-recorded lectures coupled with live Q&A sessions will be held (approximately 10-15 hours/week).

  • From May 23 through June 15, there are webinars scheduled for Thursdays 5-8pm Pacific Time and Saturdays 10am-1pm Pacific.  These are live, but will be recorded so you can catch up in case you have to miss one.  You’ll also have about 4+ hours/week on self-paced online exercises.  In weeks three and four, the amount of online work will increase, but you'll still be able to address it as your schedule permits. 

June 17-28, 2024:  Intensive instruction and interpreting practice with instructors and fellow students on simultaneous and consecutive interpreting and sight translation techniques and strategies (approximately 40 hours/week).

  • From June 17-28, CITI gets much more intensive, requiring about 40 hours/week of work.  M-F, you should expect to be online most of the day (with scheduled breaks) for live work, which will be combined with additional online work to be completed on your schedule.  The lab work you'll do during this time will not be recorded; you need to attend it live.  

This Sample CITI Schedule will give you a clear sense  of the time commitment for the 2024 CITI.

Sample CITI Schedule

There is a $50 Application Fee for 2024 CITI.  Upon acceptance, the total tuition is $2795.

There are a few steps in the payment process for the CITI:

  • $50 Application Fee:  When you apply, there is a $50 non-refundable application fee (note that this fee is being waived for all applications submitted prior to January 1, 2024).
  • $295 Deposit:  Upon acceptance to the program, there is a $295 non-refundable deposit that needs to be paid within 30 days of your acceptance.
  • The remaining tuition balance is $2500.  You have two options to pay this balance.
    1. You can pay the balance in full any time before May 16, 2024
      OR
    2. You can take advantage of our new Payment Plan! 

Once you’ve been accepted for the 2024 CITI and paid the deposit, you can pay the remaining tuition balance through five payments of $500 at your convenience.  Here are the deadlines for each payment:

  • Payment #1:  May 16, 2024
  • Payment #2:  May 24, 2024
  • Payment #3:  May 31, 2024
  • Payment #4:  June 7, 2024
  • Payment #5:  June 14, 2024

Each payment must be made by the deadline.  If it is not, you will be dropped from the program. 

You will not receive a certificate of completion for the CITI unless all payments are completed on time. 

Per NCI refund policy, all payments made after 5/13 are non-refundable. 

Because the CITI is professional development rather than a traditional credit-bearing university course, the usual sources of college financial aid don’t apply.  However, Arizona residents may be able to take advantage of job training funds through this program:

Arizona WIOA Funding

  • Arizona residents may be eligible for funding through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Learn more by contacting your local Arizona One-Stop Service Center.  Residents of other states may also inquire at their local One-Stop Service Center to see if they are eligible in their state.

What Our Students Are Saying

"As a Spanish interpreter for over twenty years, I never took any training that came close to the CITI program. This was the most challenging and rewarding training that I have been a part of. I was nervous and excited because I knew of the program reputation. This program met all my expectations and then some, the instructors, the labs, the workshops, and the interactions were amazing. This program challenged us to be better, the instructors taught how to practice and what to focus on to use our time wisely and get results. You’ll learn new techniques for better interpreting, increase vocabulary and make connections with other interpreters. This is worth every penny and it will change the way any interpreter performs."

2021 Online CITI Student

"I have just finished the intensive online Court Interpreter Training Institute. Despite the fact that we weren't able to travel to Tucson and meet in person, I really want to thank the Institute for such a comprehensive learning experience. I highly recommend the CITI for anyone planning to pursue the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination or to gain invaluable experience as an interpreter for any court or out-of-court legal proceedings."

2020 Online CITI Student

Have questions?

Contact Us