Applications for the 2023 CITI are now being accepted! Through 2022, we will be waiving the application fee! A new payment plan is also 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).
In 2023, the CITI will be offered as a fully online program, combining asynchronous and synchronous instruction to maximize its impact. Starting May 22, 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 (about 30-40 hours/week). See below for more details about the CITI time commitment and to review a sample schedule.
The 2023 CITI will provide 120 total hours of specialized interpreter training. Below you will find more information about the time commitment required for the 2023 CITI.
Objectives of the CITI
- To provide maximum time-on-task to increase the benefit gained from practice sessions and critiques with instructors.
- Comprehensive diagnostic testing is performed at the start and end of each institute, to give you a detailed analysis of how your language and interpreting skills have improved during the institute.
Program Delivery
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May 22-27, 2023: CITI Orientation and Diagnostic Pre-Testing
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May 25-June 18, 2023: 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).
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June 19-30, 2023: Intensive instruction and interpreting practice with instructors and fellow students on simultaneous and consecutive interpreting and sight translation techniques and strategies (approximately 30-40 hours/week)
Time Commitment
The online 2023 CITI runs May 22 - June 30. For the first four weeks, it's about 10-15 hours/week. There is a synchronous introductory meeting on May 22, 5-7pm Pacific Time. Between May 24 and May 27, there will be a couple of options for taking the diagnostic pre-test in the evening. From May 25 through June15, there are webinars scheduled for Thursdays 5-8pm Pacific Time and Saturdays 10am-1pm Pacific. Those are live, but they are recorded so you can catch up in case you have to miss one. There is also about 4 hours/week of online exercises that students complete on their own schedules. 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. From June 10-30, CITI gets much more intensive, requiring about 30-40 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.
Payment Process
There are a few steps in the payment process for the CITI:
- When you apply, there is a $50 non-refundable application fee (note that this fee is being waived for all application submitted prior to January 1, 2023).
- 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 $2300. You have two options to pay this balance.
- You can pay the balance in full any time before May 18, 2023 -OR-
- You can make four payments of $575 at your convenience any time before May 18, 2023.
Technical Requirements
The technical requirements to participate in the online CITI are relatively modest. They include:
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Desktop or laptop with video capability or webcam
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Good internet connection
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Headset/ear buds that include a microphone (do not rely on built-in mic and speakers!)
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A device to record audio (your phone works just fine)
Topics
Lecture topics run the gamut of areas essential to working interpreters, including:
- Legal Procedure
- Drugs
- Weaponry
- Ethics & Protocol
- Memory Development Techniques
- Note-Taking Skills
- ...and more
Funding Opportunities
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.
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:
Letter of Interest
Résumé
Letter of Recommendation
Have questions?
Application Process
Apply Online
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.
Acceptance
- NCI will verify your eligibility for the CITI.
- You will receive an acceptance letter and your acceptance packet, which contains information about required materials and more details about the program.
- Upon receipt of your acceptance letter, you will have to pay a non-refundable deposit of $295 as soon as possible towards your tuition to reserve your seat.
Application and Tuition Costs
- Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable)
- CITI Deposit: $295 (non-refundable)
- CITI Tuition Balance: $2300
Important Deadlines
Deadline to apply to the CITI: May 15, 2023
Deadline to pay CITI deposit: 30 days after acceptance
Deadline to pay CITI tuition balance: May 18, 2023
CITI program starts: May 22, 2023