Medical Interpreter Course: Language Spanish


Break language barriers in healthcare. Transform your bilingual ability into a rewarding medical interpreting skill. Our online Medical Interpreter training program was designed for individuals who are fluent in English and Spanish and who strive to achieve accurate communication and cultural sensitivity among our Hispanic patients. Obtain your certificate of completion to satisfy the prerequisite to apply for national certification.  Course creator: Diana Cavazos, PhD, MSN, RN, Associate Professor/Clinical, UT Health SA School of Nursing. 

We are happy to introduce our new instructor: Zelma Delgado, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor.

Enrollment Timeline:
  • Summer 2026: Course starts: May 4, 2026.  Important: All pre-course requirements and payment must be completed by April 27th.  Enrollees must complete the course by August 17, 2026.
  • Fall 2026: Course starts: August 31, 2026.  Important: All pre-course requirements and payment must be completed by August 24, 2026.  Enrollees must complete the course by December 11, 2026.
  • Spring 2027: Course starts: January TBA.  Important: All pre-course requirements and payment must be completed by December/January TBA.  Enrollees must complete the course by April TBA.
Currently we are limiting each course to 25 total enrollees per semester (5 of those can be academic students).

Course Process:

  1. Candidate contacts program instructor to discuss interpreter training interest and course process. Instructor Dr. Zelma Delgado delgadoz@uthscsa.edu
  2. Assessment: Candidate will complete Spanish language proficiency provided by instructor and must score at least intermediate level. There is a $25 fee to take the assessment if paid by CC, if by PO or check it is a $35 fee).  This fee will be credited at the time of enrollment. This fee is non-refundable (whether the assessment is a non pass or whether the person decides not to enroll). 
  3. Approval:  After review of Spanish language proficiency assessment, candidate receives approval from program instructor via e-mail to enroll in interpreter course. You will be emailed instructions and a link to register and pay the fee for the course.
  4. Cost (we do not provide refunds –REGISTRATION POLICY):
    • Student rate $125 (currently enrolled in a UT Health San Antonio academic program); limited to 5 per semester
    • Professional rate $1200
    • If your organization must pay by purchase order or a check there is an additional charge of $100/enrollee.
  5. Enrollment: Candidate enrolls and completes the 45-hour online interpreter course.
    • Completion Schedule: we are allowing a total of 15 weeks for completion.  One module per week must be completed and on the 15th week you must take your final exam.  We cannot allow additional time.  The course will close at the end of the 15th week.
  6. Course Completion:
    • Candidate completes course’s final assessment and course evaluation.
    • A certificate of completion will be sent after instructor reviews student’s work and final assessment.
    • Candidate becomes TRAINED medical interpreter.

45 hour didactic online course:

  1. Roles of the Medical Interpreter” the Medical Interpreter and HIPAA, Hispanic culture and healthcare practices (3)
  2. Skills of the Medical Interpreter: code of ethics, standards of practice and cultural competence (3)
  3. Qualifications of the Medical Interpreter: Federal Laws and language assistance obligations (3)
  4. Foundations of medical words (3)
  5. Body systems medical terminology: anatomical terms, common conditions, common diagnostic tests and treatments (33).

After Course on your Own:

  1. Candidate applies for national certification for medical interpreter, with a board of their choice.

Continuing Nursing Education:
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

45 Nursing CE contact hours are provided upon completion of the course.  There is no other CE provided for this course.

This course is not for academic credit.  Only Nursing CE.

Course admin: Sherece McGoon at mcgoon@uthscsa.edu.