UWM’s four-year bachelor’s program for interpreting is the only one of its kind in Wisconsin. Our American Sign Language/English Interpreting program goes beyond language, culture, and how to facilitate conversations. The program develops well-rounded interpreters who value and consider others’ perspectives, and who are culturally sensitive and empathetic practitioners.
Interpreting is an exciting and in-demand career. In general, the interpreting and translation field is growing much faster than other occupations, and ASL interpreters are especially sought-after. Our Interpreting program is aligned with both state licenses, which offers graduates more options upon graduation in terms of employment.
Requirements
General Education Requirements (GERs)
UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s degree. Some of the requirements of your program may fulfill the campus GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.
Students must meet certain criteria and apply to their specific program in addition to admission to UWM. Please see information about minimum credits, GPA, and other requirements at Advance to ASL-English Interpreting Professional Sequence.
Program Core
American Sign Language I-VI courses in the Department of Teaching and Learning satisfy University foreign language requirements. For all programs that require American Sign Language, students with previous experience in American Sign Language can take a proficiency interview to determine appropriate placement level; see web site for information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prior to Advancement to Professional Sequence | ||
| ASL 301 | American Sign Language I (With a grade of C or better) | 3 |
| ASL 302 | American Sign Language II (With a grade of C or better) | 3 |
| ASL 303 | American Sign Language III (With a grade of B- or better) | 3 |
| ASL 304 | American Sign Language IV (With a grade of B- or better) | 3 |
| ASL 305 | American Sign Language V (With a grade of B- or better) | 3 |
| ASL 306 | American Sign Language VI (With a grade of B- or better) | 3 |
| ASL 320 | Introduction to Interpreting: English to American Sign Language (With a grade of B- or better) | 3 |
| ASL 321 | Introduction to Interpreting: American Sign Language to English (With a grade of B- or better) | 3 |
| ASL 325 | Skills Development: ASL V (With a grade of B- or better) | 1 |
| ASL 326 | Skills Development: ASL VI (With a grade of B- or better) | 1 |
| ASL 327 | Skills Development: Classifiers (With a grade of B- or better) | 1 |
| ASL 328 | Skills Development: ASL Depiction (With a grade of B- or better) | 1 |
| ASL 330 | Deaf History (GER-SS) | 3 |
| ASL 348 | Introduction to the Profession of Interpreting (With a grade of C or better) | 3 |
| ASL 352 | American Deaf Culture (With a grade of C or better; GER-SS) | 3 |
| ASL 500 | Fingerspelling & Numbers | 3 |
| ASL 510 | Classifiers | 3 |
| ASL 520 | ASL Literature | 3 |
| THEATRE 111 | Theatre Games (GER-A) | 3 |
| COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking (GER-HU) | 3 |
| Highly recommended (choose one): | 3 | |
| The Diversity of Human Language (GER-CD, HU) | ||
| Power of Words (GER-CD, HU) | ||
| Total Credits | 55 | |
Professional Sequence
Students must earn a grade of B- or better for the professional sequence courses and a minimum 2.75 GPA in all professional coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Sequenced Courses | ||
| Fall I | ||
| ASL 335 | Educational Interpreting I | 3 |
| ASL 345 | Foundations of English to ASL Interpreting | 3 |
| ASL 347 | Foundations of ASL to English Interpreting | 3 |
| ASL 349 | Field Work: Interacting in the Deaf Community I | 3 |
| ASL 358 | ASL/English Linguistics I | 3 |
| Spring I | ||
| ASL 336 | Postsecondary Interpreting I | 3 |
| ASL 337 | Video Relay Services Interpreting I | 3 |
| ASL 338 | Introduction to Healthcare Interpreting | 3 |
| ASL 354 | Field Work: Interacting in the Deaf Community II | 3 |
| ASL 363 | ASL/English Linguistics II | 3 |
| ASL 371 | Strategies for the National Interpreter Certification Exam | 1 |
| Fall II | ||
| ASL 359 | Fieldwork: Interacting in the Deaf Community III | 3 |
| ASL 365 | Educational Interpreting II | 3 |
| ASL 366 | Postsecondary Interpreting II | 3 |
| ASL 367 | Video Relay Services Interpreting II | 3 |
| ASL 368 | Medical and Mental Healthcare Interpreting | 3 |
| Spring II | ||
| ASL 364 | Fieldwork: Interacting in the Deaf Community IV (In one semester or split over two semesters) | 12 |
| Total Credits | 58 | |
Additional Requirements for Graduation - See "Bachelor's Degree Requirements"
ASL/English Interpreting Major Completion Requirements
- Professional Requirements coursework minimum GPA of 2.75.
- Pass a written knowledge exam.
- Pass a performance exam.
Second Degree Pathway
- Students follow the same pathway as first degree students with the exception of COMMUN 103 and THEATRE 111, although it is strongly recommended that students complete the following: THEATRE 111, LINGUIS 100 or LINGUIS 210, ENGLISH 201, and COMMUN 103.
Interpreter License Requirements
- Individuals must hold a license from the Department of Public Instruction or the Department of Safety and Professional Services in order to enter the interpreting profession in Wisconsin. Successful completion of proficiency exams is required for these licenses. Consult with your advisor for details.
Advance to Major
Advance to ASL-English Interpreting Program Professional Sequence
- ASL 301, ASL 302, ASL 348, ASL 352, ASL 500, COMMUN 103 (except 2nd degree students), and THEATRE 111 (except 2nd degree students), with a grade of C or better.
- ASL 303, ASL 304, ASL 305, ASL 306, ASL 320, ASL 321, ASL 325, ASL 326, ASL 327,ASL 328, ASL 510, and ASL 520 with a grade of B- or better.
- ASL 330, ASL 500, ASL 510, and ASL 520.
- Completion of a Criminal Background Check (CBC) and TB test.
- 58 credits complete.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5, including transfer courses.
- Completion of Screening Interview, which occurs after application is submitted.
- For second degree candidates, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Undergraduate Advising
Our purpose is to provide collaborative, mentoring relationships which promote educational, career, and professional development. We value a student-centered, holistic, and ethical approach to advising based on strong partnerships with students, faculty and staff, and the larger campus community. We are committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment. We encourage students to be self-reliant through informed decisions and choices based upon dissemination of accurate information. We value our own continuous professional development to enhance the quality of the advising experience.
How to Prepare for an Advising Meeting
- Review your Advisement Report in PAWS.
- Come prepared with questions or topics for discussion.
- Make a list of courses you think you should take.
- Investigate opportunities to prepare for the job you want.
- Keep a record of your academic progress.
- Understand you are ultimately responsible for creating your educational, life, and career plans.
- Maintain honest and open communication with your advisor.
- Take responsibility for choices you make as a student and member of the UW-Milwaukee community.
Scheduling an Appointment
Office of Student Services
Enderis Hall, Room 209
(414) 229-4721
soeinfo@uwm.edu
Graduate Advising
If you are a School of Education graduate student, you may schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor by contacting your faculty advisor directly. Faculty contact information can be found in the Directory. Your faculty advisor will be listed in your PAWS account.
Honors in the Department of Teaching and Learning
Departmental Honors are granted to students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester.
College of Community Engagement and Professions Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.