German + Translation & Interpreting Studies

• Fact Sheet

What is the Accelerated Five-Year Program?

German students who decide early in their college careers that they would like to pursue an MA in German-English Translation may complete the German BA and MA in Translation & Interpreting Studies (TIS) in five years. This unique accelerated degree allows students to complete both a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Masters in Translation and Interpreting Studies in 5 years instead of 6.

Students enroll in undergraduate courses in years 1 – 3, and in year 4, they begin courses for their graduate degree. Students follow rigorous, targeted studies so they can enter their chosen profession sooner, shaving off one year of undergraduate tuition.

Ideal candidates for this accelerated path enter college with advanced German language skills and begin taking upper-level German classes during their freshman year.

What can I do with this degree?

Career opportunities abound; the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a much faster than average growth for jobs in translation. The degree opens up careers in language services entrepreneurship, government foreign service, teaching, the travel industry, technology & information management, or research.

With advanced German-language skills, deep understanding of German-speaking cultures, and critical knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the translation profession, students are well-prepared for the language services industry. The program prepares students for employment or doctoral studies in the growing field of German to English translation and interpreting.

Am I eligible? How can I enroll?

Contact German Program Advisor Dr. Jonathan Wipplinger to see if this program is a good fit and if it’s possible. It is best to enter UWM in the first year knowing you want to be in the accelerated program.

Students must meet the following requirements for admission to the Graduate School, to begin graduate studies in year 4 if accepted: at least 90 undergraduate credits; all undergraduate General Education Requirements (GER); and most credits required for the German BA.

What are the program requirements?

Individual plans of study will vary depending on coursework completed, electives desired, etc. See the study plan for an example of required coursework, but always check with L&S student advising for complete advice on degree requirements.

Requirements

Total Credits	At least 131 credits: 36 L&S credits at the 300-level or higher. Double-counting at least 9 hours of undergraduate and graduate credits means that five-year-degree students must take a total of 131 credit hours for both their BA and their MA, rather than 150 if doing each program separately (120 + 30).
English Proficiency and UWM Oral and Written Communication (OWC) GER	English 102 and one OWC-B course
Math Proficiency & UWM Quantitative Literacy (QL) GER	Math 102, 103, 105, or 108 (QL-A) and a QL-B course
Foreign Language Requirement	Successful completion of the fourth semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English.
Humanities GER	12 credits
Social Sciences GER	12 credits
Natural Sciences GER	12 credits, 3 must include a lab (NS+)
International Requirement	9 credits
Arts GER	3 credits
Cultural Diversity GER	3 credits, usually with a Humanities or Social Sciences course
Program Requirements	All of German 101, 102, 203, 204 (or equivalent earned through AP, retro credits, or other demonstrated competency) All of German 331, 332, 333, 334 Four courses taught in German from the German program at the 300 to 500 level Two courses taught in German from the German program at the 600 level All of Translation 201, 709, 710, 726, 730, and 820 Translation 708 and 718 9 credits of Translation electives specific to the language or industry of study

This sample plan shows one possible pathway to earning the combined BA/MA in five years. This plan does not replace the advice of your advisor. Students are cautioned to meet regularly with their advisor to create a personalized plan that matches their particular circumstances.

Sample Study Plan

Year 1
Fall	Credits
GERMAN 204 German in Your Field and Beyond (generates 11 retro credits)	3
L&S Natural Science	3-5
L&S Social Science	3
ENGLISH 101 Introduction to College Writing	3
Arts GER	3
Spring	Credits
GERMAN 331 German Grammar in Practice	3
TRNSLTN 201 Introduction to Translation and Interpreting Studies (HU)	3
L&S Natural Sciences	3
ENGLISH 102 College Writing and Research	3
MATH 103 Contemporary Applications of Mathematics (QL-A) or MATH 105 Introduction to College Algebra	3
Year 2
Fall	Credits
GERMAN 332 Presentation and Composition	3
GERMAN 333 Texts and Contexts	3
L&S Natural Sciences Lab	3
L&S Social Science	3
QL-B / formal reasoning course	3
Spring	Credits
GERMAN 334 Introduction to German Studies	3
L&S Natural Sciences	3
L&S Social Sciences	3
German elective	3
OWC-B course	3
Year 3
Fall	Credits
L&S Humanities/Cultural Diversity, not German	3
L&S Social Sciences	3
German elective 300, 400 or 500 level	3
German elective 300, 400 or 500 level	3
German elective 300, 400 or 500 level	3
Spring	Credits
L&S Humanities/Cultural Diversity, not German	3
L&S upper-level elective	3
GERMAN 681 (or GERMAN 671, or GERMAN 672)	3
German elective 300, 400 or 500 level	3
GERMAN 643 (or GERMAN 645, 647, 649)	3
Year 4
Fall	Credits
TRNSLTN 708 Introduction to Translation: German to English	3
Elective	3
Spring	Credits
TRNSLTN 718 Seminar in Advanced German Translation	3
TRNSLTN 726 Computer-Assisted Translation	3
Year 5
Fall	Credits
TRNSLTN 730 Internship in Translation/Interpreting	3
TRNSLTN 820 Translation Theory	3
Trnsltn Industry Elective	3
Spring	Credits
TRNSLTN 709 Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation	3
TRNSLTN 710 Comparative Systems for Translation	3
Trnsltn Industry Elective	3

Key
(A) Arts GER	(Int’l) International
(HU) Humanities	(QL-A) Quantitative Literacy A
(NS) Natural Science	(QL-B) Quantitative Literacy B
(SS) Social Science	(OWC-A) Oral and Written Communication A
(CD) Cultural Diversity GER	(OWC-B) Oral and Written Communication B