French, BA / Translation & Interpreting Studies, MA BA, MA
Accelerated master’s degrees (AMDs) allow high-achieving students to begin graduate-level work before completion of the undergraduate degree. By double-counting some credits for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree, students can earn both in five years total instead of the usual six.
The curriculum is quite structured in an AMD – specific classes need to be taken at specific times – so early planning is critical to be able to benefit from the time savings built into the program. Students should begin planning in their first year and be prepared to start at an advanced level of French that same year.
Students begin the program working on the undergraduate coursework needed for the bachelor’s degree. By the third year, students are taking advanced undergraduate coursework and some graduate coursework at the same time.
Admissions to the AMD will be determined at the start of junior year and is dependent upon meeting the normal criteria for graduate school admissions such as GPA. Students who aren’t admitted to the AMD can continue on in the undergraduate program to earn just the bachelor’s degree as long as they are in good academic standing.
You can read more about AMDs and our FAQ via the UWM Graduate School website.
Program Type
Accelerated Graduate
Program Format
On Campus
Advantages of an Accelerated Master’s Degree:
- Cost Savings — finishing two degrees in five years instead of six saves one full year of tuition cost
- Time Savings — completing both degrees a year early gets you started in your career faster
- Boosted Salary — starting your career with a master’s degree can garner you a higher starting salary
- Rigorous Curriculum — the pace and courses are well-suited to gifted and advanced students
Overview
The accelerated graduate degree in French and Translation and Interpreting Studies (French, BA and TIS MA) involves a maximum of 6 forward shared credits, and a maximum of 15 backward shared credits.
The French undergraduate advisor is responsible for advising students beginning in the accelerated program. The director of the TIS program is responsible for advising students admitted to the MA in TIS.
Approved enrollment into graduate level coursework during an undergraduate career does not guarantee admission to graduate school as part of the Accelerated Graduate Degree. Per UWM Graduate School criteria, students must obtain a “B” or better in all courses taken at the graduate level that are to be counted toward a graduate degree.
Approved enrollment into graduate level coursework during an undergraduate career does not guarantee admission to graduate school as part of the Accelerated Graduate Degree. Per UWM Graduate School criteria, students must obtain a “B” or better in all courses taken at the graduate level that are to be counted toward a graduate degree.
Applications will be reviewed by the Translation and Interpreting Studies admissions panel.
Admission to the Translation and Interpreting Studies, MA is selective; acceptance into the accelerated program does not guarantee admission to the MA. Students who do not satisfactorily meet admissions criteria for Graduate School are eligible to continue with their bachelor’s degree, provided they continue to meet undergraduate standards.
Advancement to Major/Admission
Undergraduate Requirements
Interested students must meet with an academic advisor to determine eligibility for the accelerated graduate degree. If eligible, students must meet the minimum UWM graduate school GPA requirements before taking any graduate (G) level classes as an undergraduate. The French BA/TIS MA program is open to students who have:
- achieved junior status;
- declared a major in French;
- maintained a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or better, and a GPA in the French major of 3.5 or better;
- completed at least 60 of their undergraduate credit hours and at least 21 of their French credit hours at UWM;
- on track for completing the major requirements (27 credits) for an undergraduate major in French.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission into Graduate School prior to completing their Bachelor's degree, the student must meet criteria for admission established by the TIS MA and the UWM Graduate School, and be in progress to complete 105 bachelor's credits prior to their first term as a graduate student.
In addition, eligible and interested students must apply for admission to the Graduate School in the Translation & Interpreting Studies MA program no later than March 1st of their third year. They must submit:
- a personal statement of goals, abilities, and reasons for pursuing the MA degree.
- three academic letters of recommendation.
Students also must take and pass the Translation Qualifying Exam, which is a requirement for admission to the MA TIS program for all students. It is recommended that the students do so in early November of their third year, but they must do so no later than May of their third year.
Students who do not gain admission to the MA degree can complete the BA with a major in French by taking at least one course numbered higher than 350 in an additional semester; they will also need to complete any required L&S and university credits still outstanding.
Applications will be reviewed by the TIS admissions panel.
Double Counted Courses
This accelerated graduate degree involves the following bachelor’s and master’s degrees: French, BA and Translation and Interpreting Studies (TIS) MA. There are 6 forward shared credits and 15 backward shared credits for a total of 21 shared credits.
Eligible Forward Shared Courses
Courses must be taken at the graduate (G) level and will count toward the TIS MA as well as fulfill the French BA undergraduate requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses eligible for forward shared credit (maximum of 6 credits) | ||
| FRENCH 426G | Growing Up French | 3 |
| FRENCH 427G | Advanced Written Expression | 3 |
| FRENCH 428G | Castles, Cathedrals, and Common People: The Foundations of French Culture | 3 |
| FRENCH 429G | Royalty, Reason, and Revolution: The Golden Age of French Culture | 3 |
| FRENCH 430G | Reaction and Innovation: French Culture of the 19th and 20th Centuries | 3 |
| FRENCH 450G | Institutions and Culture of Contemporary France | 3 |
| FRENCH 451G | Cinema of the French-Speaking World: | 3 |
| FRENCH 457G | Topics in French and Francophone Studies in Translation: | 3 |
| FRENCH 510G | Seminar on Masterpieces of Literature Written in French: | 3 |
| FRENCH 520G | Seminar in Contemporary French Literature: | 3 |
| FRENCH 592G | Seminar in French Language: | 3 |
Eligible Backward Shared Courses
These courses may be used to fulfill the electives requirements for the undergraduate degree in L&S.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses eligible for backward shared credits (maximum of 15 credits) | ||
| FRENCH 733 | Seminar in French Literature: | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 706 | Introduction to Translation: French to English | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 716 | Seminar in Advanced Translation: French to English | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 709 | Seminar in Literary and Cultural Translation | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 710 | Comparative Systems for Translation | 3 |
| TRNSLTN 820 | Translation Theory | 3 |
Advising for the AMD is provided from multiple sources at various times in the program. When a student first starts as a French major, faculty advising for the major will be provided by a faculty member in French and general advising will be provided by a Letters & Science college advisor. As a student progresses into the graduate level translation courses, faculty advising will be provided by a faculty member in the translation program and general advising will continue to be provided by a Letters & Science college advisor.
Students interested in this AMD typically aspire to be a translator, interpreter or other similar role fields like government, private industry, communication, the arts, and social services and non-governmental agencies. While some of these jobs may be open to individuals with just a bachelor’s degree, most require a master’s degree, making this AMD particularly well-suited for these career paths.
Students are encouraged to supplement their classroom learning with experiential learning through relevant part-time jobs or internships. Experiential learning is built into the curriculum of the AMD but additional experiences will enhance a resume and better prepare students for their first professional job.