The UWM-ITP is a strong program that prepares graduates to work in a variety of exciting jobs in a way that is culturally sensitive to the needs of a diverse group of people. The ITP is offered as an undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate, both require admission to the program. Your degree will be a Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus in interpreting.

Application materials for the ITP are due by February 1st and June 1st of the year you plan to start the ITP sequence. If you have not officially completed all of the application requirements, but will do so before Fall semester, please submit application. Cohorts are formed after admission requirements are satisfied, application materials have been received, and a interview has been conducted. Approximately 20-25 students are accepted each year.

Once accepted into the ITP, students continue to develop their language skills in American Sign Language and English. Students will further their studies in the interpreting process, interpreter ethics, and Deaf Culture. Practicum, labs, seminars, and lectures provide a variety of valuable learning experiences.

UWM ITP is unique in many ways

• This is the only program in the state that offers an interpreting Bachelor degree (RID's motion of interpreter degree requirements)
  
• American Sign Language 1-4 are required before entering the program. This way, time is devoted in the program to teaching the skill of interpreting
• Courses taught by RID Certified hearing interpreters and RID and ASLTA-Certified Deaf instructors
• Most classes are taught in sign language to help build receptive abilities and vocabulary
• Curriculum developed to prepare students for the RID NIC written test, EIPA written and performance, and state verification performance testing
• Coursework satisfies the Department of Public Instruction educational interpreting license requirements
• Fieldwork classes and opportunities which expose students to the rich and culturally diverse communities of the deaf and hard of hearing
• Two internship opportunities: one in educational setting and one in a professional work environment
• Experience on campus for continual proficiency of ASL with our Signing Student Association (SSA), American Sign Language Living Learning Community (ASL-LLC), and large number of Deaf and hard of hearing students attending UW-Milwaukee.

ITP MissionThe University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Interpreter Training Program's purpose is to educate interpreters to facilitate communication between hearing and deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing consumers by using a variety of modes and contact languages and integrating a knowledge of cultural differences by respecting the unique needs of each individual consumer in that communication process.

Cohort Sequence
The four semester sequence provides classes to assist students in building skills in interpreting and transliterating for use in a variety of specialty settings. The program's course content has a focus on deafness-related issues and the profession of interpreting, including the interpersonal skills necessary for appropriate functioning within the interpreter role with an aimed at providing the necessary social and professional link with the deaf community.

The program and the University are dedicated to a multicultural mission. Students will have ample opportunities to practice their skills and enhance their learning as they become flexible, knowledgeable, culturally sensitive, and skilled entry level interpreters.

Students will interpret, observe, and learn in the areas of platform and artistic interpreting, employment, education, rehabilitation, mental health, medical, deaf-blind, video-relay, and recreation. Students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of fieldwork for three semesters. And complete two internships - one educational and one professional during the last semester. Students are also required to take additional coursework to satisfy the requirements for the State of Wisconsin's License of Educational interpreters. Therefore after completion of the ITP a student is prepared as an entry level interpreter for both educational and professional settings.

American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)
If you have previous experience in ASL, you can take the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) to determine your appropriate course level and possibly receive retroactive credits. The ASLPI is offered three times a year. The test takes approximately 1 hour and costs $100.00, which is due at least one week in advance. 

American Sign Language - Living Learning Community (ASL-LLC)If you are planning to stay in the Sandburg Residence Hall (dorms) then picture yourself developing a network of peers who communicate with a common language; American Sign Language (ASL) and gain understanding and respect for ASL, Deaf history, and Deaf culture. The ASL-LLC is an opportunity for students to live on the same floor of Sandburg Residence Hall and build a community based on a common language.

Career OpportunitiesThe skills, knowledge, flexibility, and additional factors taught in the ITP offer students a strong foundation for life-long learning. Students are prepared to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in a variety of settings

Nationwide, qualified interpreters are in demand. Interpreters are now and increasingly employed in legal, medical, mental health, education, post-secondary, video-relay...Interpreters are employed on a full or part-time basis by agencies, Universities, schools, companies, organizations, hospitals...or they may be self-employed.

Verification/Certification/Memberships

• Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf (RID) membership and national certification testing
• WisRID, Wisconsin's state chapter of RID
  
• Wisconsin's Interpreting/Transliterating Assessment (WITA) state verification test - The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH).
• Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) for Wisconsin Licenses - Deparment of Public Instruction (DPI)

ITP Post-Baccalaureate Certificate of Completion
The ITP is 2-year certificate of completion program for individuals that already hold a Bachelor Degree. Students do have coursework to complete before the admission process. Upon completion students will have completed an ITP, be eligible for the educational interpreter license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, passed the National Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf (RID) written test, be eligible for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), and be eligible for the Wisconsin Interpreter Transliteration Assessment (WITA) or RID performance assessment.

To complete the required admission course work, students will need to apply to the University as a visitor/guest student or a part-time student at the undergraduate level. If you do NOT need financial aid apply as a guest/visiting student. If you do need financial aid you will need to take at least 2 courses (6 credits) and should apply as a part-time undergraduate student with a School of Education focus. Application to the University is at https://apply.wisconsin.edu/

Upon completion of the application coursework, students will need to apply to the Department of Exceptional Education. The application is found below. Applications are due February 1 and June 1 of the Fall semester year of wanted entry. For example, if a student wants to start the ITP Fall semester of 2010 they would need their application submitted by February 1, 2010. Even if the student has not officially completed their courses at the time of application, but will do so before the Fall semester they should submit the application. Submitting an application does not grant automatic admission to the ITP.

If admitted to the ITP, students will need to reapply to the University as a post-baccalaureate student seeking a certificate of completion. Please, contact Heather Ford for directions to this process.

ITP post-bac course load sheet
ITP post-bac application

ITP Undergraduate Degree
The ITP is a course of study (major) leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a focus on interpreting. Upon completion students will have completed an ITP, be eligible for the educational interpreter license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, passed the National Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf (RID) written test, be eligible for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), and be eligible for the Wisconsin Interpreter Transliteration Assessment (WITA) or RID performance assessment.

Students have to be at Junior standing (58 credits) and have a 2.5 GPA in order to apply for the ITP program. During the first two years of college students are working towards completion of admission requirements and general education requirements (GER's).

Upon completion of the admission coursework, students will need to apply to the Department of Exceptional Education. The application is found below. Applications are due February 1 and June 1 of the Fall semester year of wanted entry. For example, if a student wants to start the ITP Fall semester of 2010. They would need their application submitted by February 1, 2010, even if the student has not officially completed their courses at the time of application, but will do so before the Fall semester. Submitting an application does not grant automatic admission to the ITP.

ITP degree course load sheet
ITP undergraduate application