University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

Graduate Certificate in Bilingual Professional Writing

In our increasingly multilingual and multicultural environment, those who demonstrate the ability to write effectively, ethically, and dynamically will be the top candidates for employment in the United States and throughout the world. Being bilingual is an advantage in contemporary professional contexts, and earning a Graduate Bilingual Professional Writing Certificate can add to the benefits of a graduate degree. The Graduate Bilingual Professional Writing Certificate is intended to prepare students to communicate in print and digital environments ethically and responsibly in both English and Spanish. Through this certificate program, students will practice their use of rhetoric, technology, and language as these elements apply to bilingualism and translation in professional settings.

Steps for admission to the Graduate Bilingual Professional Writing Certificate (BPWC) Program:

  • Graduate admission to UTEP. This certificate program is open to students currently enrolled in a degree program at UTEP (graduate), and students who wish to pursue only the certificate.
  • BPWC Program Application, College Transcripts, and Letter of Interest. Students must complete the BPWC Program Application and submit all college transcripts. For application, students should contact the BPWC Program at bilingualwriting@utep.edu. Students must also submit a letter of interest written in either English or Spanish.
  • Written Language Proficiency Exam. Admission is contingent on the student passing a Written Language Proficiency Exam in English and Spanish (to be administered by PWC Program Director/Associate Director before student can enroll in any of the certificate courses).
  • Interview with the BPWC Program Director/Associate Director, if need be, when the student’s literacy abilities in English and Spanish have not been demonstrated through an academic record and/or the Written Language
  • Proficiency Exam.

Students pursuing the Graduate Bilingual Professional Writing Certificate must complete the following course requirements with a grade of B or better:

Bilingual Professional Writing Certificate (All courses require a B or better)
Required Courses:
RWS 5380Bilingual Practicum3
TRAN 5359Introduction to Translation3
Translation Elective:
Select one from the following:3
Legal Translation
Translation in Business
Translation in Healthcare
Rhetoric and Writing Studies Elective:
Select one from the following:3
Bilingual Workplace Writing
Bilingual Technical Writing
Total Hours12