We prepare students to engage with an increasingly globalized world through the intensive study of languages, literatures and cultures.

Proficiency in a foreign language is more than just an asset in today’s job market; it is an essential part of comprehending contemporary society. Our students learn how to communicate effectively in another language, while understanding and appreciating the culture in which it is spoken. Through clubs, language tables and faculty mentorship, our graduates are poised to ride the tidal wave of globalization and enter a multitude of career areas.

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85 percent of faculty are native speakers.

The major is a part of the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures, an academic unit within the College of Arts and Letters.

Students can earn both a major in Modern Foreign Languages and a minor in a specific language. Currently the department provides:

  • Four years of instruction in Arabic, French, German, Italian and Spanish 
  • Three years of instruction in Chinese and Russian
  • Two years of instruction in Japanese, Korean and Latin 

The minimum requirement for a major in languages is 33 upper-division credit hours in a specific language.

Modern Foreign Languages

Degrees Offered: B.A. in Modern Foreign Languages

Concentrations: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian (not available 2020-21), Spanish

Minors: Arabic, Business French, Business German, Business Italian, Business Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Law Enforcement Spanish, Legal Spanish, Medical Spanish, Russian, Spanish, Translation & Interpretation (Spanish)


For detailed program information and curriculum, please visit:


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