World Languages and Cultures Degrees

Through the Major and Minor in World Languages and Cultures and Minor in Spanish, the Department of World Languages and Cultures is committed to providing students with the tools needed for global, cross-cultural understanding, including the ability to understand and use the French and Spanish languages. To this end, the Department of World Languages and Cultures offers courses and other experiences in language, culture, literature, translation, and more. Together, these experiences will prepare students for graduate and professional programs and for careers in which knowledge of another language and culture is vital.

Study Abroad with the World Languages Program

World Languages and Cultures students are encouraged to improve their language skills and intercultural competence through study abroad. Appropriate transfer credit will be awarded for language courses and cultural study done overseas under the auspices of an accredited and approved academic institution.

Students explore the cultural products, perspectives, and practices of the Spanish-speaking world through course work, field trips, extracurricular activities, and study abroad. University of the Cumberlands has partner programs in Montpellier, France, Costa Rica, and Salamanca, Spain, or students may work with world languages faculty to develop an overseas experience that meets their individual educational goals.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURES DEGREE?

A degree in World Languages and Cultures can be an ideal complement to any major, particularly in today’s world, where many employers prefer candidates with second-language skills. World Languages, which includes the emphasis on Spanish, has been identified as an area of particularly critical need in education, law enforcement, and medicine. That means there are jobs for World Languages majors in a variety of fields, including:

• International business – contribute to the global economy by using your foreign language experience to strengthen business endeavors around the world 
• Law Enforcement/National Security – from local police departments to the FBI, DEA, CIA, agencies need people who can communicate in more than one language
• Health Care - hospitals, clinics, private practices, and labs all need Spanish-speaking personnel
• Missionary – Spanish is a widely-used language in many mission fields both in the United States and abroad
• Interpreter/ translator – either full-time or on the side
• Teacher – the United States is experiencing a teacher shortage in world languages; Cumberlands' graduates are rising to the challenge
• Diplomacy – just imagine a career in Europe or South America speaking French and Spanish.  You don't have to be an ambassador to play an important role

PROGRAM GOALS

1. Students will learn to communicate in languages other than English, namely Spanish and French. This includes the four skills of language learning: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

2. Students will expand their cross-cultural competence through the study of the products, practices, and perspectives of cultures other than their own.

3. Students will prepare for career opportunities in fields such as law enforcement, medicine, human services, education, business, and foreign service.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Students may receive course credit for FREN 131, 132, 231, and 232 and for SPAN 131, 132, 231, 232, and 134 either by taking and passing the French or Spanish Prior Knowledge Examination through the Prior Learning Program or by taking and passing the appropriate CLEP or IB examination. In addition, Advanced Placement credit may be earned as follows:

Students pursuing any major will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree if they complete at least the Intermediate level–SPAN/FREN 232–of either French or Spanish (typically 4 courses). Students may also choose to pursue a major or minor in World Languages and Cultures or a minor in Spanish.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students interested in World Languages and Cultures can seek a major, minor or even minor in Spanish. Check out the World Languages Degree Requirements. 

TUITION

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees. 

ACCREDITATION 

Click here to view University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information. 

Whichever direction you choose to go, let University of the Cumberlands' World Languages and Cultures program help you prepare for a rewarding career. Let’s talk about our test-optional college admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and more! Fill out the form on this page for more info today!