Programs

     Along with a broad-based liberal education in the humanities, the bachelor of arts in foreign languages prepares students for careers requiring a knowledge of a foreign language and the various sociocultural environments of its speakers; for graduate study in diverse fields; and for teaching French, German or Spanish.

     The department offers the bachelor of arts in foreign languages, with tracks in French, Spanish, German and comparative literature.

     All VCU students wishing to continue their high school language must take the Foreign Language Placement Test. While credit is not granted by the test, appropriate levels of placement may fulfill certain graduation requirements. Students, once placed into a level, may not take courses on a lower level for credit. Transfer students will receive the credits granted by the institution from which they transfer. Consult specific language requirements for the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees.

     Foreign language majors interested in teaching early, middle, secondary, or special education can enroll in an Extended Teacher Preparation Program that results in the simultaneous awarding of a bachelor’s degree in one of the foreign languages mentioned above and a master’s in teaching.  For additional information about this program administered jointly by the College of Humanities and Sciences and the School of Education, contact the School of Education’s Office of Academic Services.

     Language majors are strongly encouraged to take two more years in a second foreign language. The department offers minors in French, German and Spanish, and courses in Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Swahili, Hindi and Russian.

     The Department of Foreign Languages also offers courses in the Latin American studies minor and the Russian area studies minor.

Study abroad opportunities

     Majors or minors in the Department of Foreign Languages are encouraged to participate in a study-abroad program. Programs for students interested in living and studying abroad during the summer offer students opportunities for short-term immersion in the language, culture, and civilization of the countries they visit. Currently, study-abroad programs through VCU are available to France, Guatemala, Canada, Austria, Spain, Germany and Italy. VCU is a member of the International Student Exchange Program which offers a junior year abroad at one of 40 universities worldwide.

Minimum major and minor
requirements for transfer students

     Transfer students planning to major in a foreign language must complete a minimum of two 400-level courses within the department. Credit and distribution requirements must be satisfied by all students. For the minor, course work must include at least two courses at the 300 level or above in the chosen language area.

Degree requirements
Bachelor of arts in foreign languages
with a track in French, German or Spanish

     The degree program requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 30 of those credits in upper-level courses in French or German, and 31 credits in Spanish. Along with the general requirements for the B.A. degree, foreign language students in Spanish must take the 295 gateway course (exemptions from the 295 course are made on a case by case basis) and these courses from the corresponding track:

300 and 301 Advanced Grammar and Writing

305 Conversation (or 311 in German)

320 and 321 Civilization

330 and 331 Survey of Literature

495 Spanish Portfolio Seminar (1 credit; Spanish only)

To complete the major, students select nine hours of course work at the 400 level.

Transfer students who intend to major in a foreign language must take a minimum of two 400-level courses at VCU in the
chosen language area. Both credit and distribution requirements for the major must be satisfied.

Foreign language minors must take at least two 300- or 400-level courses at VCU in the chosen language area.