| 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
311 Conversation
320 and 321 Civilization
330 and 331 Survey of
Literature
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.
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