World Languages and Cultures - BA

About This Degree

USU World Languages & Cultures degrees open the doors to exciting global careers, international opportunities, and local multilingual jobs.

World Languages & Cultures graduates find global career pathways in a very broad range of sectors, including: education and teaching, healthcare and medicine, global business, tech and AI, biotech, fintech, diplomacy, intelligence, national security, law enforcement, legal, cybersecurity, social services, nonprofit work, international business development, sales, marketing, hospitality and recreation, international trade, aviation, logistics, and beyond.

World Languages & Cultures degrees at USU offer unique opportunities, including: scholarship opportunities for students majoring in languages, study abroad to several countries for USU credit, internships, Community Engaged Learning (CEL), active student clubs, lots of fun student cultural and food activities, free language tutoring, conversation practice groups, credit through language proficiency testing, job fairs and workshops, opportunities to engage with native speakers on campus and in the community, exchange programs at international universities, virtual exchanges, international and student film festivals, guest lectures by experts, networking and mentoring, hands-on undergraduate research opportunities, support applying for global paid internships, departmental awards, job shadowing and volunteer opportunities, and much more.

What You Will Learn

In addition to developing language proficiency and exploring global cultures, students learn many skills: intercultural competence, effective communication skills, enhanced interpersonal communication skills, analytical skills, presentation skills, translation and interpretation skills, localization skills, human-in-the-loop AI skills, cultural context and nuance expertise for AI, problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, adaptability skills, teaching methodology, negotiation skills, teamwork and collaboration skills, writing skills, editing skills, archival skills, and research skills, all of which are highly sought after durable skills that give World Languages & Cultures BA graduates a competitive advantage for employers today.

Choose from a wide range of content and skills courses taught in each target language, including business language, healthcare translation and interpretation, legal translation and interpretation, language teaching, linguistics, writing, conversation, and beyond. Discover exciting culture course electives including literature, film, music, pop culture, fairy tales, current events, media, community outreach, and others, aimed at developing cultural competencies.

Start as a beginner or build on existing advanced or intermediate language skills to develop higher proficiency levels and explore the many countries and cultures that speak the language.

Benefits of learning another language include cognitive advantages, global career advancement opportunities, increased cultural awareness, enhanced communication skills, and more.

A World Languages Education Teaching Track is an available option for WL&C BA majors and minors as a career pathway for future teachers; contact the Secondary Education Advising Office (CEHS, TEAL) for advising and current STEP requirements. Utah and other states face a critical, long-term need and ever-increasing demand for qualified K-12 teachers. Utah’s unique Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is another potential career pathway for graduates of this program.

Students with prior language proficiency may be able to “test out of” some levels or prerequisites and may be able to finish the degree quicker, with previous experiences including: living abroad, study abroad, Bridge program, Dual Language Immersion (DLI), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), military language training, heritage speakers, native speakers, prior coursework, and other experiences. USU World Languages & Cultures Language Proficiency and Placement Tests are available in in 50+ languages, including Navajo. Students can potentially earn up to 16 credits to purchase through testing, depending on scores.

Many students choose to complete a dual major in a language, linguistics, or Translation & Interpretation, to complement another field of study. The dual major, or double major, leverages language skills to gain a competitive advantage in the job market, or open doors to global jobs, in many sectors. Completing two majors, including one in World Languages & Cultures, can lead to more job opportunities and can be achieved within four years or less (because many languages courses offer options to simultaneously fulfill General Education/depth designations including CI, DHA, DSS, etc., and some language prerequisites may be met through language testing or through the high school Bridge program).

Emphases:

Students must choose an emphasis in one of the following areas

Arabic:

Students will develop Arabic language proficiency and communications skills, cultural awareness, critical thinking skills, analysis skills, and intercultural competence skills, all valuable for today's global workplace.

The Arabic major emphasis familiarizes learners with Arabic-speaking cultures and regions around the world. Students with prior language experience should take the Language Proficiency and Placement test through USU Department of World Languages & Cultures, to potentially "test out of" some prerequisites, be eligible to earn and purchase credits, and to be placed in the appropriate proficiency level. An Arabic minor, a Middle East Studies minor and Linguistics minor are also available. The Arabic program offers an active student club with many events and activities, undergraduate research opportunities, community engaged learning (CEL) options, and free Arabic language tutoring.

Chinese:

Students will develop durable skills including Chinese language proficiency, translation and interpretation skills, intercultural competence skills, analytical skills, critical thinking skills, presentational skills, and communication skills. Course offerings include courses in language, literature, culture, popular culture, Chinese for Business, film studies, media studies, translation, communication, and much more.

The program offers many cultural activities and student events, and opportunities such as free language tutoring, Chinese language outreach practicum, opportunities for scholarships, and USU faculty-led summer study abroad in Taiwan. Courses are available to start at all levels. Bridge program participants may be able to complete the program quicker and should contact an advisor. A world languages education track for future teachers is also available.

French:

Students in the French program will develop durable skills in communication, cultural competence, critical thinking, analysis, adaptability, negotiation, presentations, research, and more, while expanding their knowledge of the French language and the cultures across the entire francophone world. Earning a French major emphasis helps graduates showcase language proficiency, communication skills, analytical skills, presentational skills, and cultural awareness to future employers, from global business, to tech, to education, to healthcare, to nonprofit and NGO work, to STEM fields, and beyond.

Students with prior language experience may be able to begin or complete the French major emphasis quicker through Language Proficiency and Placement Testing in the USU Department of World Languages and Cultures. Courses are available to start at all levels, including beginning, intermediate, advanced, heritage speakers, and native speakers. Bridge program participants may be able to complete the program faster and should contact an advisor.

The French program offers many opportunities for exciting cultural activities, active student club activities, culinary activities, scholarships, free tutoring, conversation groups, undergraduate research, community engagement, job fairs, visits to companies, assistance applying for exchanges and paid internships, French film festival, and options for for-credit USU faculty-led study abroad in France.

German:

The German Major emphasis prepares students for a high level of language proficiency in a variety of professional and academic contexts, as well as developing durable intercultural competence skills, analytical skills, critical thinking skills, presentational skills, and communication skills. Students explore cultures across the entire German speaking world. The German program offers many opportunities for cultural events, student club activities and field trips, scholarship activities, undergraduate research, free tutoring, internships, and study abroad options.

Courses are available to start at all levels, including beginning, intermediate, advanced, heritage speakers, and native speakers. Bridge program participants may be able to complete the program quicker and should contact an advisor.

Japanese:

The Japanese major emphasis develops language proficiency skills, intercultural competence, and communication skills essential for career opportunities in the US and globally, for example in:IT, AI, engineering, research and development, teaching and education, international trade, banking, logistics, tourism, supply chain management, media and creative industries, diplomacy, and beyond. Graduates may also pursue careers as translators, interpreters, editors, educators, AI language experts, or content localizers for gaming, media, and tech. Students develop a deeper understanding of Japanese culture around the world, including popular culture, traditions, film, media, business culture, educational systems, literature, and beyond. Japanese language proficiency allows professionals to work directly in Japan or with many worldwide companies to gain an advantage in this global economy.

Students with higher language proficiency and prior language experience, who test out of lower-division language courses at USU, may potentially complete degree requirements much faster. Many students also choose a World Languages & Cultures BA as a dual major. USU's Japanese program offers many unique opportunities for cultural events and activities, contests and competitions, group conversation and Tadoku reading practice, calligraphy courses, interaction with native speakers, undergraduate research projects, activities with other institutions, community engagement, exchange and internship programs in Japan, a very active student club, scholarships, and study abroad options in Japan.

Linguistics:

The Linguistics major emphasis focuses on the cientific study of language, including the underlying rules and structures that make communication possible. Students may complete the language requirement for the Linguistics Major Emphasis through many different options, including testing in 50+ world languages with prior language knowledge, and including other languages taught at USU, such as Navajo language.

In addition to developing or increasing proficiency in one or more languages, students gain an understanding in theory and practice of linguistics subfields, including: Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics, Language Acquisition and Second Language Acquisition, AI, pedagogy, and more. Students develop durable workforce skills in analysis, data analysis, communications, critical thinking, intercultural competence, language proficiency, research methodology, pedagogy, etc. Graduates may find career pathways in: AI/machine learning, education, research, teaching, localization, editing, forensic linguistics, tech fields, and many more. Graduates find jobs in education or in the private sector or continue their academic studies and research in graduate school.

Portuguese:

From the US to Europe to South America, graduates in Portuguese find jobs in global business, healthcare, translation and interpretation, localization, teaching and education, NGOs and non-profits, humanitarian work, business development, security, intelligence, STEM, media, and diplomacy spheres.

The USU Portuguese program offers courses ranging from Business Portuguese to Healthcare Translation and Interpretation to Brazilian Media, to film courses, and beyond. Students explore the many cultures and countries of the Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) world. Free tutoring, an active student Portuguese Club with many cultural events and culinary activities, scholarship opportunities, and USU faculty-led study abroad opportunities are available. Students build skills in communication, analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, presentations, cultural competencies, and more.

Courses are available to start at all levels, including beginning, intermediate, advanced, heritage speakers, and native speakers. Bridge program participants may be able to complete the program quicker and should contact an advisor.

Russian:

Students in the USU Russian program may take courses ranging from Business Russian to Russian Translation, to Medical Interpreting in Russian, to Russian language through art, and more. Students explore the many cultures and countries of the Russophone (Russian-speaking) world. Free tutoring, a very active student Slavic Club, cultural events, culinary activities, scholarship opportunities, undergraduate research opportunities, and study abroad options are available for students of Russian. Students build skills in communication, analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, and cultural competence. Graduates chose many career pathways with opportunities to use Russian: diplomacy, intelligence, national security, international business, STEM fields, education and teaching, nonprofit and humanitarian work, and international business development, as well as in translation, interpretation, and localization.

Courses are available to start at all levels, including beginning, intermediate, advanced, heritage speakers, and native speakers. Bridge program participants may be able to complete the program quicker and should contact an advisor.

Spanish:

Studying Spanish, from language to cultures, from literature to film, from Business Spanish to healthcare or legal interpretation and beyond gives graduates additional skills and value added to be competitive in many career pathways both locally and globally: education and teaching, technology and AI, healthcare, legal, international business, global development, tourism and hospitality, law enforcement, intelligence, national security, creative industries, diplomacy, research and development, non-profits and NGOs, media, and much more. Students develop durable skills in communication, intercultural competence, analysis, critical thinking, and problem solving, as well as translation, interpretation, and localization. Courses are available to start at all levels, including beginning, intermediate, advanced, heritage speakers, and native speakers. Bridge program participants may be able to complete the program quicker and should contact an advisor.

USU offers free Spanish language tutoring, a very active student Spanish Club, cultural events and holiday celebrations, culinary activities, USU faculty-led study abroad programs such as summer in Spain and fall semester in Argentina, scholarship opportunities, microcredentials in healthcare and legal interpretation, and many hands-on internship/practicum opportunities in local companies and communities.

Translation and Interpretation:

Translation and Interpretation major emphasis teaches durable skills for jobs related to healthcare, legal, business, social services, and other areas. The program integrates courses in medical interpretation, court interpretation, translation, localization, and more. It builds work-based learning experiences by providing meaningful activities and community engagement. With the growing demand for qualified translators and interpreters in Utah and across the US, this major emphasis provides the necessary skills in fields that have high demand in the industry. Students may choose to focus on healthcare translation and interpretation or Legal and Business Translation and Interpretation. Graduates of this program are poised to make a significant economic impact and fill critical roles in healthcare settings, legal proceedings, business and community services in Utah and beyond.