In today’s world, language learning is more important than ever. The ability to navigate across diverse language, ethnic, racial and cultural borders allows connection with others, helping create a more inclusive and mutually respectful society. Additionally, employers the world over value the communication skills, cultural competence and practical experiences language students acquire through course work, internships, service learning and study abroad. Proficiency in a second language offers special practical benefits: VCU graduates with language skills are among the more qualified candidates for jobs in international businesses, nonprofits and government agencies. They also qualify for jobs as language teachers in schools, where they often serve as role models, mentors and leaders.
VCU’s B.A. in Foreign Language curriculum allows students to focus on either one or two languages, including the option to combine their major with other disciplines as they work with advisers to plan for their future careers. VCU course work leads majors to explore cultural traditions and historical developments in various parts of the world, and to pursue applied vocabulary and practices that they can use in real-world situations locally, nationally, globally and virtually. Special effort is made to develop intercultural communication competence.
Becoming a language major is one of the best decisions a student can make! Most will find a seamless transition to VCU from high school or community college programs. Placement testing and the transfer of Advanced Placement, IB and other college-level courses from high school or from a community college can shorten time to degree completion and make it easier for students to pursue dual or double majors and build on minors or certificate programs from across VCU.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:
Foreign language program core outcomes
- Demonstrate oral and aural communication skills in context
- Demonstrate written communication skills
- Demonstrate critical and analytical reading skills
- Demonstrate literary and cultural competency
Dual language concentration-specific outcome
- Demonstrate solid foundational skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in two languages
- Demonstrate cultural competency in two different linguistic regions of the world
Experiential learning and study abroad
Each student completing a degree program within the School of World Studies is required to complete a World ePass as part of their experiential learning requirement; students are also encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. For more information on the ePass portfolio and study abroad opportunities, students may visit the overview page for the School of World Studies.
Special requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages with a concentration in dual languages, students must complete 39 credits within the major (18 credits in a target language and 15 credits in a second language), 27 credits of which must be upper-level (300-level or above), with a minimum major GPA of 2.25.
All foreign language majors, students transferring credits from study abroad and transfer students who major in a foreign language must include in their target-language course work a minimum of 12 VCU credits. Both credit and distribution requirements (minimum of 11 courses in target languages) for the concentration must be satisfied.
Foreign language majors who plan on becoming language teachers in the K-12 school system are required to complete a total of 30 credits of upper-level (300- and 400-level) course work in one target language to meet certification requirements.
Degree requirements for Foreign Language, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in dual languages
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| WRLD 302 | Communicating Across Cultures | 3 |
| WRLD 490 | Seminar in World Cultures and Languages | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| Target language course work 1,2 | 18 | |
| Second language course work 1,2 | 15 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 |
| Experiential fine arts (course offered through the School of the Arts) | 1-3 | |
| • Experiential learning | 0-3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
Major-specific service-learning course | ||
Study abroad program | ||
| • Foreign language through the 102 level in both languages (by course or placement) 3 | 0-12 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course | 32-49 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Up to six credits of 200-level course work (201, 202 or 205) in each language can count within these credits.
Higher level placement score for 200-level courses (201 and 202) determines the starting point of the degree. Students who test above the course level fulfill the surpassed course credits with 300- or 400-level electives.
In order to begin upper-level course work in any foreign language, students must have consecutively completed these courses or must prove the equivalent proficiency level through placement testing.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education courses | 6 | |
| General education course (select quantitative foundations) | 3-4 | |
| Target language 101 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15-16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education courses | 9 | |
| Target language 102 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Second language 101 | 3 | |
| Target language 201 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| WRLD 302 | Communicating Across Cultures | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts course offered through the School of the Arts | 1-3 | |
| Second language 102 | 3 | |
| Target language 202 | 3 | |
| Open electives | 2-4 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Second language 201 | 3 | |
| Target language 300 (composition and communication) | 3 | |
| Target language 305, 307 or 311 (oral-communication) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| On-campus or study abroad semester | ||
| Second language 202 | 3 | |
| Target language 301 (self and society: effective writing) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Summer semester | ||
| Study abroad (recommended): | ||
| Upper-level courses in either target language that meet concentration, elective or experiential learning requirements | 0-6 | |
| (Note that credits completed during study abroad will decrease open electives needed in subsequent semesters.) | ||
| Term Hours: | 0-6 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Target language 300-level course | 3 | |
| Second language 300 (composition and communication) | 3 | |
| Second language 305, 307 or 311 (oral communication) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| World ePass site creation | ||
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| WRLD 490 | Seminar in World Cultures and Languages (capstone) | 3 |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 |
| Second language 301 (self and society: effective writing) | 3 | |
| Electives (300-level courses in either or both languages or open electives) | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-127 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.