The world is full of languages
How far do you have to go from your front door to know that this is true? Our department's excellence comes from the emphasis placed on helping students acquire proficiency in language and culture and providing them with opportunities to live and study in the countries and regions of the world where the language and culture are found. The department offers majors in French and Spanish, and minors in French, German and Spanish. The majors prepare students for graduate studies or for careers in teaching, government, communications, business and international organizations. All courses in our majors are taught exclusively in the target languages.

Give yourself a competitive edge
Studying a second language can improve your skills and grades in math and English and can improve entrance exam scores -- GREs, MCATs, and LSATs. Research has shown that math and verbal scores climb higher with each additional year of foreign language study, which means that the longer you study a foreign language, the stronger your skills become. And three years of language study on your record will catch the eye of anyone reading your job application.

The job advantage in a global economy
More and more businesses work closely with companies in other countries. They need professionals who can communicate in different languages and understand other cultures. No matter what career you choose, if you've learned a second language, you'll have a real advantage. A technician who knows German, the head of a company who knows Spanish, or a publicist who knows French can work successfully with many more people and in many more places than someone who knows only one language.