Degree Programs

Majoring in Languages prepares one to live and work in a world in which contact with other cultures is becoming more frequent and appreciation and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity is becoming more important.

Bachelor of Arts in Languages

The Bachelor of Arts in Languages affords students two options: the Single Language Option, where students choose one target language of either French, German, Japanese, or Spanish; or the Dual Languages Option, which incorporates one target language and a second language from among those, or from American Sign Language, Chinese, or Russian. Other secondary languages may also be used with the approval of the Department.

The flexibility of the B.A. in Languages allows students to select a program suited to their individual interests, educational needs, and career goals.

Minor in Languages

A minor is a good way to acquire a significant proficiency level in a given language. In addition, by minoring, students gain formal documentation on their transcripts. This documentation can be very useful when being considered by prospective employers in a wide variety of fields, in applications to graduate school, and in other career or personal pursuits. 

Credits by Examination

The CLEP exam is availabe for French, German and Spanish, and the Dantes exam for Spanish only. The Advising and Testing Center also evaluates AP exam results for potential course credit. Please contact the UAA Testing Center for more information.

Students who are placed in upper-level courses may receive up to eight credits (two regular language courses' worth) of lower-level coursework when they pass the upper-lever class with a grade of A or B. For example, a student who passes a 202 class with an A may receive credit for 201 and 102.

During the academic year, you may also receive specialized assistance in choosing language courses that best suit your level of proficiency. Please contact the appropriate Language Coordinator to schedule an oral evaluation.