What you will study
In our foreign language bachelor’s degree program, you’ll select one of three languages
to learn French, Spanish or German beyond an Elementary II proficiency level. At the
same time, you’ll also take undergraduate courses specific to your PR, Marketing or
Criminal Justice concentration. Depending on your path, your college experience at
the University of Central Missouri could look like this:
- Criminal Justice concentration: Learn about the criminal court and justice systems before completing an internship
in criminal justice. This provides the opportunity to apply your language skills gained
from studying German, French or Spanish in a real-world setting.
- Marketing concentration: Study the principles of marketing, including consumer behavior, advertising, management
and economics. This is all while you learn French, Spanish or German to develop language
proficiency and expand your career opportunities.
- Public Relations concentration: Learn Spanish, French or German while coming to understand the foundations of public
relations, communications methods and the principles of international development.
This results in greater options for your career.
Earn college credit to finish your foreign language bachelor’s degree faster
Previous language experience may fast track your pursuit of a foreign language bachelor’s
degree, and placement exams are available for studying German, Spanish or French.
Students who hold the Seal of Biliteracy may qualify to receive credit for beginner
or intermediate classes.
Excellence in Modern Languages
- Unique to the University of Central Missouri, this Modern Languages degree with Professional
Applications gives students in the fields of criminal justice, marketing and public
relations an opportunity to learn Spanish, French or German and gain a distinct advantage
in the job market.
Unique learning opportunities in studying German, Spanish or French
What are Modern Languages French degree, Spanish degree and German degree majors doing
to maximize their college and learning experience? Opportunities both inside the classroom
and out in the world await you at the University of Central Missouri. These include:
- UCM language labs: Converse with native and advanced speakers for an immersive learning experience and
become more proficient with a foreign language bachelor’s degree.
- Internships: If you choose our Criminal Justice concentration, you’ll complete an internship in
the criminal justice system. This will allow you to see how your acquired language
skills could apply in your career as you learn French, Spanish or German.
- Study abroad program: From annual faculty-led tours to semester-long options, UCM offers you many opportunities
to study abroad. We’re also one of only a few colleges that offer scholarships and
grants for studying abroad.
- The Modern Languages Club: Enjoy cultural events, such as Chinese New Year, Day of the Dead and Oktoberfest,
while you network with fellow students.
- The Modern Languages Foreign Film Festival: Hosted for 13 years by UCM, this foreign film festival allows students in grades 6–12
to create short films in various foreign languages. The festival includes a viewing
party, workshops and an awards ceremony.
What can you do with a Foreign Language bachelor’s degree from UCM?
Employers regularly tell us they would hire students with language skills. We also
hear from alumni that their foreign language bachelor’s degree resulted in a pay increase
or accelerated career advancement.
What are Modern Languages majors in Professional Applications doing to draw attention?
Aside from language proficiency and cultural awareness, your achievement in earning
a Modern Languages degree indicates to employers that you’re a flexible learner and
critical thinker.
For students with a Criminal Justice concentration, your Modern Languages degree prepares
you for careers in law enforcement, such as a detective and social services. It is
also beneficial for those on a Pre-Law pathway. The PR and Marketing concentrations prime you for various opportunities in business.
These may even score you a job with international travel, allowing you to visit exciting
destinations while working.
Education opportunities for a Modern Languages degree
Most students who choose this foreign language bachelor’s degree end up with a double
major. After you complete the required course work, you may only need a few more credits
to earn a Criminal Justice degree, too, for example.
If you plan to pursue a master’s degree related to the Marketing concentration, a
Modern Languages degree can strengthen your grad school application. It may even meet
an admissions requirement, such as reading knowledge of one or more non-English languages.
What are modern languages careers?
Speak with our program coordinator and faculty to discuss the opportunities available
for your Modern Languages degree in Professional Applications. You can also use the
interactive tool below to explore your career options.
Financial assistance options for your Modern Languages bachelor’s degree
The potential your Modern Languages degree and PR, Criminal Justice or Marketing concentration
offer toward your career goals is immense. We offer competitive tuition rates, as
well as financial assistance resources, to help you pay for college.
The UCM Scholarship Finder allows you to search for funding opportunities relevant to a foreign language bachelor’s
degree. Among them are:
- Dalsy Deliens Brown Scholarship for majors or minors looking to learn Spanish
- Elizabeth Callaway Scholarship for a junior or senior pursuing a Spanish major
- Sawyer-Stevenson Scholarship for International Experiences, available to assist with
study abroad experiences
When pursuing a second major specific to your concentration, such as the Criminal
Justice concentration, other scholarship opportunities may exist from that discipline,
too.
Study Abroad With UCM
Enjoy real-world experiences
Exciting destinations await you with UCM’s extensive study abroad program. No matter
your goal or need, whether a two-week tour or a semester-long stay, a cultural experience
is available for you. Take this great opportunity to try new foods, meet new people
and practice the language — and do it all while earning course credit.
Where Can You Go?
Meet Tamera A.
BA Modern Languages ’22
“I think that the classes have really prepared me for the daily conversations I will
have with patients. I was introduced to words that are specific for health care professionals
that I otherwise would have had to take another class for. I plan to be a Physician's
Associate and feel prepared to comfortably speak and communicate on a health care
level in Spanish.”
Get to Know Our Instructors
Advanced and native speakers with tenure
Learn from leaders in their respective languages when you choose a Modern Languages
degree. Our faculty, whether tenured staff or native speakers, are award-winning educators
who are ready to help you elevate your career path with modern language skills.
Read Faculty Bios
Hang Out With Language Students
Join the Modern Languages Club
What are Modern Languages students doing for fun? Together, we celebrate multicultural
events, such as Day of the Dead, Chinese New Year and more. Expand your understanding
of your chosen culture, as well as other cultures within the program, and socialize
with other students in the Modern Languages Club.
Discover UCM’s Foreign Language Film Festival
An annual event for grades 6–12
Having hosted this event for 13 years, UCM is proud to offer its for Missouri and Kansas middle and high school students. What an honor to be able
to view, alongside them, foreign films they’ve created in various languages, using
English subtitles. This activity is followed by workshops and an award ceremony, making
for an exciting day we look forward to each year.
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Sawyer-Stevenson Scholarship for International Experiences Endowment
The International Studies and Modern Languages programs at UCM recently received a
permanent study abroad scholarship endowment from Dean Michael Sawyer and Dr. Joy
Stevenson, both of whom are committed to increasing student opportunities to study
abroad. This scholarship will enable full-time students to pursue their academic goals
in a foreign country and give them a chance to immerse themselves in a different culture.
Your own experience as a student who studied abroad makes you a valuable advocate
for the importance of international education. While this new scholarship will help
students in both programs to go abroad every year, we would like to increase the number
of students we can award annually and therefore ask if you are willing to make a gift
to increase the endowment and impact more students.
