Dedman College Majors

Students can specialize in French, German, or Spanish, with minors available in Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Russian. Courses also are offered in Latin and Hindi. Explore many dimensions of one or more languages through numerous media – from films and literature to state-of-the-art language labs.

Degree Highlights

Concentration of the following degrees is on acquiring advanced competency in the language, as well as mastery of literature associated with that language:

B.A. in French
Minimum 40 term hours

B.A. in German
Minimum 30 term hours, including 24 term hours of advanced courses

B.A. in Spanish
Minimum 28 term hours, including 24 term hours of advanced courses

Concentration of the following degrees is more on the linguistics, history, and culture of the language than on the literary aspect:

B.A. in Italian Area Studies
Minimum 34 term hours, including 15 term hours of advanced Italian courses

B.A. in Foreign Languages
Minimum 39-44 term hours, depending on languages chosen

Concentration of the following degrees is on the linguistic and cultural aspects of the language. Also required is a secondary focus on one of the languages in which we offer a minor:

B.A. in Foreign Language – French
Minimum 42-44 term hours, including a concentration in a second language

B.A. in Foreign Language – German
Minimum 40 term hours, including a concentration in a second language

B.A. in Foreign Language – Spanish
Minimum 39-42 term hours, including a concentration in a second language

Minors Highlights

Minor in Chinese
Minimum 17 term hours

Minor in French
Minimum 28 term hours

Minor in German
Minimum 18 term hours

Minor in Italian
Minimum 24 term hours

Minor in Italian Area Studies
Minimum 24 term hours

Minor in Japanese
Minimum 25 term hours

Minor in Russian Area Studies
Minimum 15 term hours

Minor in Spanish
Minimum 16 term hours

Related Majors and Minors

You may be surprised how marketable a degree in a foreign language is, especially when combined with a concentration in international studies, journalism, sociology, political science, or other relevant majors. Many foreign language majors add teacher certification to their degree plan.

Careers

A degree in a foreign language prepares you well for a career in foreign service, international business, social work, journalism, medicine, tourism, teaching, and a broad range of other professions. Those who are fluent in a foreign language often have a definite edge, and more companies – especially multinational concerns – now require mastery of a second language.

Faculty

Faculty focus on language as a social practice, as a way to understand not only the words but the cultures associated with that language. Instructors are committed to helping you maintain your language proficiency for years to come, and are eager to assist whenever needed. Most are prominent in their field, and many have received awards for teaching excellence.

Internships & Study Abroad

Dedman College students get paid internships through the Hegi Family Career Development Center. Students majoring in foreign languages and literatures may be eligible to earn up to three (3) graded credits toward their degrees by enrolling for unpaid, faculty-directed internships through the Dedman College Internship Program.

Perhaps there is no better way to hone your language skills and be immersed in cultural experiences than the SMU Study Abroad Program. Choose from yearlong, semester, or summer programs at locations around the world. Foreign language majors will find these programs ideal: SMU-in-Beijing, SMU-in-Germany, SMU-in-Paris, SMU-in-Rome and Bologna, SMU-in-Japan, SMU-in-Spain, and SMU-in-Xalapa, Mexico.