World languages

A Bachelor of Arts in world languages is a degree that requires the student to select two languages. Through the required coursework you learn not only practical language skills but also receive a thorough education in cultural understanding and business and professional norms. Foreign languages are increasingly important in a modern, global society, and, whether you intend to stay in the U.S. or build your career abroad, understanding and communication are key to your career goals.

Each student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in world languages can elect Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish as their primary language of study, and complement it with a secondary language from the same list, plus Japanese or Latin. Students studying Spanish have the added nuance of taking courses designed for native speakers, non-native speakers or heritage speakers – categories of linguistic ability determined by a faculty advisor.

Let’s start with employment outlook. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), 90% of U.S. employers rely on employees who speak more than one language, and 1 in 3 report a shortage of multilingual professionals.

Firms’ need for workers with international expertise is significant. A striking 84% of respondents in a report from the Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) said their company would place greater emphasis on international competence over the next 10 years. No region of the world is exempt, and respondents to the survey identified 27 languages as important to their businesses.

In addition, students in the World Languages Department are well positioned to received competitive international scholarships and fellowships from the Critical Language Scholarship Program, the Gilman International Scholarship Program and the Fulbright. Between 2021–2025, more than 40% of SMU’s Fulbright grantees and alternates majored or minored in a world language.

Certainly! Many students combine the world languages degree to add specialization and distinction to their degrees in business, law, technology, medicine and more. Pairing a language with an area of interest – such as finance, international relations or economics – is highly desirable to employers. 

Typically, the best languages for international careers are Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, German, Russian or Arabic. These languages offer the highest ROI when it comes to roles in global business, diplomacy and trade.

• Spanish is most widely used for global business, health care and international relations.
• French is essential for diplomacy, international law, fashion and beauty, and NGOs like Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières.
• An understanding of German is crucial for careers in engineering, manufacturing and EU-based automotive industries.
• Mandarin Chinese is key for international trade, artificial intelligence and global supply chain careers.
• Russian is classified by the U.S. State Department and intelligence agencies (e.g., CIA, National Security Agency and FBI) as critical for navigating relationships across Eurasia.
• Arabic proves valuable for careers in the energy sector or Middle East geopolitics.

Notably, NATO has two official languages: English and French. The United Nations recognizes six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. And the World Trade Organization (WTO) has three official languages: English, French and Spanish.

Think of it this way. A major in Spanish or French focuses deeply on the one language, its literature, history and culture. A world languages major offers a broader approach with two languages, and often combines language study with linguistics, global communication and international business studies. The world languages B.A. is a popular choice among students interested in human rights, international affairs, diplomacy, political science, security, vocal performance and theater, history, archaeology, and more.