B.A. in Modern Foreign Languages
Harrisonburg, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
We prepare students to engage with an increasingly globalized world through the intensive study of languages, literature, and cultures.
Proficiency in a foreign language is more than just an asset in today’s job market; it is an essential part of comprehending contemporary society. Our students learn how to communicate effectively in another language, while understanding and appreciating the culture in which it is spoken. Through clubs, language tables, and faculty mentorship, our graduates are poised to ride the tidal wave of globalization and enter a multitude of career areas.
Students can earn both a major in Modern Foreign Languages and a minor in a specific language. Currently, the department provides:
- Four years of instruction in Arabic, French, German, Italian and Spanish
- Three years of instruction in Chinese and Russian
- Two years of instruction in Japanese, Korean and Latin
The minimum requirement for a major in languages is 33 upper-division credit hours in a specific language.
Students majoring in modern foreign languages must complete the intermediate level of a second language unless they are:
- Completing a second major.
- Completing teaching licensure or an education minor.
- Completing two degrees.
- Completing a pre-professional health program.
If the student has a previous background in a second language, the second language requirement may also be satisfied by placing it through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literature and Cultures’ placement test. However, in this case, the student must proportionally increase the number of university electives as indicated in the B.A. degree requirements.
Required Courses
- General Education 41 Credit Hours 1
- Foreign language classes (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours 2
- Second Foreign Language (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours 2
- Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3 Credit Hours
- University electives 15-43 Credit Hours 3
- Major requirements (listed below) 33 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement and the second language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures’ placement test. The second language is not required of double majors or education minors or of those seeking teaching licensure.
3 The number of university electives varies depending on the number of actual credits earned with the first and second language requirements. These language requirements may be fully or partly satisfied through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures’ placement tests, but these tests do not confer actual credits and subsequently, the number of university electives students take will vary.
Major Requirements
All language sections share certain core requirements.
Courses
- Two language courses (300 and 320 or 321) 6 Credit Hours 1
- Two civilization courses (307 and 308) 6 Credit Hours
- Literature courses in the target language 6-12 Credit Hours
- Other courses as specified by section 9-15 Credit Hours 2
Footnotes
1 These courses fulfill the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 The courses required for Spanish majors are different, as shown in the Spanish listing.
Arabic
- ARAB 300. Arabic Grammar and Communication Credits: 3.00 1
- ARAB 307. A History of Islamicate Civilization 600-1600 A.D. Credits: 3.00
- ARAB 308. Contemporary Islamicate Civilization Credits: 3.00
- ARAB 320. Arabic Oral and Written Communication Credits: 3.00
- ARAB 371. Advanced Arabic Grammar and Translation Credits: 3.00
- Two 300- or 400-level ARAB literature courses 6 Credit Hours
- Three other 300- or 400-level ARAB courses 9 Credit Hours
- Choose one of the following courses: 3 Credit Hours
- ARAB 400. Advanced Arabic Writing and Conversation Credits: 3.00
- ARAB 411. Colloquial Egyptian Arabic I Credits: 3.00
- ARAB 412. Colloquial Egyptian Arabic II Credits: 3.00
- ARAB 413. Colloquial Levantine Arabic I (Jordanian/Palestinian) Credits: 3.00
- ARAB 414. Colloquial Levantine Arabic II (Syrian/Lebanese) Credits: 3.00
Footnote
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
French
- FR 300. Grammar and Communication Credits: 3.00 1
- FR 307. History of French Culture and Society Credits: 3.00
- FR 308. Contemporary French History and Culture Credits: 3.00
- FR 320. French Oral and Written Communication Credits: 3.00
- FR 335. Introduction to French Literature Credits: 3.00
- Three 300- or 400-level FR literature courses 9 Credit Hours
- Three other 300- or 400-level FR courses 9 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
German
- GER 300. Grammar and Communication Credits: 3.00 1
- GER 307. History of German Culture and Society Credits: 3.00
- GER 308. Contemporary German Culture and Society Credits: 3.00
- GER 320. Oral and Written Communication Credits: 3.00
- GER 341. Translation Competencies Credits: 3.00
- Three 300- or 400-level GER literature courses 2 Credits / Units: 9.00
- Three elective 300- or 400-level GER courses 2 Credits / Units: 9.00
Footnote
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 Up to two courses taught in English may be counted toward the total major unit requirement, with the approval of your adviser.
Italian
- ITAL 300. Italian Grammar and Communication Credits: 3.00 1
- ITAL 307. History of Italian Culture and Society Credits: 3.00
- ITAL 308. Contemporary Italian History and Culture Credits: 3.00
- ITAL 320. Oral and Written Communication Credits: 3.00
- ITAL 335. Introduction to Italian Literature Credits: 3.00
- ITAL 435. Translation Strategies Credits: 3.00
- Two 300- or 400-level ITAL literature courses2 6 Credit Hours
- Three elective 300- or 400-level ITAL courses2 9 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 Up to three courses taught in English may be counted toward the total major unit requirement, with the approval of your academic unit head.
Spanish
- SPAN 300. Grammar and Communication Credits: 3.00 1
- SPAN 307. History of Spanish Culture and Society Credits: 3.00
- SPAN 308. Latin American Cultures Credits: 3.00
- SPAN 320. Oral and Written Communication Credits: 3.00
or - SPAN 321. Oral and Written Communication (for Heritage Speakers) Credits: 3.00
- SPAN 335. Introduction to Spanish Literature Credits: 3.00
- Three SPAN literature courses 9 Credit Hours
- Three other 300- or 400-level SPAN courses 9 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Interpreter
- Engineer I at Citizens Energy Group
- Business Analyst/ Asset Management Analyst at Hazen and Sawyer
- Consultant-Sales Process and Digitization at Tischner Consulting
- Reinsurance Actuarial Analyst- Reach Program at Gallagher
- Communications Specialist at EPA at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
- Front End Software Engineer - Tysons at Alarm.com
- Front End Software Engineer - Greenville at Alarm.com
- (#6393523002) Front End Software Engineer - Centennial at Alarm.com
- Senior Electrical Engineer at STERIS
- Product Designer - Remote at Community Brands
- Mechanical Engineer (Entry Level) at L&T Technology Services
- 2023 Summer Intern: Sam's Club Software Engineer III at Walmart Corporate
- 2023 Summer Intern: Sam's Club Software Engineer II at Walmart Corporate
- Data Manager - Survey, Recruitment, and Biospecimen Collection Shared Resource (SRBSR) Services – Georgetown University Medical Center at Georgetown University - Cancer Prevention and Control Program
- Mechanical Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Data Visualization & Cartography Editor at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Software Engineer at ENSCO, Inc.
- Robotic Process Automation Developer at TOWNEBANK
- PCB Librarian at Second Order Effects Inc
Translation
- Book Transcriber at Flight Line Media
- Business Development Representative at HighRadius
- Looking for a Consumer Insights/Market Research Strategist 100% remote at Nimbly Insights
- Creative Consultant at Lippincott
- Remote Medical Scribe- Spanish Speaking at ScribeAmerica
- Academic Program Administrator at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, Talent Acquisition
- Program Analyst at BMNT Partners
- Data Scientist at Pozent Corporation
- Campus Technology Sales Representative - Mississippi at CDW
- Development Resource Encoder at Wycliffe Bible Translators
- Full-Time Faculty – Spanish (August 2022) (Bard High School Early College Manhattan) at Bard Early Colleges / Bard High School Early College (Headquarters)
- International Opportunity: Candidates & Recruitment Team Coordinator at Wycliffe Bible Translators
- Campus Technology Sales Representative - University of Southern Illinois Carbondale at CDW
- Campus Technology Sales Representative - University of Utah at CDW
- Campus Technology Sales Representative - University of Nebraska at CDW
- Campus Technology Sales Representative - University of Idaho at CDW
- Campus Technology Sales Representative - University of Colorado at CDW
- Campus Technology Sales Representative - University of Arizona at CDW
- Vernacular Media Specialist at Wycliffe Bible Translators
Language
- Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLP-A) at Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
- Speech Language Pathologist - SLP at Aveanna Healthcare
- (#R23046) American Sign Language Interpreter / PAHrtners Deaf Services at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Speech Therapist at Intermountain Deaconess Children's Services
- Speech Language Pathologist - SLP at Aveanna Healthcare
- Speech Language Pathologist - SLP at Aveanna Healthcare
- Faculty Instructor, Japanese Language (Osaka, Japan) at Academic Travel Abroad
- Senior Software Developer - Sign-on /Relocation Bonus Available up to $10,000 at ENSCO, Inc.
- Software Engineer at Enterprise Solutions, Inc
- Speech Language Pathologist at Kid Connections Therapy
- Speech Language Pathologist (2023-2024 School Year) at Capital Region ESD 113
- Bilingual (Spanish) Licensed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant-SLPA at SLP-tele
- REMOTE-Licensed Speech Language Pathologist-SLP at SLP-tele
- International Finance Manager (Location: China) at Midea
- Sign Language Interpreter/ Tutor at Stanislaus County Office of Education
- Bilingual (Spanish)-Licensed Speech Language Pathologist-SLP at SLP-tele
- (#4792264003) Speech and Language Pathologist (2022-2023) at Classical Charter Schools
- International Sales Coordinator for English-speaking markets (Location: China) at Midea
- International Sales Coordinator (Location: China) at Midea
Internships for JMU Students
Interpreter
- Customer Engineering Summer 2023 Internship Positions at Cummins Inc.
- Summer 2023 Internship - IT at RBC Wealth Management
- Sage Intacct Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Dell Technologies Services Undergrad Engineering Intern at Dell Technologies
- Fall 2022 Intern – Systems Engineering at Jacobs
- Managed IT Services M365 Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Managed IT Services M365 Consulting Intern - Fall 2022 at RSM US LLP
- Intelligent Automation Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Mechanical Engineering Co-Op (Spring, Summer, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- Mechanical Engineering Co-Op (Spring, Summer, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- Industrial Engineering Co-Op (Spring, Summer, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- Computer Engineering Co-Op (Summer, Spring, Fall 2023) at Bosch
- 2023 Summer Internship Program - Market and Wealth Services at Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon)
- Early Careers: Retirement Actuarial Internship at WTW
- Point Solutions Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- D365 Enterprise Delivery Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Buying Internship at PetSmart
- Digital Creative UX Intern at PetSmart
- Software Engineering Intern at BlackRock
Translation
- Data Analytics Analyst - Explorer Summer Intern Program - 2023 at Barclays
- Integration Programs Intern at National Immigration Forum
- Technical Writing Intern (Fall 2022/Remote) at IQVIA
- Warner Music U, Content Creator at Warner Music Group
- Warner Music U, Marketing Rep at Warner Music Group
- Language Access Program Intern at Ayuda
- Social Media Marketing Internship with Harvard-based Non-profit at humanID
Language
- Software Developer Internship In Fairfax, VA near GMU CAMPUS at NextgenID, Inc.
- Data Scientist Intern – Summer 2023 at WPS Health Solutions
- Intern - Inventory Performance (Summer 2023) at United Airlines
- Intern - Inventory Forecasting (Summer 2023) at United Airlines
- Law Clerk Intern - Consumer at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Managed IT Services M365 Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- Consumer and Digital Transformation Summer Intern, Project Management at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Consumer and Business Banking Summer Intern, Payments at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Software Development Intern at Trane Technologies
- Developer Analyst - Explorer Summer Intern Program - 2023 at Barclays
- Actuarial Intern at Farmers Insurance Corporate Careers
- 2023 Program Manager Intern at Amazon
- Consumer & Digital Transformation Intern – Customer Experience at Santander Bank, N.A.
- App Dev D365 Customer Engagement Consulting Intern - Summer 2023 at RSM US LLP
- IT Analyst Intern - Project Management at PetSmart
- IT Analyst - OMNI Fulfillment at PetSmart
- IT Analyst - Finance SAP at PetSmart
- IT Analyst Intern at PetSmart
- Integration Programs Intern at National Immigration Forum
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.