Modern Languages, Bachelor of Arts
Department of Global Languages and Cultures
College of Arts and Letters
This degree provides proficiencies in the student's choice of French, German, Japanese, or Spanish. A study-abroad requirement ensures grounding and experience among native speakers.
- Available Emphasis Areas:
- French Interdisciplinary Global Program - Emphasis
- French and Francophone Studies - Emphasis
- German Interdisciplinary Global Program - Emphasis
- German - Emphasis
- Japanese Interdisciplinary Global Program - Emphasis
- Japanese - Emphasis
- Spanish Interdisciplinary Global Program - Emphasis
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To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
- 42 - 44 units of major requirements including 18 - 20 units of emphasis requirements.
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
- For this major the General Studies prefixes include FRE, GER, JPN, or SPA depending on the prefix of your emphasis.
- Fieldwork is required for some emphasis areas.
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Required |
| Study Abroad | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Progression Plan Link | Not Available |
| Emphasis | An emphasis is required for this major. |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages provides students with a socio-cultural and historical background as well as linguistic abilities to engage with French, German, Japanese, and Spanish speaking populations from around the world in a variety of social and cultural contexts. Through linguistic, literary and cultural approaches to the study of the French, German, Japanese, and Spanish language, our students develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills that allow them to understand and interact effectively with diverse cultures. Throughout this process the students develop cognitive skills in critical thinking and analysis and recognize the importance of being able to function in a global society. With their linguistic abilities in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, they are better able to compete for career opportunities in the domestic and global job markets and are prepared to become productive, responsible members of the local, national and international communities in which they live and work.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes are Aligned with Standards for Language Learning created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
- Conduct the following in the language of emphasis (German, French, Japanese, or Spanish):
- Communicate effectively through speech about common, practical topics such as work, school, home, and free time, demonstrating a command of all key time references.
- Interact with native speakers who are unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives and handle complex or unexpected communicative tasks.
- Identify and use main ideas and details from connected aural discourse involving description and narration across different timeframes or aspects, and about a variety of topics beyond the immediacy of the situation, for communicative purposes.
- Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes.
- In written form, create with language to express meanings about familiar topics using the major timeframes with some control of aspect.
- Think critically and analytically in response to socio-cultural, historical, and linguistic issues and/or classic and contemporary literary texts related to the culture of the target language.
- Understand the cultural, political, and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices, and products within the target language populations, including the relationship between racial and ethnic diversity and these perspectives, practices, and products.
- Recognize, investigate, and produce written and oral discourse in the target language, communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in countries of the target language.
- Examine how historical, political, religious, and economic forces have shaped the current world system, characterized by power inequalities, and explore efforts to address these issues with a focus on the culture of the target language.
- Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence levels.
- Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location, and social variables.
- Explore and analyze the role of human interactions with the environment and its relation to the root causes of many global problems, focusing on those occurring in the culture of the target language.
- Consider and discuss the multifaceted ethical dimensions of learning a foreign language, and the role of language learning in promoting inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and effective and respectful communication.
- Comprehend ethical reasoning skills that cultivate empathy, introspection, and professional interaction in an environment of increasing globalization.
- Facilitate personal ethical growth through cognitive development, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
- Learn the ethical aspects of effective intercultural communication and address power dynamics, biases, and equitable representation of diverse cultures, as well as responsible technology use in language learning.
- Learn to prioritize empathy and respect within intercultural competence. These skills will be developed, reinforced, and mastered while navigating multiple languages and cultures.
Professional IGP Emphases
- Communicate in multiple languages.
- Interact with peoples from diverse cultures.
- Motivate others toward goals that contribute to positive change.
- Connect with others to form global networks of reciprocal support.
- Integrate and apply knowledge across disciplines.
Additional Admission Requirements
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Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
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- Additional Application
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- Interdisciplinary Global Program (IGP) Application
- Includes three essay prompts.
- Interdisciplinary Global Program (IGP) Application
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- See the IGP website for further information and advising support concerning GPA, course and plan completion, and other questions.
Major Requirements
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This major requires 42 - 44 units distributed as follows:
- Core Requirements: 24 units
- Emphasis Requirement - Select one: 18 - 20 units
- Non-IGP Emphasis Options:
- French and Francophone Studies Emphasis Option: 20 units
- German Emphasis Option: 20 units
- Japanese Emphasis Option: 18 units
- IGP Emphasis Options:
- French IGP Emphasis Option: 20 units
- German IGP Emphasis Option: 20 units
- Japanese IGP Emphasis Option: 20 units
- Spanish IGP Emphasis Option: 20 units
- Non-IGP Emphasis Options:
Take the following 42 - 44 units:- A grade of "C" or better or a grade of P for pass/fail coursework is required for all coursework.
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Core Requirements (24 units)
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Emphasis Requirement - Select One (18 - 20 units)
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Non-IGP Emphasis Options
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French and Francophone Studies Emphasis Option (20 units)
- FRE 201, FRE 202, FRE 303 (11 units)
- Select from the following (3 units):
- Select additional 300- to 400-level FRE electives (6 units)
In addition, it is recommended that you pass the Test de Connaissance du Français. This proficiency verification can be invaluable in your post baccalaureate endeavors. See your advisor for details.
The following course has additional prerequisites:
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German Emphasis Option (20 units)
- GER 201, GER 202, GER 303 (11 units)
- GER 304W (3 units)
- Select additional 300- to 400-level GER electives (6 units)
In addition, it recommended that you pass the Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache exam with a score of 'Gut' or better before completing your undergraduate degree. This proficiency verification can be invaluable in your post baccalaureate endeavors. See your advisor for details.
The following course has additional prerequisites:
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Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP) Emphasis Options
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You may only complete an Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP) Emphasis if you are concurrently enrolled in an eligible degree offered through the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS), the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS), the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering (SCE), or the W. A. Franke College of Business (FCB). For a listing of eligible degrees, contact an advisor in SBS, CEFNS, SCE, or the FCB.
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Minor Option
A minor is not required for the Modern Languages BA. However, if you do not have a second major, we strongly encourage you to consult with an advisor about a minor and/or elective coursework that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs.
General Electives
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Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General Studies Requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Additional Information
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You may not count FRE 101, FRE 102, FRE 105, GER 101, GER 102, GER 105, SPA 101, or SPA 102 toward your major requirements.
In addition, you may only take lower-level FRE, GER, or SPA courses if you have not already taken advanced FRE, GER, or SPA coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level FRE, GER, or SPA courses, you can't take FRE, GER, or SPA courses at the 100 level; after completing 300-level courses, you can't take 100 or 200-level courses.
Some courses may be fulfilled by CLEP or by challenge exam.
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Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.