Department of English, Foreign Languages and Speech Communications
College of Liberal Arts

The Department of English, Foreign Languages and Speech Communication offers the BA in Foreign Languages for students who wish to major in French or Spanish. The ability to speak, read, write and understand another language greatly increases future earning potential and adds an enjoyable and culturally enriching component to the undergraduate experience. Students interested in studying a foreign language are encouraged to plan a study-abroad experience, either accompanied by or in consultation with a faculty member.

Students interested in advanced study of either French or Spanish during their undergraduate career have five options:

• The Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages. Students can choose to pursue an undergraduate degree in Modern Foreign Languages with a specialization in either French or Spanish. The BA requires a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours in the primary language and twenty-four (24) credit hours in the secondary to complete a major. Students majoring in Foreign Languages will complete advanced coursework in their major language while developing a strong level of reading and speaking ability in a secondary language.

• The Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies in Spanish. The Foreign Languages Major with a Concentration in Translation Studies in Spanish requires 42 credit hours in the Spanish language. 30 credit hours must be completed in residence at JSU to include Spanish 405 Literary Translation and Localization; Spanish 406 Technical Translation and Localization; and Spanish 486 Translation Capstone.
  

• The Dual Major. Students interested in a foreign language and another field of study can complete a double major. All degree programs at Jackson State University are compatible with a degree in foreign languages; however, students interested in education, English, journalism, business, the health professions, law enforcement, the fine arts and government service will find a double major particularly useful. Interested students should inform their academic advisors in both departments early in their undergraduate careers, preferably in their first year of study. Academic advisors will then plan a sequence of courses that can be completed with the normal four years of undergraduate study. A minimum of thirty (30) credit hours in the language of choice is required.

• The Foreign Language Minor. Students who wish to develop an advanced knowledge of either French or Spanish without pursuing an undergraduate degree can complete a minor in their language of choice.  A minor in either language is a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours. Students wishing to pursue teacher certification in French or Spanish must complete a minimum of twenty-one (21) credit hours in their language of choice.

• The Minor in Translation Studies in Spanish. The Minor in Translation Studies in Spanish requires 21 credit hours in Spanish to include: Spanish 405 Literary Translation and Localization; Spanish 406 Technical Translation and Localization.

Students with three or more years of high school foreign language are encouraged to take the College Level Proficiency exam (CLEP). Successful performance on this exam allows the student to receive academic credit for one-hundred and possibly two-hundred level coursework, permitting the student to begin language study at a level appropriate to their knowledge and speaking ability. Students are, however, guided and advised by foreign language faculty to select courses that fully develop their ability to speak, read, write and understand their chosen language.