Why study world languages and cultures at BGSU in Ohio?
- Highly-skilled educators. Our award-winning World Language and Cultures faculty leverages their wealth of scholarship, research and real-world experience to ensure each student excels.
- Study abroad. Immersion is one of the best teachers. That’s why BGSU prioritizes study abroad experiences for our students. Our established global partnerships with programs and universities in Austria, China, Cuba, France, Italy, Japan, Spain and Russia offer incomparable international learning opportunities.
- On-campus resources. Our on-campus learning resources include expansive university libraries and student language clubs.
- Ample scholarship opportunities. BGSU students have so many scholarship prospects – for specific degree programs, international travel or study abroad opportunities.
- Hands-on experiences. Experiential learning is a core focus of the world languages and cultures degree program. BGSU offers service learning classes, learning communities like La Comunidad, field trips, research opportunities and more!
- BGSU Peace Corps Prep Program. The BGSU Peace Corps Prep Program is a 15-credit, 3-course study concentration that offers students a chance to be a part of life-changing (and resume-boosting) international outreach and aid operations.
- Next-level learning. BGSU offers advanced study in world languages and cultures with three master’s degrees: German, Spanish and European Studies. We also offer graduate certificates and part-time M.A. tracks.
- Career connections. Our impressive alumni network includes professionals at prominent universities, major corporations and elite government agencies such as the FBI.
- Get hired! Graduates of the BGSU B.A. in world languages and cultures degree program bring essential skills to the global job market. Employers across industries recognize them as stand-out workers with exceptional abilities to communicate across cultures, think critically and ethically adapt to diverse environments with social awareness.
Second language acquisition can boost salary and job prospects by as much as 35%.
– Empirica
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Career - what can you do with a world languages and cultures degree?
The value of a B.A. in world languages and cultures from BGSU goes beyond simply learning another language. Each specialization – the Classics, French, German, Latin American cultures, Russian and Spanish – equips graduates with the communication, analytical insights and cross-cultural skills that are desired by employers.
BGSU graduates develop essential skills and industry-specific knowledge that make them highly employable in virtually every industry.
- 90% of U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills other than English.
- 25% of U.S. employers have lost business due to lack of language skills.
- 50% need multilingual talent exclusively for domestic markets.
(Source: ACTFL Language Connects)
Studying other cultures prepares you for positions in multiple career fields, including business, education, government, translation, media and international relations. Some promising career paths include:
- International business and global marketing. Communicate with international clients for expanded business opportunities. Become integral in adapting brands and messaging for different cultural markets. Manage diverse workforces and handle international hiring.
- Government, diplomacy and public service. Represent national interests through diplomacy, gather/analyze international communications for national security, assist with border security efforts or promote international cooperation.
- Education and academia. Work as a language teacher at the K-12 level or as a professor at the university level. Facilitate international exchange programs for students. Get hired as a linguistics researcher, studying language development, preservation and translation.
- Translation, interpretation and localization. Convert written texts between languages, facilitate real-time spoken communication in legal, medical or business settings or adapt various content or manuals for international audiences and/or companies.
- Journalism, media and communications. Report on international news or global affairs, write or produce media for a multilingual or global audience or manage international brand reputation. Assist with multilingual publications, magazines and book translations.
- Nonprofit and humanitarian work. Work abroad with displaced communities, refugee services and global development. Support local immigrant and multilingual communities and/or manage cultural exchange initiatives and events.
Career paths
- Language professor or teacher
- International correspondent
- International relations specialist
- Public relations specialist
- Translator
- Global marketing coordinator
- Intelligence analyst
- Diplomatic aide
- Cultural liaison
- Tourism consultant
- Humanitarian aid worker
- Cultural program coordinator
- International development specialist
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
An estimated 40% of multilingual employees say their expansive language skills helped them land a job.
– Forbes
The value of a humanities degree in world languages and cultures
Humanities are the academic disciplines focusing on human culture, history, language, philosophy and the arts. Through these studies, we explore how people see themselves, express themselves and make sense of the world and their role within it.
Communication, culture and connectivity are major drivers of success in today’s globalized world. A humanities degree in world languages and cultures instills:
- Strong communication skills. Employers value professionals who can communicate clearly and adapt their messaging to different audiences. World languages bring multilingual fluency – a powerful asset in business, diplomacy and cultural relations.
- Cross-cultural competency and global awareness. Expanding companies need employees who understand cultural nuances and global markets. These skills are critical in fields like international business, nonprofit management and tourism.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving. Humanities graduates excel at analyzing complex issues, evaluating different viewpoints and finding creative solutions. These skills are readily applied in fields such as law, journalism and corporate strategy.
- Adaptability and emotional intelligence. We’re in an era of rapid change. Professionals who can learn quickly, think flexibly and navigate diverse work environments become leaders in their fields. Fluency in multiple languages also gives workers a huge competitive advantage.
Students in humanities become strategic thinkers, skilled problem-solvers and adept cultural navigators primed for success on a global scale.
Curriculum
The curriculum for each of the specializations in the B.A. in world languages and cultures program requires a minimum of 122 credit hours, at least 36 of those in humanities and the arts and the social and behavioral sciences.
A significant component is cultural immersion. BGSU offers many options for experiential learning via our:
- Expansive study abroad programs
- International internships
- Undergraduate research positions
- Community engagement initiatives
- Service-learning opportunities and more
Exact requirements and goals may vary slightly depending on your specialization. All graduates will be expected to:
- Assess an awareness of oneself and others when engaging in cultural activities and projects.
- Develop cross-cultural communication by effectively interacting with diverse languages and cultures.
- Evaluate information, situations and pressing issues in complex cultural and linguistic contexts through critical thinking.
Sample courses
- Engaging with World Languages and Cultures
- Applied Linguistics
- Spanish Composition and Conversation
- Conversations Across Cultures
- German Literature
- Contemporary Eastern European Societies and Cultures
World languages undergraduate certificates
The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers eight world languages undergraduate certificates. Workplaces increasingly need employees who can communicate in more than one language.
The BGSU undergraduate language certificates are intended to provide professionals in multilingual work environments with useful language skills – absent the rigorous demands of a full bachelor’s degree.
Choose an undergraduate language certificate in one of the following:
- Ancient Languages (Greek and Latin)
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Russian
- Spanish
Each certificate is 6-14 credit hours and consists of at least two courses at the intermediate level. Students may be required to take a placement test or pass a lower-level language course to start. A grade of B or higher in the terminal course is required for certificate completion.
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The world languages and cultures program is part of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 12/04/2025 12:06PM