European Studies

Career opportunities

BGSU graduates with an M.A. in European studies enter the global workforce with the skills, knowledge and international experience to excel in leadership roles in business, policy, diplomacy, education and beyond. 

Our World Languages and Culture alumni may work as international affairs analysts, studying, drafting and recommending international policy. They’re hired as corporate strategists, advising multinational corporations on market trends and global trade. Some are employed as human rights advocates, furthering meaningful humanitarian initiatives around the world. 

Students are granted broad latitude to choose an area of focus that best aligns with their long-term goals. Jobs available to graduates with a master’s in cultural studies include: 

• Policy analysis and think tanks. Our emphasis on critical thinking, research and experiential learning puts graduates in a strong position to step into influential roles with policy research organizations, European and transatlantic think tanks (analyzing E.U.-U.S. relations, international security, trade policy, etc.), human rights organizations and global consulting firms. 
• International business and trade. Expertise in European languages and markets is a major asset for international businesses. Graduates can pursue promising careers in multinational corporations as strategists or market analysts. They may also work at import/export companies, helping navigate European trade regulations. Financial institutions specializing in European markets and investments also hire those with a European cultural studies M.A. 
• Government and diplomacy. Europe remains a critical partner in global affairs. Graduates of our European studies M.A. program are ideal candidates for careers in international service, intelligence analysis and public policy. They may find positions in the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce or international organizations, such as the U.N. or E.U.
• International education and cultural exchange. Are you passionate about language, cultural diplomacy or international education? Opportunities may be ripe in teaching, curriculum development or international student advising in university administration. Museums and cultural heritage organizations are another possibility. 

World languages graduate certificates

The BGSU World Languages Department offers graduate certificates in a number of European languages. These 18-credit certificates are ideal for teachers and other working professionals seeking to advance their cultural and language skills. Some teachers also use these graduate certificates to pursue credentialing for teaching College Credit Plus (CCP) courses to high school students. 

Graduate certificates in European languages include:

• Spanish
• French
• German

Curriculum

The M.A. in European studies requires 30 graduate-level hours of coursework. Nine of those hours are required courses. 

Students choose 12 hours of electives in one of the following specializations: 

• European fine arts and literature
• A specific European region
• European languages other than English
• European politics and economics. 

There’s also a language learning component of at least two courses at the third year level or above, as well as a 3-credit hour capstone experience of either a thesis or comprehensive reading/exam. 

Required courses

European studies M.A. study abroad

Graduate students in the BGSU European studies M.A. degree program are encouraged to spend time studying and/or interning abroad. Our European partner universities include:

• The University of Salzburg in Austria
• Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier in France
• Centro Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri (CLIDA) in Italy
• The Centro Universitario Cardenal Cisneros, affiliated with the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, in Spain
• Moscow State University in Russia

Admissions 

Applicants for the M.A. in European studies must submit:

• Official transcripts showing evidence of a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA from a regionally accredited institution (Those with a lower GPA may be considered for conditional admission.) 
• A 2-3 page statement of purpose outlining your experience within the field of European studies, your professional goals and the research interests you wish to pursue
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of your qualifications and ability to successfully complete graduate study 

International applicants may need to meet additional requirements. The Department of World Languages and Cultures begins reviewing completed applications starting Feb. 15. More information is available from BGSU Graduate Admissions.