Modern Language BA, Dual Language Emphasis Professional
To meet the increasing demand for multilingual professionals, the Department offers students the option of the Dual Language Professional Track as part of the B.A. in Modern Languages. Students interested in pursuing intermediate studies in more than one language may combine the study of any two of the following languages: French, Japanese, or Spanish. Coursework focuses on developing language proficiency, intercultural competency, and professional skills. Students in the dual-language concentration also benefit from numerous study abroad opportunities to further refine their linguistic and cultural competencies.
General Education Requirements
Each language major must satisfy the general education requirements of the university and the general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Specific Requirements or Restrictions
Students entering with no high school language units must enroll in Language 1001 or may enroll in Language 2115. Language 2115 (a, b, and c) is the intensive study of a language and will satisfy the foreign language requirement. 2115a, 2115b, and 2115c are co-requisites and must be taken concurrently. To satisfy the foreign language requirement all three sections must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
A grade of D in a Language 1001 course is a passing grade but not an entrance grade for a Language 1002 course. A grade of D in a Language 1002 course is a passing grade but not an entrance grade for a Language 2101 course or its equivalent. A grade of D in a Language 2101 course fulfills the language requirement but is not an entrance grade for a higher-level course.
Demonstration of a high level of proficiency may affect the number of hours required for the major. Native or heritage speakers of a language should consult with the department concerning appropriate placement and advising. Students with previous language coursework should contact the department for language placement testing and advising. Students may not take for credit an elementary course if they have already completed a higher-level course for which the elementary course, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite.
Degree Requirements
All courses for the major must be passed with a grade of C- or better. No course required for the major may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (s/u) basis with the exception of those taken abroad as part of a university program that has received departmental approval.
Bachelor of Arts
All students seeking a B.A. in a Modern Language must successfully complete FGN LANG 2100 Languages and World View and FGN LANG 2294, Foreign Language Careers for the Global Market, and must meet the departmental requirement of a minimum of 33 hours in French or 39 hours in Japanese or 35 hours in Spanish or 30-33 hours in the Dual Language Professional Emphasis (excluding Language 1001 and 1002). The maximum number of hours that may be taken in the major is 45 (including Language 1001 and 1002). In addition, students seeking the B.A. in Modern Language who desire a teaching certificate should consult the College of Education’s advising office for additional coursework and other professional secondary education requirements.
Transfer Students
Transfer students majoring in one of the modern languages must complete at UMSL a minimum of 12 graded hours in language courses at the 3000 level or above with a grade point average of 2.0 or better in those courses.
Heritage Speakers
For departmental purposes, heritage speakers are defined as individuals who have been raised in a family or social environment in which the target language is habitually used for day-to-day communication but have not completed their secondary schooling in the target language.
Students will take a nationally-normed proficiency test (STAMP or equivalent) to determine placement:
Students who receive a score at or above the Intermediate High level of proficiency in speaking, and listening, and at or above the Intermediate Mid level of proficiency in reading and writing will be eligible to pursue the requirements of the Modern Language Major at the 3xxx and 4xxx levels. Total number of credits: 28 in Spanish or French, and 30 in Japanese including FGN LANG 2100 and FGN LANG 2294. Students completing the Japanese emphasis may include coursework in English at the 1000-level or 2000-level for the 6 elective credits in the emphasis area.
Students who receive a score below Intermediate Mid in any skill must meet with an advisor to determine proper placement.
Native Speakers
For departmental purposes, native speakers are defined as individuals who completed their secondary education or above in the target language. Students will submit an official transcript to the University.
For emphasis areas in French, Japanese and Spanish:
Native speakers will complete 3 classes at the 4xxx-level and at least 3 classes at the 3xxx or above. AND, FGN LANG 2100 (3) and FGN LANG 2294 (1). Total numbers of credits: 22 credits total, including FGN LANG 2100 and FGN LANG 2294.
For Dual Language Professional emphasis area:
Please see a content-area advisor for more information.
Native speakers will complete 3 classes at the 4xxx-level and at least 3 classes at the 3xxx or above, and, FGN LANG 2100 (3) and FGN LANG 2294 (1). Total numbers of credits: 22 credits total, including FGN LANG 2100 and FGN LANG 2294.
Emphasis Area Requirements
| FGN LANG 2100 | Languages and World View | 3 |
| Choose two of the following language options. | 30-33 | |
| At least one course (minimum 3 credit hours) must include an internship, service learning, or study abroad component. | ||
| French | ||
| Intermediate French Language and Culture | ||
| Readings in French | ||
Three courses at the 3000-level or higher, at least one of which must be business/professions-focused | ||
| German | ||
| Intermediate Practice in Speaking and Writing German | ||
| Intermediate Readings in German | ||
Three courses at the 3000-level or higher | ||
| Japanese | ||
| Intermediate Japanese II | ||
| Choose two of the following courses: | ||
| Kanji: A Radical Approach | ||
| Intermediate Japanese IV | ||
| Japanese Culture and Society | ||
| Topics in Japanese Culture | ||
| Readings in Japanese | ||
| Intermediate Japanese III | ||
| Spanish | ||
Two courses at the 2000-level above 2101 | ||
Three courses at the 3000-level, at least one of which must be business/professions-focused | ||
| One 4000-Level Capstone | 3 | |
| Capstone course requirement may be met by 4000-level language course | ||
| Total Hours | 36-39 | |
Teacher Certification
B.S. Ed. in Secondary Education with Emphasis in a Foreign Language
The B.S. Ed. is a professional education degree designed for students who wish to pursue a teaching career in secondary schools. Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the B.A. degree in the language; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification. Therefore, students interested in the B.S. Ed. should contact the advising office (OASIS) 314-516-5937 in the College of Education for discipline-specific requirements. Note: To obtain teaching certification, DESE requires a 3.0 GPA in the discipline and professional education coursework, as well as a 2.75 GPA overall.
B.A. in a Foreign Language with Master’s Level Coursework for Secondary Teacher Certification
In addition to the B.S. Ed., students may opt to complete a B.A. or B.S. degree in their discipline as an undergraduate, followed by admission to the Graduate School for Master’s level teaching certification. The College of Education has a one-year accelerated program for post-graduate certification called Teach in 12, or students can choose a traditional path to certification. Graduate coursework for certification can apply towards a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education, with additional coursework. Students interested in Master’s Level teacher certification should contact the advising office (OASIS) 314-516-5937 in the College of Education. Note: To obtain teaching certification, DESE requires a 3.0 GPA in the discipline and professional education coursework, as well as a 2.75 GPA overall.
Sample Four Year Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| INTDSC 10031 | 1 | FRENCH 1002 | 5 |
| FRENCH 1001 | 5 | JAPAN 1002 | 5 |
| JAPAN 1001 | 5 | MATH 1020 | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | 3 | EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FGN LANG 2100 | 3 | FRENCH 2180 | 3 |
| FRENCH 2101 | 3 | JAPAN 2102 | 5 |
| JAPAN 2101 | 5 | CORE - Information Literacy | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics & Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 3100 | 3 | FRENCH 3000-level Course | 3 |
| FRENCH 2170 | 3 | JAPAN 3202 | 4 |
| JAPAN 3201 | 4 | CORE - US History and Government | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics & Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FRENCH 3000-level course | 3 | FRENCH 3000-level course | 3 |
| JAPAN 4301 | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
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INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
PLEASE NOTE: This plan is an example of what a four year plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester. All requirements are subject to change.