What you will study
Three language and culture options are available. You can choose to earn a French
degree, Spanish degree or German degree. Your choice will determine your classes.
All students studying language and culture can take these popular courses at the University
of Central Missouri:
- World Literatures in Translation: Examine how original literature is changed in translation due to intellectual and
social forces.
- Cross-Cultural Cinema: Using literature and films, you’ll explore topics such as culture, globalization,
migration and social justice.
Prior language experience may place you beyond elementary-level classes in pursuit
of your Modern Languages degree. We offer placement exams in French, German and Spanish.
If you’ve earned the Seal of Biliteracy, you may qualify to get credit for beginning
and intermediate language and culture courses.
Excellence in Modern Languages
- UCM’s Modern Languages degree program offers students a world-class educational experience
at competitive tuition rates to deliver the competitive edge necessary in an increasingly
multicultural society.
Unique learning opportunities in language and culture
For a real understanding of another language and culture, the University of Central
Missouri offers you hands-on experiences in and out of the classroom. Use our language
labs, staffed with fluent, conversational leaders and tutors, oftentimes native speakers.
Then, enhance your experience in studying language and culture through participation
in:
- Modern Languages Club: Meet up other students studying language and culture to watch foreign films and enjoy
cultural events. These include Day of the Dead, Oktoberfest and Chinese New Year celebrations.
- Study abroad: UCM offers opportunities to take classes while living in and experiencing another
country, from two-week tours to semester-long options. We are one of few U.S. universities
that offer study abroad scholarships and grants.
- Annual study trips abroad: Each year, our Modern Languages faculty leads a group of students on a trip abroad
for real-world education to learn French, Spanish or German. Explore exciting cities
such as Vienna, Alcalá, Berlin, Munich or others, while earning course credit.
- The Modern Languages Foreign Film Festival: UCM hosts this annual language and culture film festival, enabling students in grades 6–12 to submit short films they’ve created in Arabic,
Chinese, French, German and Spanish. They then come to campus in Warrensburg to watch
the films, attend workshops and receive awards.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages from UCM?
Alumni from the University of Central Missouri often tell us that their Modern Languages
degree either landed them the job or earned them a pay raise. Your ability to interact
with international clients or community members of another culture only enhances your
value to potential employers.
Studying language and culture at UCM also provides a strong foundation to prepare for law school. Sharpen your critical-thinking skills and learn to serve a multicultural audience
as you learn Spanish, French or German.
Understanding the opportunities of a Modern Languages degree
You have access to your program coordinator and faculty mentors for questions related
to your academic opportunities and career plans. You may also use the interactive
tool below to gain insights into how a Modern Languages degree from UCM can set you
on a successful career path.
Financial assistance options for your Modern Languages degree
An investment in a Modern Languages French degree, Spanish degree or German degree
from the University of Central Missouri should deliver returns in your future. In
the meantime, we know financial aid options are helpful, even with our average tuition
fees below those of other four-year colleges across the United States. Visit our Financing Your Education page for access to the UCM Scholarship Finder, as well as for information on loans, grants
and work study.
As an undergraduate student studying language and culture at UCM, you may qualify
for program scholarships such as:
- Dalsy Deliens Brown Scholarship, available to a student who plans to learn Spanish
in the major or minor program
- Elizabeth Callaway Scholarship, available to a junior or senior student with a focus
on Spanish
- Sawyer-Stevenson Scholarship for International Experiences, available to assist with
study abroad experiences
Explore Another Language and Culture
Faculty-led study abroad program
Immerse yourself in another culture alongside fellow students in one of our annual
study abroad programs led by UCM faculty. Tour exciting destinations such as Leon,
Spain, or Vienna and Prague, sampling the food, seeing the architecture and practicing
the language. Better yet, do it all while earning course credits toward your Modern
Languages degree.
Explore Study Abroad Programs
Meet Stephen A.
BA Modern Languages - Language and Culture and BS Anthropology ’21
“Studying German at UCM was an incredible experience! Having both a native and nonnative
instructor allowed us to approach learning a new language and culture from both ends.
Both instructors were incredibly passionate about their craft and equally cooperative
and available to work with their students.”
Follow Our Foreign Language Film Festival
An annual contest for students in grades 6–12
UCM is proud to offer budding filmmakers the opportunity to create and submit foreign
films as part of its Modern Languages Foreign Film Festival. We have successfully
hosted 13 annual events for Missouri and Kansas middle and high school students to
showcase their knowledge of the Arabic, Chinese, French, German or Spanish language.
Festival on Facebook
Meet Dr. Kristy Boney
Modern Languages program coordinator
“Modern Languages never really stops looking for ways to innovate. With its streamlined
nature, combined with unique opportunities for pairing languages with professional
training, we offer something unique and vital for a 21st century workplace.”
Read Dr. Boney’s Bio
Experience Student Life
Join the Modern Languages Club
See how other cultures celebrate, and do it alongside fellow students studying language,
when you join UCM’s Modern Languages Club. Experience events within your chosen culture,
as well as those for other language and culture options, including Oktoberfest and
Day of the Dead.
Join Us on Instagram
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Students with prior language experience may enroll beyond the Elementary I level for
French, German, or Spanish. For further guidance on which class is right for you,
we offer placement exams for French, German, and Spanish. Students with the Seal of Biliteracy may qualify for credit for the beginning and
intermediate language courses.
Contact the Modern Languages Program Coordinator
Sawyer-Stevenson Scholarship for International Experiences Endowment
The International Studies and Modern Languages programs at UCM recently received a
permanent study abroad scholarship endowment from Dean Michael Sawyer and Dr. Joy
Stevenson, both of whom are committed to increasing student opportunities to study
abroad. This scholarship will enable full-time students to pursue their academic goals
in a foreign country and give them a chance to immerse themselves in a different culture.
Your own experience as a student who studied abroad makes you a valuable advocate
for the importance of international education. While this new scholarship will help
students in both programs to go abroad every year, we would like to increase the number
of students we can award annually and therefore ask if you are willing to make a gift
to increase the endowment and impact more students.
