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2024-2025

Foreign Language (French or Spanish), Bachelor of Arts

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Arts (Richard Bland College of William and Mary)
Richard Bland College
Richard Bland College
Associate degree

Associate of Arts

Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.

Program description

Businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies are increasingly looking for employees with real world international experience who are able to communicate in a second language. The Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language is designed precisely for students to gain this experience and develop their abilities to communicate in a second language. The program offers major concentrations in French, German, and Spanish and minors in French, German, Italian Studies, Russian Studies, and Spanish.


The goal of the program is to broaden students’ multicultural perspective and to develop their ability to communicate across cultures so they can succeed in diverse professional environments. The degree encourages students to develop and utilize their abilities to communicate in different languages and to understand the powerful role that language and culture play in shaping every aspect of society. The curriculum places particular emphasis on the study of language as spoken in and shaped by everyday contexts, including work, rest, and recreation, and in and through popular film, music, and media.


The Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language provides a strong foundation for understanding language and culture and flexibility for students to pursue their own course of study. As is true with World Studies’ degrees in Anthropology, International Studies, and Religious Studies, Foreign Languages offers students opportunities to engage in real world learning through internships, lab-based and field research, and study abroad programs.

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language strengthens graduates' preparedness to work in global communications, marketing, public relations, and management; foreign aid and development; journalism; education; foreign service; international affairs, immigration services and the Peace Corps; organizations involved in development, disaster relief, immigration, human rights, and environmental justice advocacy; business and management in a multicultural environment. Graduates of our program will also find opportunities in teaching at home or abroad, as well as in work with a variety of public-service organizations. This degree also provides an excellent background and qualification for admission to graduate degree programs in foreign languages, international studies, international law, diplomacy, business, or journalism.


We encourage students to double major in Foreign Language and another major in the School of World Studies such as Anthropology, International Studies or Religious Studies. Doing so strengthens cumulative knowledge, experience, academic record, and resume for success in whatever path they choose after graduation.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Bilingual Customer Service Representative
  • Community Organizer Assoc
  • Copy Editor
  • Digital Marketer
  • ESL Teacher - Teaching Assistant
  • Event Planner
  • Flight Attendant
  • Health Systems Front Desk Specialist
  • International Insurance Representative
  • Language Teacher (Private School)
  • Management Trainee
  • NGO Staff
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Attorney
  • Diplomat
  • Foreign Correspondent
  • Linguistics Specialist
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
  • Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.25+ major GPA
VCU Major Maps

View VCU Major Map for Foreign Language with concentration in Dual Languages, French, German, Spanish

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Foreign Language (French or Spanish), Bachelor of Arts

Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Arts)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Attend cultural events at RBC and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU's annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Familiarize yourself with the career services offered at RBC and VCU and explore career pathways on the VCU Career Services website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
Experience Year 2
  • Explore the accelerated BA to MS in Business program.
  • Use tutoring to get ahead.
  • Learn about the World ePass and start considering how you will fulfill the experiential learning requirement for the bachelor's degree.
  • Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges by meeting with your Learner Mentor and understanding RBC Student Support available.
  • Submit the FAFSA on time.
  • Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU School of World Studies.
  • Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a second foreign language or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or School of World Studies-related events.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at RBC or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships or job experiences before your senior year of college.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at RBC and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU's annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Familiarize yourself with the career services offered at RBC and VCU and explore career pathways on the VCU Career Services website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Explore the accelerated BA to MS in Business program.
  • Use tutoring to get ahead.
  • Learn about the World ePass and start considering how you will fulfill the experiential learning requirement for the bachelor's degree.
  • Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges by meeting with your Learner Mentor and understanding RBC Student Support available.
  • Submit the FAFSA on time.
  • Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU School of World Studies.
  • Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a second foreign language or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or School of World Studies-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at RBC or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships or job experiences before your senior year of college.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Foreign Language (French or Spanish), Bachelor of Arts

Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Arts)

Richard Bland College of William and Mary courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
ENGL 101 Rhetoric and Research I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENGL 102 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
ENGL 102 Rhetoric and Research II UNIV 200 3 General education
Language & Ideas Select 2: ENGL 203, 204, 205, 206, 210, 211, 214, 215, 216, PHIL 101, 201, 202, 203, 270, REL 201, 209, 210, 270, COMM 101, 102, 201. VCU equivalent 6 General education
Fine Arts Select 1: ART 201, 202, 231, MUS 103, MUS 123, THEA 201. VCU equivalent 3 General education
MATH Select 1: MATH 110 Contemporary Mathematics or MATH 121 Pre-Calculus I MATH 131 or MATH 141 3 General education
Human Experience Select 2: PHIL 101, 121, 201, 202, 203, PSY 201-202, 217, 218, 240, 250, 292, 295, REL 201, 209, 210, SOC 201, 204, 208, 250, 253. VCU equivalent 6 General education
U.S. & World Cultures Select 3: ECON 201, 202, GEO 101, GEO 103, GOVT 201, GOVT 202, GOVT 203, HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 191, 192, HIST 201, HIST 202, HIST 240, REL 209, REL 210, REL 219, REL 220, REL 254 (at least one must be history). VCU equivalent 9 General education
Lab Science Select 1 with lab: BIOL 101/L, 110, 151/L, CHEM 101/L, 110/L, PHYS 101/L, 201/L, SCIE 111/L. VCU equivalent 4 General education
FREN 101 or SPAN 101 Elementary French I or Elementary Spanish I (or elective if placed out of this level) FREN 101 or SPAN 101 4 General education
FREN 102 or SPAN 102 Elementary French II or Elementary Spanish II (or elective if placed out of this level) FREN 102 or SPAN 102 4 General education
FREN 201 or SPAN 201 Intermediate French I or Intermediate Spanish I FREN 201 or SPAN 201 3 Major
FREN 202 or SPAN 202 Intermediate French II or Intermediate Spanish II FREN 202 or SPAN 202 3 Major
Complete requirements for associate degree VCU equivalents 9 Elective
Richard Bland credits transferred to VCU 60
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language with a concentration in French
WRLD 302 Communicating Across Cultures 3 Major
WRLD 490 Seminar in World Cultures and Languages 3 Major
FREN 300 Communication and Composition 3 Major
FREN 301 Self and Society: Effective Writing 3 Major
FREN 305 or FREN 307 Advanced Conversation or French Conversation and Film 3 Major
FREN 320 French Civilization and Culture I 3 Major
FREN 321 French Civilization and Culture II 3 Major
FREN 330 Survey of Literature 3 Major
FREN 331 Survey of Literature 3 Major
FREN Select two FREN electives (400-level or above); see VCU advisor for course options 6 Major
WRLD 495 World ePass Portfolio 0 Major (Ancillary)
Experiential learning requirement. Students must fulfill an experiential learning requirement through an approved internship, service-learning course or study abroad program. See VCU advisor for options. 0 to 3 Major (Ancillary)
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level courses): consider a minor or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. 12 Elective
Open electives 15 Elective
REAL The REAL requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing a 300-level (or higher) course that has received a REAL attribute of Level 2, 3 or 4 or through an approved “REAL” co-curricular experience that has received a REAL attribute of Level 3 or 4. See VCU advisor for options. 0 Major
Credits completed at VCU 60
Bachelor's degree total 120
Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language with a concentration in Spanish
WRLD 302 Communicating Across Cultures 3 Major
WRLD 490 Seminar in World Cultures and Languages 3 Major
SPAN 300 Communication and Composition 3 Major
SPAN 301 Self and Society: Effective Writing 3 Major
SPAN 320 or SPAN 321 Civilization of Spain I or Latin American Civilization I 3 Major
SPAN 331 or SPAN 330 Survey of Latin American Literature or Survey of Spanish Literature 3 Major
SPAN Choose one of the following oral communication-based courses: SPAN 305, SPAN 307 or SPAN 311 3 Major
SPAN Choose six credits of 300-level SPAN electives, or 400-level SPAN electives. 6 Major
SPAN Select SPAN courses (400 level). May include up to three credits of FRLG 493, SETI 400, SETI 410 or SETI 420. 6 Major
WRLD 495 World ePass Portfolio 0 Major (Ancillary)
Experiential learning requirement. Students must fulfill an experiential learning requirement through an approved internship, service-learning course or study abroad program. See VCU advisor for options. 0 to 3 Major (Ancillary)
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level courses): consider a minor or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. 12 Elective
Open electives 15 Elective
REAL The REAL requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing a 300-level (or higher) course that has received a REAL attribute of Level 2, 3 or 4 or through an approved “REAL” co-curricular experience that has received a REAL attribute of Level 3 or 4. See VCU advisor for options. 0 Major
Credits completed at VCU 60
Bachelor's degree total 120
The accelerated B.A. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.A. in Foreign Language and M.S. in Business with a concentration in marketing management in a minimum of five years by completing up to 12 credit hours of approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours including WRLD 302 and 21 credits earned at the 300-level in FREN or SPAN; an overall GPA of 3.25; and a GPA of 3.0 in the major course work.