• A foreign language is an excellent complement to other disciplines, including business, communication, management information systems, engineering, history, veterinary medicine, and agriculture.
• Study abroad for a summer, semester, or school year in Beijing and gain college credit at the same time.
• WSU offers courses taught in English on Chinese film, culture, and literature in translation.
• The Language Learning Resource Center provides the latest in language learning technology, and fully trained staff are on hand to provide assistance as needed.

Core courses

All foreign language majors take courses like these in their chosen language.

Introduction to the World of Languages
Introduction to Foreign Film
Introduction to Foreign Literature
Global Theory and Regional Reality

Fourth Semester Language Study
Intermediate Reading and Translation
Intermediate Speaking and Listening
Intermediate Grammar and Writing
Advanced Speaking and Listening
Advanced Grammar and Writing

Electives

As part of your major, you'll take some courses on film, culture, or literature of the language area, taught in English. Here are just a few examples.

Asian Film
Great Asian Directors
Modern Chinese Culture
Traditional Chinese Culture
Masterpieces of Asian Literature
The Art of War

There are also elective courses taught in Chinese that will give help you put your language skills to real-world use. Some examples:

Introduction to Literary Chinese
Media Chinese
Gender and Love in East Asian Culture
Chinese for the Professions

Foreign language majors must also complete either a minor in a second foreign language, a concentration of at least 16 credits in a related field, or a second major.

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

Studying foreign languages at WSU

At WSU, you major in a foreign language by entering the bachelor's degree program in foreign languages and cultures and choosing a primary language concentration.

Majors

You can choose a major concentration in any of these languages:

• French
• Spanish
• Chinese

In addition to your major language, you'll need to complete ONE of these supplemental requirements:

• A minor in a second foreign language
• Concentration of at least 16 credits in a field related to your major language
• A second major

Minors

You can minor in any of these languages:

• Chinese
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Spanish

WSU also offers courses in Russian and Latin.

If you have studied a foreign language before attending WSU, you may be eligible for up to eight advanced placement credits at no extra charge if you take a language course higher than 101 and attain a B or better in that course. Contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures for details.

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

To fulfill requirements for a minor in Chinese, a student must complete a minimum of 17 credits of course work in the language area.

Courses must include:

• Nine credits in the language at the 300-400 level
  or
• Six credits in the language at the 300-400 level and three credits in film, culture, or literature in the language area taught in English.

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

For all students at WSU

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:

• Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.

Click here for more info about WSU scholarships and financial aid

For language students

The Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures awards numerous scholarships annually for new students, continuing students, and those pursuing study abroad.

Students majoring in a foreign language also may apply for more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Arts and Sciences.

The study of foreign languages is an ideal enhancement to your marketability in today's work environment. Proficiency in a foreign language can improve your value and broaden your options in almost any career you choose.

What you can do with a degree in foreign languages and cultures:

• Translation and interpreting services
• Customs and immigration
• Public relations
• Business
• Teaching
• Travel and tourism
• Law enforcement
• Health services
• Publishing, editing
• Communication

Skills you can market with a degree in foreign languages and cultures:

• Ability to speak languages other than English
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Effective written and oral communication
• Reading and listening comprehension
• Critical analysis and problem solving
• Intellectual curiosity
• Ability to work solo or as a team member
• Time management and organization