The Department of World Languages & Literatures offers courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Instruction focuses on the acquisition of proficiency in the language and on the development of knowledge of the culture, traditions, and literature of the speakers of the language. The department also offers several study abroad opportunities. Students who major in Spanish complete 24 hours of upper division coursework and may simultaneously earn teacher certification. Students who minor in French, German, or Spanish complete 15 hours of upper division coursework, and students who minor in Arabic, Japanese, or Chinese complete 12 hours of upper division coursework.

Individuals with proficiency in a second language are always in demand in both the public and private sectors. They facilitate communication among people and nations and make possible the free interchange of information and ideas. Career opportunities abound in such diverse fields as international business, international law, foreign affairs, translation, interpretation, politics, publishing, journalism, broadcasting, and teaching. Job candidates with advanced foreign language skills and an international perspective generally receive greater consideration from potential employers.