Modern Languages program
Department of English & Modern Languages
The Modern Languages Program is housed in the Department of English and Modern Languages. It offers classes in Spanish, French, and German, but taking another language online through AU is also possible.
Undergraduates studying languages at AU stay busy with events throughout the year. Our department hosts Spanish Immersion Nights, where we make food from different Latino countries and have fun with activities based around a theme. Popular past themes included Myths and Legends, Eurovision & Music, Posadas, and the World Cup. Students also have the opportunity to plan and lead Spanish chapel services, and those who distinguish themselves in the study of any second language are eligible for membership in Alpha Mu Gamma, a national language honor society. Our chapter often gets together to watch foreign films or eat at local Latino restaurants.
Graduates from our Modern Languages programs are culturally competent professionals who excel in their interactions with people from diverse backgrounds. The most popular job placements for our graduates are health care, social services, and ministry. Graduates of our programs have also gone on to careers in law enforcement and business, or been accepted into graduate school. Whatever your career path, we want to help you achieve it.
Programs of Study
Spanish Major
Full Spanish majors take 34 hours of Spanish classes and usually reach superior proficiency levels (or higher). This may be completed in 3 or 4 years.
Spanish Complementary Major
AU offers a complementary Spanish major that helps students pair this course of study with another full major (for example, business). Spanish complementary majors take 27 hours of Spanish classes and usually reach superior proficiency levels (or higher).
Spanish Minor
Spanish minors take 18 hours of Spanish classes and usually reach advanced low proficiency levels, which is the doorstep to building fluency.
Spanish Studies Minor
Spanish studies minors take 8 hours of Spanish, plus a Spanish for the Professions course. We offer Spanish for healthcare, ministry, business, social work, and criminal justice as professional courses. Students also take one sociolinguistics course. This is perfect for busy students who want to speak conversational Spanish on the job, as students typically attain the intermediate high proficiency level.
French Studies Minor
French Studies minors take 8 hours of French, one European History course, and one sociolinguistics course. Students can deepen their knowledge of French culture and language and typically attain the intermediate high proficiency level.
German Studies Minor
German Studies minors take 8 hours of German, one European History course, and one sociolinguistics course. Students can deepen their knowledge of German culture and language and typically attain the intermediate high proficiency level.
Chloe’s story as a Raven — how serving prepared her.
“Going into AU, I knew that I wanted to major in Spanish and Nursing, but was nervous about scheduling conflicts. The professors were always willing to work with me to make sure I could achieve my goal of double majoring.
While at AU, I had an unforgettable opportunity of being able to serve the community of Guatemala, which allowed me to practice my Spanish in an international medical setting. Along with this, I was able to shadow a Spanish interpreter at a nearby hospital throughout the summer.
This immersion experience allowed me to practice my professionalism and Spanish skills. All of this truly enriched my college experience and helped me realize how big of an impact I am going to be able to have on my patients. After my four years at AU, I felt exceptionally prepared to start my professional career as a bilingual nurse.”
—Testimony from AU graduate, Chloe Closser
MEET OUR FACULTY
Modern Languages
Inge Baird
Assistant Professor of Spanish; Assistant Professor of German
Carrie Clay
Assistant Professor of Spanish; Director, General Studies & Professional Development
Dr. Timothy Fox
Professor of Spanish
Dr. Brandan Grayson
Chair, Department of Modern Languages; Professor of Spanish
Robert Stevens
Instructor of French
