University of Mount Union

What you'll study

This programme blends progressive language instruction, close study of East Asian literatures and cultures, and foundational courses in linguistics. Students typically begin with elementary through advanced language sequences (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and move on to courses that explore modern and classical literary texts, film, and cultural history.

• Language sequence: Elementary, intermediate and advanced courses in a chosen East Asian language (commonly Chinese and/or Japanese), with emphasis on communicative competence and literacy.
• Literature and culture: Survey and specialised seminars on modern and classical literature, film studies, cultural studies, and comparative topics across East Asia.
• Linguistics core: Introductory linguistics, phonetics and phonology, morphology and syntax, sociolinguistics, language acquisition, and applied linguistics topics relevant to East Asian languages.
• Translation and applied skills: Courses in translation, interpreting practicum, contrastive grammar, and computational or corpus-based methods if available.
• Research and capstone: Senior capstone seminar, independent study, or a research project combining language, literature and linguistic analysis.
• Experiential learning: Study abroad options, internships with community organisations or businesses, language lab work, and classroom practicum for students pursuing teacher licensure.

Entry requirements

Admission is through the University of Mount Union undergraduate admissions process. Prospective students should present a high school diploma or equivalent and a complete application including transcripts. Typical offers consider academic performance across secondary-school studies, especially in language and humanities subjects.

• Successful completion of secondary education with a competitive GPA.
• Transcripts and any applicable standardised-test results as required by the university.
• International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or prior education in English; placement testing in the chosen East Asian language may be required for students with prior language experience.
• Letters of recommendation, a personal statement or interview can strengthen an application, particularly for transfer or scholarship consideration.
• Students aiming for teacher certification should consult the education department for additional requirements such as background checks, GPA minimums, and practicum clearances.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics are prepared for a wide range of careers that value language proficiency, cultural literacy and analytic skills. The programme’s combination of practical language training and theoretical grounding makes alumni competitive in both public and private sectors.

• Translation, interpreting and localisation for government agencies, NGOs, businesses and media.
• Secondary and post-secondary teaching (often requiring additional teacher certification or graduate study for higher education roles).
• International business, diplomacy, and trade, where language skills and regional expertise support roles in marketing, client relations, and country desks.
• Publishing, journalism, cultural institutions and museum work involving research, curation and outreach focused on East Asian content.
• Further study in linguistics, comparative literature, area studies, law, or international affairs at graduate level.

Why study at University of Mount Union

The University of Mount Union offers a liberal-arts environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, which benefits language learners and students undertaking detailed textual and linguistic analysis. Faculty in language and linguistics typically provide personalised advising, opportunities for undergraduate research, and support for study abroad placement.

• Personalised teaching: Small seminars and language labs enable frequent speaking practice and direct feedback from instructors.
• Experiential opportunities: Established study abroad pathways and internship connections help students apply language skills in real-world contexts.
• Interdisciplinary resources: Collaboration across departments—education, history, media studies and international programs—allows students to tailor the degree to career goals.
• Career support: The university’s career services and alumni network assist with placements in education, nonprofit, government and business roles where language and cultural competencies are in demand.