Ohio Wesleyan University

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary programme brings together concentrated language study (commonly French, Spanish and/or Italian), literary analysis, cultural studies and foundational linguistics. Most students take sequential language courses to reach advanced proficiency alongside thematic literature classes (for example medieval and modern literatures, film and cultural studies) and linguistics modules that introduce phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and sociolinguistics.

• Language sequence — progressive courses in speaking, listening, reading and writing in one or more Romance languages, including advanced conversation, composition and grammar review.
• Literature and culture — courses surveying major authors and movements, period studies (such as medieval, early modern, nineteenth and twentieth‑century), and interdisciplinary seminars linking literature with history, film and visual culture.
• Core linguistics — introductory linguistics, phonetics and phonology, syntax, semantics and sociolinguistics, with emphasis on applying linguistic methods to Romance languages.
• Applied courses — translation and interpreting practice, language pedagogy and second‑language acquisition, and digital humanities approaches to textual analysis.
• Capstone and research — a senior seminar or independent research project that develops sustained analysis or applied work (for example a translation portfolio or a corpus‑based linguistic study).
• Experiential learning — study abroad options, internships with community organisations, schools or publishing/media outlets, and language practica that provide real‑world use of language skills.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a high school diploma or equivalent and a record of strong academic performance in secondary school. Successful candidates typically have prior study of a Romance language (at least one or two years), although beginners may be admitted into introductory sequences. The programme welcomes motivated students from diverse educational backgrounds and provides placement testing to determine correct course entry level.

Additional admissions elements commonly considered include academic transcripts, a personal statement indicating reasons for studying languages and linguistics, and one or more teacher or counsellor recommendations. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or school documentation, unless exempted by prior study in English.

Career prospects

Graduates leave the programme with advanced language skills, critical reading and writing abilities, and analytical training in linguistics—qualities sought across many fields. Typical career paths include:

• Education — classroom teaching, language instruction and curriculum development at K–12 and adult education levels (often pursued with additional teacher certification).
• Translation and interpreting — work in legal, medical, literary and commercial translation or in interpretation for public services and conferences.
• International business and non‑profit work — roles in international relations, development organisations, cultural institutions and corporate multilingual communication.
• Media, publishing and communications — editorial work, content creation, localisation and multilingual marketing.
• Language technology and research — careers in corpus linguistics, computational linguistics, user experience localisation, or further academic study at the graduate level in linguistics, literature, or applied language studies.
• Government and diplomacy — positions in foreign service, intelligence, policy analysis and consular services where language and cultural competency are essential.

Why study at Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan is a residential liberal arts university that emphasises small classes, close mentorship and interdisciplinary learning. In this programme students work directly with faculty on research and applied projects, benefiting from the personalised attention typical of a liberal arts environment.

The university supports language learning through dedicated language labs, conversation tables and cultural programming, and maintains established study‑abroad partnerships in Romance‑language countries to enable immersive semester and summer options. Internships coordinated through campus career services and faculty networks help bridge classroom study with professional experience.

Finally, the curriculum is designed to integrate linguistic science with literary and cultural inquiry, preparing students both for immediate entry into multilingual careers and for advanced graduate study in fields such as linguistics, comparative literature, education and international studies.