Emory University

What you'll study

Coursework combines core training in linguistics with specialised modules in literature and cultural studies. Students tailor their studies according to language focus and research interests, typically engaging with courses such as:

• Romance Linguistics: phonology, morphology, syntax and comparative Romance grammar; sociolinguistics and dialectology of Romance-speaking communities.
• Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy: theories of language learning, syllabus and materials design, assessment and classroom methodology for Romance languages.
• Literary and Cultural Analysis: close readings of major authors and movements; theory-driven approaches to narrative, poetry and drama; studies of film, visual culture and transnational literatures.
• Historical and Interdisciplinary Topics: Romance-language historical linguistics, colonial and postcolonial studies, gender and sexuality in Romance literatures, and area studies linking language to social and political histories.
• Research Methods and Professional Skills: training in scholarly research methods, digital humanities tools for textual analysis, and pedagogical practicum or internships.

Students complete a programme of advanced seminars and elective courses and usually choose between a thesis option—conducting supervised, original research—or a non-thesis route that culminates in a comprehensive examination and/or a capstone project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor's degree in a Romance language, linguistics, literature, or a closely related discipline, with a strong academic record. Demonstrated proficiency in at least one Romance language is required; applicants may be asked to provide samples of written work in the relevant language. Typical application materials include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose outlining research interests and goals, and a curriculum vitae. Some applicants may be invited to an interview. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency according to the university's standard requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme move into a wide range of careers that leverage advanced language, analytical and research skills. Common pathways include:

• Further academic study at the doctoral level and careers in university teaching and research.
• Secondary- and post-secondary language teaching and curriculum development.
• Translation and interpretation, localisation and language services for public and private sectors.
• Publishing, editing and editorial work focused on literary or scholarly texts.
• Roles in international organisations, cultural institutions, non-profits and government where language and area knowledge are important.
• Positions in technology firms and startups that require linguistic expertise for natural language processing, corpus work or content strategy.

Why study at Emory University

Emory offers specialised faculty across Romance-language fields and access to extensive research resources, including large library holdings and digital collections that support literary and linguistic research. Located in Atlanta, the university provides a vibrant urban context with cultural institutions, community language programmes and regional connections to international business and public diplomacy. The department encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across area studies, history, film and digital humanities, and supports student development through mentoring, teaching opportunities and study-abroad links that deepen language immersion and research experience.