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Earning a degree in World Languages and Cultures can open the door to a life of music, art, and culture. Capital students are able to view themselves as global citizens, ready to lead in an ever-expanding global community. Many of our faculty members also participate in extensive overseas travel and have experience living abroad, which offers unique perspectives and enriches the classroom environment.

Degrees Offered

Majors/Minors

  • International Studies
  • Spanish
  • French

Complementary Programs

Explore Cultural Diversity Through Language

Get Your Passport Stamped as a Global Citizen

World Languages and Cultures

Capital students in the World Languages and Cultures program want to earn a degree that will prepare them to make a lasting social impact in communities at home or abroad. Capital sponsors summer, semester, and year-long programs in places like France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. Capital also offers local language service-learning experiences through ESL interpreting and working with Spanish and French-speaking neighborhoods throughout Columbus. Students learn through small classes where professors know them individually and work with them to develop their strengths and confidence. Graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, or to go on to graduate school.

What can you do with a degree in this academic area?

  • International Business
  • Government Service
  • Law
  • Social Work
  • Medicine
  • Publishing
  • International Communication
  • Anthropology
12:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

17

Countries Open for Extended Study Opportunities

90+

On-campus Student Organizations

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Experiential Learning

The best experiences are in the field and Capital students have endless opportunities in local, national, and international settings. Students who want to stay in central Ohio have interned with organizations such as Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the International Visitors Center. Capital’s affiliations with The Washington Center (Amnesty International, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Senate) allow students to look for experiences on a national level. Internship partners include the Desmond Tutu Peace Center in South Africa, the UN Development Program, Liberia, and the US Embassy in Belgium.

Program Philosophy

Capital’s World Languages and Cultures program helps students communicate competently, speaking, reading and writing in the target language, and appreciating cultural diversity. Double majors and minors are encouraged for those who want to make themselves more marketable in careers such as business, international trade, international relations, law, government and social work. Capital is also a charter university for Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Language Honor Society. Phi Sigma Iota is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages with approximately 180 chapters of Phi Sigma Iota at institutions of higher learning in the US and at American University in Paris, France.

International Studies

With a degree in International Studies, students are prepared to work with international non-government organizations, social service agencies or further study in graduate or law school. Capital students begin with an international studies core of classes and then choose two areas of concentration. As part of the international studies program, students learn a second language and have the option to participate in life-changing study abroad experiences. Graduates have found fulfilling careers with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Peace Corps, and Columbus Public Schools.

Professional Memberships

Capital’s membership in the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) allows students to study in 17 different countries. These programs offer a selection of courses in a target language. CCIS is a member-driven non-profit, dedicated to working collaboratively to create the most effective and relevant study abroad opportunities for students. Capital is also affiliated with Central College’s intensive language programs in Austria, France, Germany and Spain. Capital works with each student to find a study abroad experience that works for them.

Sample Classes

  • French Communication and Culture
  • Introduction to French Literature
  • French Theatre
  • Spanish Conversation
  • Spanish Communication and Culture
  • Introduction to Hispanic Literature
  • Hispanic Migration and Identity
  • Global Awareness
“As a French major and a Spanish minor, I’ve applied what I’m learning to real-life circumstances -- and that is important to me. I interned at a local refugee resettlement agency and made great connections. I've built both interpersonal skills and language skills. I also learn a lot about international relations and business, providing me with unique experiences and knowledge that I've applied to my studies here at Capital and will definitely use in my future.”

-Riley Cochran, International Studies, French, Class of 2020

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