Modern Languages and Intercultural Communication, B.A.

The Saint Louis University Modern Languages and Intercultural Communications B.A. is the first major of its kind in the U.S. and can be studied either on the St. Louis or Madrid campuses, a collaboration between the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in St. Louis and the Department of ESL, Modern Languages and Education in Madrid. The major is aimed at students who love languages and culture and seek proficiency in multiple languages. This is also an interesting option for students majoring in International Business, International Relations, Communication and Health Sciences who may wish to enhance their career opportunities on the international market or working with international companies in their home country. Our classes are based on developing plurilingual and pluricultural competencies that enable you to transfer these skills into many careers in the global workplace.

In our globalized world, knowledge of other languages and cultures is important to a growing variety of professions, and this major is targeted at students who realize the need not only for learning more than one foreign language but also for using effective communication skills when speaking to people from other cultures. In addition, employers are seeking graduates who are able to engage in multiple languages in culturally appropriate ways to further their business goals. 

The major can be completed on either the St. Louis or Madrid campuses or through coursework on both campuses depending on what languages students wish to pursue: for example, Arabic and Portuguese are only offered in Madrid, and Chinese, German and Russian are only offered in St. Louis. Our aim for this major is to encourage students to move between the campuses and to facilitate the fulfillment of the Billiken Promise. 

Curriculum Overview

Program highlights include:

• Small class sizes and close connections to faculty
• Many professional development opportunities through experiences such as study abroad or an internship that counts towards the major
• Opportunities to study both in Madrid and St. Louis or to take advantage of our study abroad agreements with institutions in other countries thereby engaging deeply with several cultures and languages
• The opportunity to become a true global citizen

It consists of 32 credits that include three foreign languages, linguistics and intercultural communication classes, and a practicum experience abroad or in a context in which a foreign language predominates. It is broader and more practical than a pure language major and is designed to complement other majors, which affords many students the possibility of a double major.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Benefits of the MLIC major also include practicum, internship and career readiness opportunities. Department faculty assist students in finding internships both in the St. Louis area, Madrid and other study abroad locations. Being plurilingual and being able to interact effectively with people from other cultures provides you with a wider range of fieldwork and job opportunities to choose from because you are no longer limited to locations and workspaces that use English, but can think, work and travel globally.

Careers

A degree in Modern Languages and Intercultural Communication will enhance employment prospects in any area in which communication with people from other cultural backgrounds is required, for example:

• Administrative work
• Diplomatic Service
• Foreign service
• Healthcare
• International business
• International law
• Law enforcement
• Media
• Scientific research
• Translation and interpretation
• Travel and tour guides
• United Nations

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Students will be able to communicate at least at an intermediate mid/B2 level in one foreign language, at an intermediate low/B1 level in a second foreign language, and at an elementary/A2 level in a third foreign language.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the different aspects of human communication, including the relationship between language, behavior, culture and mind.
3. Students can communicate with speakers of other languages in culturally appropriate ways.
4. Students will articulate the self-development of an intercultural identity and demonstrate how this is impacted by multiple cultural influences.

The Modern Languages and Intercultural Communication B.A. requires 32 credits for the major.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

Please note, that courses offered by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures that satisfy the language requirement or the elective requirements in the MLIC major also count for many of the required core components and a student may wish to look for such courses specifically to enrich their experiences in multiple areas of their education at the same time. For example, courses that are attributed as Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society, Writing Intensive or Creative Expression. Be sure to confirm with your academic advisor and your degree mentor that you will complete all the MLIC and core requirements.

Note: SLU-Madrid and SLU-St. Louis program requirements vary slightly by campus.

This is the first major of its kind in a U.S. university, and has been developed in response to a demand from our students. It is aimed at those who have a passion for languages and culture and as a complementary major for those who would like to enhance their communicative skills and career opportunities in an international setting.

Plurilingual and pluricultural competence is essential in today’s globalized society because artificial intelligence can translate words and phrases to express basic ideas, but it cannot help you establish relationships and friendships across cultures.

Our students can communicate relatively fluently in two or three languages and have notions of at least one other. More importantly, they have the knowledge and tools to communicate effectively and thrive in other cultural settings. These skills provide them with the basis to work internationally as successful businesspeople, health workers, educators or in any other field that they choose.

Curriculum Overview

Modern Languages and Intercultural Communications B.A. is an undergraduate major, the fruit of a lengthy collaboration between the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in St. Louis and the Department of ESL, Modern Languages and Education in Madrid. It consists of 32 credits that include three foreign languages, linguistics and intercultural communication classes, and a practicum experience abroad or in a context in which a foreign language predominates. It is broader and more practical than a pure language major and is designed to complement other majors.

Knowledge of other languages and cultures is important to a growing variety of professions, and this major is targeted at students who realize the need to learn more than one foreign language and also to use effective communication skills when speaking to people from other cultures. In addition, employers seek graduates who are able to engage in multiple languages in culturally appropriate ways to further their business goals. 

The major can be completed on either the St. Louis or Madrid campuses or through coursework on both campuses depending on what languages students wish to pursue: for example, Arabic and Portuguese are only offered in Madrid and Chinese, German and Russian are only offered in St. Louis. Our aim for this major is to encourage students to move between the campuses and to facilitate the fulfillment of the Billiken Promise. 

You also have the option to study abroad at the St. Louis campus or at one of our peer AAICU institutions.

Fieldwork, Internships and Careers

The B.A. in Modern Languages and Intercultural Communication opens doors to opportunities all over the world. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of contexts that require interaction at an international level, whether in diplomacy, business, the United Nations or education. 

More and more employers seek graduates who can engage in multiple languages in culturally appropriate ways to further their business goals. "The skills needed in the workforce are shifting rapidly. Employers are looking for college graduates who not only have the latest hard skill training, but also possess soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. To set students up for long-term career success, colleges and universities must ensure their degrees and curricular experiences align with changing employment outlook data and market demands." (Hanover Research, Top skills for New Grads in 2023). 

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.

Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu. 

• Tuition and Fees
• Scholarships and Financial Aid