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Modern Languages and Literatures

Undergraduate Major

Allendale • Face to face • 129 Credits

The ability to communicate effectively in another language expands our range of cultural competency and enriches our understanding of the world and our own culture.

Overview

Grand Valley's Modern Languages and Literatures program offers majors in French, German, and Spanish, as well as minors in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. The program emphasizes practical, task-based learning and high-impact experiences designed to immerse students in language and culture. Students benefit from extensive digital learning possibilities through the Language Resource Center and numerous cultural activities both on and off campus.

The coursework covers all aspects of language and related cultures, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students also gain practical skills such as cultural competency, critical thinking, flexibility, communication, and teamwork. The program prepares students for a variety of careers in fields like business, criminal justice, education, government, advertising, STEM, international relations, health professions, social work, hospitality, and environmental studies.

Modern language programs provide personalized advising to integrate language and culture into each student's academic and career goals. Students can participate in study abroad programs and engage closely with classmates and instructors in a relationship-rich learning community. These experiences enhance linguistic and intercultural competency, making graduates well-prepared for the global workforce.

Modern Languages and Literatures

gvsu.edu/mll
Mackinac Hall B-2-243
(616) 331-3203

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

"One of the Top Public Universities in America"
- Niche.com
94%
Graduates Employed
A "Best Bang for Your Buck"
By Washington Monthly

Language Skills Are In-Demand

The following professions are seeing an increased need for language skills:

  • Business
  • Nursing
  • Engineering and other STEM fields
  • National Security and other government positions

The Benefits of Language Learning

Multiple studies link the benefits of language learning to: 

  • enhanced cognitive ability and flexibility
  • delaying mental effects of aging
  • empathy and effective interpersonal skills
  • improved learning outcomes in other subjects

Scholarships

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.

Grand Valley offers myScholarships (a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities. myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you to scholarships for which you might qualify.

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Page last modified May 20, 2025