World Languages

About the Major

The world languages and cultures major focuses on general knowledge of a country, its language, history, culture, political and economic systems, and literature. As a student, you will gain skills in cognition, verbal abilities, competency in another language, cultural awareness, and an understanding of globalization. This major will help you learn the multiple connections between language, culture, and applications to other disciplines. IUPUI offers degrees and translation studies certificates in French, German, and Spanish, as well as courses in Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, and classic languages (e.g., Greek, Latin).

Skills and abilities this major develops includes: cultural competency, foreign language, public speaking, critical thinking, and communication (IU School of Liberal Arts, 2018).

Engaged Learning Experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IUPUI’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Service Learning

We believe strongly in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. If you want to make a difference, too, you have a home here.

Career Services

The Office of Career Development prepares, supports, and advises students each step of their career path--like finding internships and building your resume. They serve undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni and recent graduates.

Study Abroad

Choose among programs in 50+ countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are available

Opportunities After Graduation

Liberal arts graduates have a variety of career prospects upon graduation, including public relations, social services, business development, and more. The job outlook for world languages and cultures varies, depending on career and language studies. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2017), employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow much faster than average at 29% through 2024. This growth is due to increasing globalization and a more diverse U.S. population.

The average starting salary for IU School of Liberal Arts graduates from IUPUI was $38,937, and the median salary was $36,350, for the May 2019 graduating cohort. The median starting salary for liberal arts graduates who studied a foreign language was $50,000 for the class of May 2019, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE, 2020).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

World languages and cultures majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas: education, international affairs, linguistics, business management, English as a second language, journalism, political science, communications, and world language literature.

Quick Facts

Sample Coursework

Foreign language courses
World cultures through language
Translation studies
Foreign literature
Immersion abroad experience
Islam, gender, and conflicts

Possible Careers

Communications specialist
International student services
Legal analyst
Nonprofit program coordinator
Paralegal*
Translator/interpreter

*This career requires additional training or education.

Where could I work?

Business development
Community and social services
Nonprofit organizations
Religious ministries
Social work
State of Indiana

Complementing Interests

AArtistic

SSocial

EEnterprising

Get your interest code

Where to Get More Information

IU School of Liberal Arts

American Translators Association

Liberal Arts Career Development Office

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the AHHS cluster

Learn about other clusters

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