Languages
Pursuing a language degree at Minnesota State University, Mankato opens doors to diverse career opportunities and fosters global citizenship. With degrees in French, Spanish, Scandinavian Studies, and German, and courses in Dakota, Mandarin, and Ojibwe, students gain cultural awareness and critical thinking skills that are valuable both locally and globally.
Careers in Languages
A second language is an invaluable asset in business, healthcare, government, research, teaching, publishing, translation/interpretation, and in the performing arts.- Communications Specialist
- Teacher
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Analyst
- History/Culture Representative
Potential Salary
Median Salary $59,000
Language Programs at MSU
French
More than 300 million people speak French on all five continents. It is also the most popular second language after English, and the third-most widely spoken language in the United States. French majors and minors learn not only to communicate correctly and effectively in French, but also to understand and appreciate the diverse cultural perspectives and practices of French-speaking populations.
German
The German program emphasizes high proficiency in language and cultural studies, focusing on real-world communication skills and fostering a student-centered, immersion-based learning environment. Courses promote understanding of cultural differences, encourage reflection on literary, cinematic, and artistic works, and cultivate self-awareness and respect through diverse interactions with German-speaking countries and other regions where German is spoken.
Scandinavian Studies
We are the only public university in Minnesota offering a major in Scandinavian Studies, which allows students to combine Norwegian or Swedish language studies with an exploration of the broader Nordic cultural region, providing a deep understanding of Scandinavian heritage and history.
Spanish Program
The Spanish program serves students who are seeking high proficiency in the Spanish language and cultural studies. The focus on real-world communication in our classes promotes a student-centered environment with opportunities to exchange ideas and open minds to different ways of interpreting events from a variety of cultural perspectives.
French
More than 300 million people speak French on all five continents. It is also the most popular second language after English, and the third-most widely spoken language in the United States. French majors and minors learn not only to communicate correctly and effectively in French, but also to understand and appreciate the diverse cultural perspectives and practices of French-speaking populations.
German
The German program emphasizes high proficiency in language and cultural studies, focusing on real-world communication skills and fostering a student-centered, immersion-based learning environment. Courses promote understanding of cultural differences, encourage reflection on literary, cinematic, and artistic works, and cultivate self-awareness and respect through diverse interactions with German-speaking countries and other regions where German is spoken.
Scandinavian Studies
We are the only public university in Minnesota offering a major in Scandinavian Studies, which allows students to combine Norwegian or Swedish language studies with an exploration of the broader Nordic cultural region, providing a deep understanding of Scandinavian heritage and history.
Spanish Program
The Spanish program serves students who are seeking high proficiency in the Spanish language and cultural studies. The focus on real-world communication in our classes promotes a student-centered environment with opportunities to exchange ideas and open minds to different ways of interpreting events from a variety of cultural perspectives.
Other Language Courses
Ojibwe Courses
The Ojibwe Language courses offer an introduction to the essential skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the Ojibwe language. In addition to linguistic learning, the courses emphasize understanding the cultural background and history of the Ojibwe people. These courses are a core component of the American Indigenous Studies Program, providing a holistic approach to language acquisition while fostering deeper appreciation for Ojibwe traditions and heritage.
Chinese Courses
We offer one-year courses in beginning Mandarin Chinese, the language with the largest number of native speakers in the world. These courses will help you develop skills in Mandarin Chinese to communicate across ethnic, cultural, ideological and national boundaries and to develop an understanding of Chinese interpersonal behavioral culture and related thought patterns.
Dakota Courses
We offer Dakota in recognition of its status as a heritage language in Minnesota. Dakota is spoken in 21 Dakota communities, reservations, and reserves throughout the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada. Geographical names in Dakota language record the history and presence of Dakota people in this region for centuries. We offer two (2) years of Dakota language and culture. Education in the Dakota language provides insight into the culture and literature of the Dakota people. It also gives students background in the language that enables them to work and travel in areas where Dakota is spoken and used.
Pan Lingua: Undergraduate Conference on Languages & Cultures
PanLingua is an annual conference where undergraduate students showcase research, posters and creative work across languages and cultures. Presentations span literature, history, linguistics, arts and more, with languages like French, German, Spanish, Indigenous languages and English (for topics related to Russian, Scandinavian, Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic cultures).
Related Programs
International Relations
The International Relations degree offers students the opportunity to study international politics, history, societies, and cultures. It is an interdisciplinary program focused on the way countries and governments function around the world, interact with each other on the global stage, and how those interactions affect other countries.
International Business
Our International Business Program equips you with a global mindset essential for success across fields like finance and political science.
Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary program, academically committed to promoting multicultural and ethnic knowledge, skills and values both within and outside the United States and to preparing our students for effective participation in culturally diverse global communities.
History
The History program fosters diverse communities and multicultural connections while equipping students with critical analysis, information literacy and writing skills for careers in various fields such as education, law, museums, public service and more.
World Languages and Cultures Department
College of
Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is an inclusive community of diverse learners seeking to examine, engage with and transform the social world while nurturing creativity and innovation. Our programs build a foundation of knowledge that adapts to a constantly changing society.
Learn More About the College of Humanities and Social Sciences