St. John's University

What you'll study

This programme brings together language acquisition, literary study and linguistic science. You will progress from intermediate to advanced language courses in one or more Romance languages (commonly Spanish, French and Italian), while also taking modules that introduce key areas of linguistics. Core subjects typically include introductory phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics and historical linguistics. Coursework in literature and culture examines major authors, genres and periods in Romance-language literatures and explores film, media and cultural studies in those languages.

• Language skills: progressive grammar and conversation, advanced composition, translation and interpreting practice, and specialised topics such as business or literary translation.
• Linguistics: courses in phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, pragmatics, research methods and language acquisition.
• Literature and culture: survey courses in Spanish, French and Italian literatures, plus modules on modern and contemporary cultural production, comparative literature and film studies.
• Applied options: language teaching methodology, curriculum design, digital humanities, corpus linguistics, and language technology modules where available.
• Capstone and experiential learning: a senior seminar, independent research project or honours thesis, study abroad exchanges with partner institutions, and internship placements in education, cultural organisations or international business.

The degree typically combines major requirements with general education electives; students are encouraged to pursue a double major or minor in related fields such as education, international studies, communications, or computer science.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary-school diploma. Typical academic entry standards expect a solid record across humanities and languages; successful candidates usually present prior study in at least one Romance language. Admission decisions consider transcripts, a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Some students may be required to take a placement test to determine the appropriate language course level.

International applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency through accepted tests or qualifications. There may also be recommended preparation in grammar and literature for those without previous language study.

Career prospects

Graduates are well prepared for careers that require advanced language skills, cultural literacy and analytical thinking. Common career paths include:

• Language teaching and TESOL (after appropriate certification or graduate training)
• Translation and interpreting for private firms, public agencies or freelance practice
• Publishing, journalism and media roles that specialise in multilingual content
• International business, diplomacy, consular services and NGOs where multilingual communication is an asset
• Language technology, corpus analysis and localisation roles in tech companies
• Further study in linguistics, applied linguistics, literary studies, education or law

Internships, study abroad experience and the degree’s research components enhance employability by providing practical experience and professional contacts.

Why study at St. John's University

St. John’s University offers the advantages of a university located in a major multilingual metropolis, providing abundant opportunities for language immersion, internships and cultural engagement. The programme is taught by faculty with expertise across Romance linguistics, literature and applied language study, and students have access to language labs, multimedia resources and study-abroad partnerships that support real-world language use. Small-class teaching and advising help students tailor the programme to their interests, while career services and alumni networks in New York City support transitions into teaching, translation, international affairs and the creative industries.

Practical training, community engagement and connections with local cultural institutions give students frequent opportunities to apply classroom learning to professional contexts, making the degree suitable for those aiming for both academic and applied language careers.