Languages & Literatures
Study a Foreign Language in UNC Asheville’s Languages and Literatures Major
A languages and literatures degree prepares you for an exciting role in engaging with diverse cultures and building connections across communities. Our hands-on learning opportunities, faculty mentorship, and study abroad options enrich your studies and prepare you for a meaningful career.
Languages in Depth
In a languages and literatures major, you encounter courses that challenge you to see the world from different perspectives and engage with diverse cultures and languages. Our program curriculum reflects these objectives, offering a concentration in Spanish, as well as classes in Portuguese, Cherokee, and Hebrew.
Career Paths
A degree in Languages and Literatures prepares students for a variety of career paths that involve strong communication, analytical, and critical thinking abilities. Language skills are highly valuable as more employers seek individuals with a strong foundation in a second language. With such a versatile degree, students can become translators or interpreters, copywriters, technical writers, teachers, and more.
Internship Opportunities
UNC Asheville’s Department of Languages and Literatures offers summer internships through the Spanish Internship (SPAN 401), where students earn course credit while working with local organizations that serve Spanish-speaking communities. These experiences allow students to apply their classroom learning in real-world settings such as healthcare, education, journalism, marketing, legal services, and community outreach, while also building professional skills, strengthening communication, and preparing for future academic or career opportunities.
Expand Your Global Perspective:
Whatever or wherever you want to study, your language degree can take you far.
French is just a personal love of mine, the language is beautiful and language learning feels very organized and compatible with how I learn.
An International Experience
Recent graduates utilize their language degree in positions at respected companies and institutions across the nation, and some students gain acceptance to graduate schools to advance their education.
Claire Edens
Claire Edens' summer internship with Bounty and Soul, a local nonprofit organization, empowered her language acquisition and community engagement. Through her work, she ensured that Spanish-speaking recipients of healthy, bountiful boxes of local produce got all of their information.
Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into the Community
Spanish Professor Michelle Bettencourt lead her students in volunteering at a local market during the pandemic to provide food and to help Spanish speakers complete the 2020 Census.
Rogelio Gomez Zacarias
Rogelio Gomez Zacarias and his classmate Anya Tucker developed a series of Spanish language little libraries, or biblioteques.
Outside the Classroom
Outside the Classroom
Study Abroad Opportunities
In the Department of Languages and Literatures, students are encouraged to engage in many experiential learning and extra –curricular opportunities that we offer. Each language of the department provides different faculty-led study abroad programs and trips, clubs, internships, and service learning. We work closely with study abroad staff to ensure students get a truly international experience. We also collaborate with several national honor societies, and assist our students in finding awards and scholarships.
Outside the Classroom
Outside the Classroom
Student Clubs & Activities
Put your German skills into action with the German Club, which holds Kaffee und Kuchen, a biweekly event welcome to all levels of German speakers, as well as a monthly German Film Night.
Students can also engage with the French Conversation Table, another fun option for students to practice their language skills with others and foster connections with their peers.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities
Pursue a more affordable language degree at UNC Asheville thanks to scholarship options offered through the University, as well as those specific to languages and literatures majors. By studying French, German, or Spanish, you may qualify for awards of varying amounts, and we encourage you to reach out to learn more about current and future opportunities.
Languages & Literatures Faculty
Languages & Literatures Faculty
Languages and Literatures faculty are either native speakers of the language they teach or have extensive experience abroad, and UNC Asheville’s small classes make it easy for students to connect with professors to build mentoring relationships and receive personalized instruction.
Related Programs
Ready for What's Next?
A languages and literatures degree prepares you for an exciting role in engaging with diverse cultures and building connections across communities. Our hands-on learning opportunities, faculty mentorship, and study abroad options enrich your studies and prepare you for a meaningful career.