Undergraduate Majors (BALC)

Concentrations in: French, German, Russian, and Spanish

Since Fall 2014, language majors at West Chester University study within a new degree program: the Bachelor of Arts in Languages and Cultures (BALC). This program may be completed with or without PA K-12 Certification, and it is offered within four languages: French, German, Russian, and Spanish.

The BALC major curriculum requires:

  • 10 courses in the major language of study (usually beginning at the 100 or 200 level, depending on the language (see Advising section below).
  • 2 required common core courses taught in English:
    • Comparative Language Studies (LAN 327; or LIN/ENG 230 as substitute);
    • Comparative Cultural Studies (LNC 368)
  • A required language immersion study experience for all students. This experience can be fulfilled in a number of ways, including study or an internship abroad in a country where the target language is spoken in order to achieve cultural contextual experience as well as increased language proficiency, a internship in the U.S., or through OPI examination for language proficiency.
  • The study of a second language from our program choices through the 202 level (students may also minor in one or more languages, as well as declare a major in more than one language).

Our majors develop the highest level skills for bright future careers using their language. To aid students in their language studies, the department sponsors a grants and awards competition each Fall semester; most of the successful applicants use their award funds to travel abroad. Students are encouraged to participate in language clubs as well as honor societies, to serve as language tutors and to become involved in different service learning opportunities in the surrounding communities and the greater Chester County and Philadelphia areas.

Please see the individual languages listed on the department home page for more particulars regarding curriculum and activities: