At U.S. colleges, Spanish is the most commonly chosen foreign language major, followed by French and American Sign Language. A study by the Modern Language Association published in 2010 found that Chinese, Korean and Arabic had been the fastest-growing foreign language programs in the preceding three years. Other languages taught at universities include Italian, German, Russian, Hebrew and Latin, and occasionally Swahili and Portuguese.
Foreign language bachelor's degrees emphasize the mastery of a language along with an understanding of the history and culture of the language's country or region. These programs usually are housed in the college of arts and sciences or liberal arts within a university and include a regimen of classes within the major as well as a set of core requirements for the college. Students often spend a semester or year abroad for immersion in the language.
Master's and doctoral degrees in foreign languages go beyond fluency in the language and typically involve focused studies with a particular angle. Master's degree seekers earn advanced credentials in translating, teaching the language to English speakers or applying the language to business or politics. A doctoral degree in a foreign language involves a dissertation about a specific matter related to the language, such as linguistic history or the culture of the language's native country.
Many students earn a foreign language degree as part of a double major. Common pairings are English, education, economics, business and political science. These combinations offer broader career preparation, especially for foreign language students who do not intend to seek employment in academia. Some universities offer specialized programs that combine language studies with other skills, such as the bachelor's in Foreign Language and Communication Media at American University or the master's in Teaching French as a Foreign Language at New York University.
Foreign language degrees lead to careers in academics, government and private business. Some school districts and banks offer higher pay for bilingual employees. Businesses that conduct international trade employ interpreters and translators, as do news media, travel companies and government entities such as the State Department and local social services groups. A bachelor's in a foreign language along with a teaching certificate generally qualifies you to teach at the high school level, and an advanced degree can lead to university teaching positions.