Department of Foreign Languages

Resources: F.A.Q.

General Questions:

  1. I am interested in taking a language course, but don’t know what level is best for me. Do you have placement tests?
    Yes. We have placement tests that you can take from home, online, in French, German, and Spanish. Please consult our Testing webpage for details on how to take the placement tests.
  2. I can't find a course in my major this semester at KSU that fits my schedule. Can I take courses at another USG school?

    Yes. KSU participates in the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE) program which permits you to “cross-register” for courses at other participating GA institutions. You must have your advisor's approval to cross-register so please contact the Department of Foreign Languages to arrange an appointment with an advisor and indicate that you wish to cross-register.

    Before meeting with your advisor, consult the websites of other ARCHE institutions to determine if they offer courses you can take. Carefully read the Eligibility Criteria Checklist on the ARCHE Cross Registration Application to make sure that you qualify for this opportunity.

  3. How do I contact the Department or make an appointment with an advisor?
    Please send your question to the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages who will direct your inquiry to the appropriate advisor.

Modern Language and Culture Program (ML&C):

  1. Where can I find information about the degree in Modern Language and Culture?
    Most of your questions can be answered by visiting the Programs section of our website. If you don’t find answers to your questions there, please contact the Department for further assistance.
  2. How does KSU's ML&C program differ from French or Spanish programs at other University System of Georgia schools?
    The ML&C degree with a primary language of French, German, or Spanish requires the same number of courses (10 courses in the primary language above the intermediate level) at KSU as at other major USG institutions. (UGA and GSU, for example, require 10 courses above the intermediate level for their degrees.) The distinguishing feature of the KSU program is the addition of an applied "concentration" which directly links a student’s language study to her/his professional goals.
  3. I already have a B.A (or B.S.) degree from another university but the degree is not in French, German, or Spanish. Can I complete a second degree in ML&C at KSU?
    Yes, you may peruse a "second degree" in ML&C. The KSU Undergraduate Catalog states:
    "Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges may obtain a second baccalaureate degree from KSU by satisfying the following requirements: * Meet all major requirements listed for the chosen program of study. * Complete the Georgia Legislature history and Constitution requirements. * Students earn at least 30 semester hours in residence at Kennesaw State University. If the first baccalaureate degree was earned at Kennesaw State University, this 30 hours must be in excess of any hours used towards the first baccalaureate degree. * Complete (for students with majors in the Bagwell College of Education) the lower division major requirement courses in Education."
    A Department of Foreign Languages advisor can assist you in determining which courses you will need to complete for the second degree. Please call the Department office at 770-423-6366 to arrange an appointment with an advisor.
  4. I am transferring from another university where I took courses in French/German/Spanish. How many hours of that credit can I transfer into the ML&C program at KSU?
    The BA in ML&C comprises 39 hours, 30 hours of coursework in FREN, SPAN, or GRMN and 9 hours of coursework in the students Concentration. At least 30 semester hours of upper-division course work in the major field must be completed at KSU. In addition, at least 24 hours of the 39 hours required for the degree must be earned in residence at KSU. At least 39 hours of upper-division work must be completed overall. (NB: Lower-level coursework substitututed for upper-level does not count; however if coursework is transferred in through the KSU database and approved at the upper-division, that coursework can be counted in the total of 39 hours required.) Your transfer evaluation report will indicate which courses are transferred to KSU with a KSU equivalent number. A Department of Foreign Languages advisor can assist you in determining which courses you will need to complete for the degree at KSU. Please call the Department office at 770-423-6366 to arrange an appointment with an advisor.
  5. I am a native speaker of French/German/Spanish and want to pursue the degree in ML&C. Do I have to complete all 10 courses required for the major?
    Yes, however, you may complete up to three of the required courses by taking an examination for advanced standing. To determine if you are eligible to take the advanced standing examinations, please consult our webpage on Testing which explains the examination procedures and provides contact information to receive additional information.
  6. What do I have to do to get a minor in French & Francophone Studies, Spanish Studies, Italian Studies, German Studies, or Chinese Studies?
    All of our minors require 5 courses in the language. If your first major is a BS degree, you may count your language 2002 course toward the minor, then you will need to complete 4 courses at the 3000 level or above. If your first major is a BA degree, you must take 5 courses at the 3000 or above. You do not need to see an advisor to declare a minor; however, we would appreciate your contacting our office to let us know of your intent to minor.

Foreign Languages Education Program (FLED):

  1. I already have a university degree in a foreign language (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, etc.) and want to be certified to teach that language in the state of Georgia. What options do I have?
    We offer three options, depending on your current employment circumstances.

    OPTION #1: If you are currently employed or have a firm offer of employment as a full-time teacher of a foreign language (either modern or classical) in a public or private SACS-accredited school in Georgia, you may qualified for admission to our Alternative Teacher Education (ATP) program, completion of which leads to clear and renewable teacher certification. You will find more details about this program on the ATP website.

    OPTION #2: If you have an undergraduate degree in French, German, or Spanish from a regionally-accredited institution, you may pursue certification in these languages by completing a second degree. The second degree requires 36 hours of upper division courses in education (including a full semester of student teaching for 12 credit hours) and the completion of the lower division major requirements in Education. Please consult the online KSU Undergraduate Catalog for details on second majors. For more information about the program, go to http://foreignlanguages.hss.kennesaw.edu/programs/bamlc.

    OPTION #3: If you have an undergraduate degree in Chinese, Asian Studies, Spanish, or Romance Languages, you may qualify for admission to the MAT in Foreign Languages, leading to certification in Chinese or Spanish. For more information about this program, go to http://www.kennesaw.edu/foreignlanguage/mat/.

  2. I want to be certified to teach a foreign language (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, or Spanish) in the state of Georgia, and my university degree is in a field other than foreign languages. What options do I have?

    OPTION #1: If you are currently employed or have a firm offer of employment as a full-time teacher of a foreign language (either modern or classical) in a public or private SACS-accredited school in Georgia, you may qualified for admission to our Alternative Teacher Education (ATP) program, completion of which leads to clear and renewable teacher certification. You will find more details about this program on the ATP website.

    OPTION #2: If your undergraduate degree is not in a foreign language, you may pursue certification in French, German, or Spanish by completing a second degree in Modern Language and Culture, with a concentration in teacher certification in French, German, or Spanish. For more information about the program, go to http://foreignlanguages.hss.kennesaw.edu/programs/bamlc.

    OPTION #3: If you have an undergraduate degree in a field other than a foreign language, but you have completed some course work in Chinese or Spanish, you may qualify for admission to the MAT in Foreign Languages by taking a content equivalency exam. For more information about this program and the exam, go to http://www.kennesaw.edu/foreignlanguage/mat/.


Alternative Teacher Preparation Program (ATP):

  1. How long does it take to complete the ATP program?
    The program typically takes 2 to 3 years to complete, depending on the individual's academic background upon entry. All courses are offered in the evening, after school hours.
  2. Is there a degree or certificate awarded upon completion of this program?
    Yes, successful completion of the program leads to a recommendation for the Clear Renewable Educator Certificate in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, or Spanish, which is issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Critical Languages Program (CLP):

  1. How are the Critical Languages courses different than the other language courses offered at the university like French, German, and Spanish?
    The Critical Languages courses follow the self-instructional language program model in which the class meetings are lead by an international student tutor who serves as a conversation guide. In the Critical Languages courses there is no traditional instructor. Each student is responsible for reviewing the material prior to class. Also, the course grades are based largely on the students’ performance during the final oral exam.
  2. What is the final oral exam?
    The final oral exam for the Critical Languages courses is the principal evaluation for determining the students’ course grades. For the oral exam the students will meet for a one-on-one interview with a native speaker of the language who serves as the oral examiner. Each oral examiner is a professor of the language. In addition, the oral exam typically accounts for 70-80% of the final grade.