Department of World Languages and Cultures

19th floor, 25 Park Place Bldg.
404-413-5980
Email: wlcgraduate@gsu.edu
wlc.gsu.edu

William Nichols, Chair
Faye Stewart, Associate Chair
Gladys Francis, Director of Graduate Studies (gfrancis5@gsu.edu)

French

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers an interdisciplinary Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in French and a dual B.A./M.A. in French. In the B.A./M.A. program, B.A. students can take four graduate courses during their 3rd or 4th year (these courses count toward their B.A. and M.A.); they then complete their M.A. degree in 1 year after receiving their BA.

The Master of Arts in French degree emphasizes advanced study in the language and cultures of the French-speaking world, including courses of particular interest to foreign language teachers. We offer an innovative final portfolio model that encourages students to integrate the work they do inside and outside the classroom.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures sees itself as the gateway for students to internationalize their degree in a way that will not only help them better understand a globalized society but will also make them more competitive for career opportunities as they enter a global economy. World Languages and Cultures seeks to capitalize on the strategic location of the university at the heart of Atlanta, a global center of international commerce and culture, to offer students real world opportunities to combine and apply language abilities, cultural knowledge, and career skills. We are interested in graduate students who have a variety of lived experiences, knowledge, and linguistic/intercultural competences.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures recognizes that an active command of the world language and a thorough exploration of the related cultures form an essential basis for further study in the various areas of its curriculum. To this end, the department sponsors graduate exchange programs in France (Bordeaux and Paris), in the French Caribbean (Guadeloupe and Martinique), and in Africa (Senegal). Graduate students enrolled in the French M.A. program are uniquely provided with tailored career readiness opportunities in the francophone world through internships and externships during these exchange programs.

Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of World Languages and Cultures by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Gladys M. Francis, at the above email address.

The department is home to the Center for International Resources and Collaborative Language Engagement (CIRCLE), a multi-purpose academic support center that offers walk-in tutoring in each of the languages taught at Georgia State and provides a variety of digital resources (i.e., software, apps, media and materials) to support the language studies of the university community. In addition, the CIRCLE hosts special events focused on cultural awareness and communication opportunities, such as conversation meetups, discussion groups, and other social events, as well as language and technology workshops. The center addresses the university and College of Arts and Sciences strategic goals of increasing internationalization in the curriculum and of enhancing the global competency (including the study of world languages) of students, faculty and staff.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of World Languages and Cultures has the following requirements:

An undergraduate major or very strong knowledge in the language to be studied.
A minimum of three literature courses, including an introductory course, or equivalent.
A complete dossier which must include:
- Two-page Letter of Intent (in English) expressing the objectives of the student in entering the program;
- Two letters of recommendation (in English or in the target language) from people familiar with the candidate’s academic work; and
- A writing sample, in the target language, showing strong analytical skills

At the discretion of the Graduate Committee, an entrance exam or interview may be required. Our program does not require the GRE as part of the application materials.

Latin American Studies

Certificate program coordinator: Leslie L. Marsh (llmarsh@gsu.edu), Director, Center for Latin American and Latino/a Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies attests to the recipient’s knowledge and understanding of Latin American culture, economy, history, and politics, as well as to his or her competence in one or more of the principal languages of the region. Its purpose is to give students a broad knowledge and understanding of Latin America and U.S. Latino/as that will help prepare them to work or study in Latin America or to work with individuals and groups of U.S. Latino/as or of Latin American origin in the United States.

The certificate is particularly well suited to students pursuing graduate degrees in anthropology, art history, business, history, world languages, political science, or sociology (to name just a few) who have a concentration or a definite interest in Latin American and U.S. Latino/as or who want to expand their understanding by taking related course work. It is also well suited to individuals who desire to enhance their marketability and skills in relation to a region whose economy and culture have become increasingly important to the United States in recent years. The Certificate may be earned alone or in conjunction with a graduate program in one of the academic departments of Georgia State University; courses included in an academic program may be used for credit toward a Certificate. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required for acceptance into the Certificate program.

Applicants may obtain additional information about the certificate by contacting the coordinator of the program at the addresses above.

Additional Admission Requirements

Admission to the certificate program is on the basis of:

A BA/BS or graduate degree;
Prior course work indicated in valid transcripts;
A statement of purpose;
Two letters of recommendation;
Competence in Spanish or Portuguese.

Competence is demonstrated by completion of a four-semester sequence of the language at the undergraduate level, by completion of at least one graduate course in Spanish, or by an entrance language exam administered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Candidates who have completed the four semester sequence more than three years before applying for admission to the certificate program will be required to take the entrance language exam. Students should consult with their advisor on how best to fulfill this requirement.

Applicants should apply online at the following: cas.gsu.edu/graduate-services/admissions/. A committee chaired by the certificate coordinator/director of the CLALS will review the material, decide on admission, and assign an appropriate advisor.

Spanish

The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Spanish. The Master of Arts degree emphasizes advanced study in the language and cultures of the Spanish speaking world, including courses of particular interest to foreign language teachers.

Applicants may obtain additional information about the Department of World Languages and Cultures by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the address above.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences, the Department of World Languages and Cultures has the following requirements:

An undergraduate major or its equivalent in the language to be studied.
A complete dossier which must include: (a) a letter of intent expressing the objectives of the student in entering the program; (b) two letters of recommendation from people familiar with the candidate’s academic work; and (c) a writing sample of an analytical nature in the target language. (At the discretion of the Graduate Committee, an entrance exam may be required.)

Program Financial Information

Lab fees are assessed automatically for students who register for certain courses. As a result, students will no longer be required to purchase lab fee cards. For more information, please feel free to contact the department or review the GoSolar or catalog course listings to determine if a course includes a lab fee.

Translation and Interpretation

P.O. Box 3970
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3970
404-413-5980
Email: wclgraduate@gsu.edu

Annette G. Cash, Director (acash@gsu.edu)

Qualification for entrance into either program is based on achievements on an appropriate proficiency examination. Candidates for the program in translation must pass a written examination in English and in the language of specialization. Candidates for the program in interpretation must pass written and oral examinations in both the source and target languages. Candidates who are not considered admissible because of insufficient knowledge of the proposed working language or deficiencies in their general backgrounds will be advised to consider preparatory courses in the Department of World Languages and Cultures or in another department. The entrance examination is offered at regular intervals each year for entrance in the fall semester. However, the course sequence in Translation or Interpretation cannot be initiated unless there is a sufficient enrollment. Thus, there is no guarantee that the Translation and Interpretation programs in French, German, and Spanish can be offered routinely every year. In some cases there will be a delay in initiating a sequence until a critical mass of qualified students is available.

In addition to demonstrating proficiency by means of the admission examination(s), candidates must demonstrate an appropriate educational background. Normally, applicants will be expected to have an American undergraduate degree or the equivalent. Candidates without a baccalaureate degree must provide evidence of educational and professional activities and accomplishments indicating that they have the prior experience needed to be successful in translation or interpretation. Students accepted into the program will not be permitted to enroll in graduate courses taught outside the Program in Translation and Interpretation unless they have applied and been admitted to the M. A. program in the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Students with a baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited institution are eligible to take undergraduate courses.

Applicants may obtain additional information about the Program in Translation and Interpretation by contacting the Director at the addresses above.