Majors and Minors
Whether you're interested in a major or minor in Foreign Languages, a major in International Business & Cultures or a minor in International Studies, you'll find all the information you need below. We also encourage you to email us at languages@tntech.edu to schedule an appointment to discuss your options.
Find the program for you:
B.A. in French, German or Spanish »
B.S. in International Business and Culture »
Minors in French, German, Spanish, or International Studies »
English-language culture courses for the Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement »
B.A. in French, German, or Spanish
Option 1: Language Degree
View French Option 1 in Catalog » — View German Option 1 in Catalog » — View Spanish Option 1 in Catalog »
Option 1 is the curriculum to follow to earn a "pure" Foreign Languages degree. This is the option you will choose if Foreign Languages is your primary major and main focus. You would also select this option if you want Foreign Languages as a secondary major and your primary major is not in a STEM discipline. Most of our majors fall under the Option 1 curriculum.
Students in Option 1 whose goal is to teach French, German and/or Spanish may choose to work toward teaching licensure while earning the B.A. in Foreign Languages. FL Option 1 is conducive to this, since there are quite a few electives built in to the curriculum.
If you love languages and don't plan to teach or use the language in other direct ways such as translating or interpreting, there are several other options for pursuing the study of a second language.
Option 1 consists of:
- 30 hours in language starting at 1020
- 41 hours of general education
- 6 hours of other requirements
- 43 hours of electives
Option 2: Dual Major with a STEM B.S.
View French Option 2 in Catalog » — View German Option 2 in Catalog » — View Spanish Option 2 in Catalog »
Option 2 is available to students who concurrently major in engineering or manufacturing technology, computer science, mathematics, or the physical or biological sciences. With additional coursework, students from these disciplines can earn a B.A. degree in a foreign language in addition to their B.S. degree in one of these specific fields. This modified curriculum prepares students for the increasingly international dimensions of their professions.
Of course, a comprehensive, two-degree program requires at least two additional semesters, but knowing another language and having two degrees can definitely give you an edge in the job market!
To add Foreign Languages as a secondary major or to change your primary major, come to the Department of Foreign Languages Office in Oakley Hall 227, or send an email to languages@tntech.edu.
B.S. in International Business and Culture
The International Business and Cultures degree, initiated in 1998, is a unique program offering a joint Bachelor’s of Science degree in the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Business. The mission of this four-year program is to prepare our students for careers in international business. The program’s goal is to educate students in the study of human interaction and commerce. The curriculum emphasizes a strong foreign language component along with courses in world civilizations, international finance, economics, management, and marketing. Students participate in either an internship or a study-abroad program. For more information, check out the International Business and Cultures page.
Option 1: American Students
Designed for students from the United States, Option 1 consists of:
- 21 hours in language (1010-3020/3200)
- Language proficiency + marketing / finance / economics / management
Option 2: International Students
Designed for international students, Option 2 emphasizes U.S. culture instead of language.
Minors in French, German, Spanish, or International Studies
Minor in French, German, or Spanish
View French Minor in Catalog » — View German Minor in Catalog » — View Spanish Minor in Catalog »
In order to complete a minor in French, German, or Spanish, students must complete courses up to 3010 and 3020 (or equivalent), including: 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020, 3010 and 3020 (or equivalent).
If you start in 1010, this will give you 18 credit hours. If you place into a higher level, you will need to complete at least 15 credit hours of study in the same language to complete a minor, including SPAN 3010 and 3020. For more information, contact the Department of Foreign Languages.
Minor in International Studies
If you are interested in complementing your major with an international perspective, a minor in International Studies (INST) may be for you. This minor will help you to meet growing demands in a world that increasingly requires more internationally focused graduates and employees. Get transfer credit for language or culture courses that we don't regularly offer!
The International Studies minor requires a total of 15 credit hours of courses (9 credit hours lower-division and 6 credit hours upper-division) chosen from the lists found at the links below. Many students choose to take one or more of these courses while studying abroad. For more information about these minors, contact the Department of Foreign Languages.
- » Lower-Division Courses toward INST Minor »
Students may choose 9 credit hours from the following courses to fulfill the lower division
requirement:- SOC 2100 Cultural Ecology
- FREN 1010 Elementary French I
- FREN 1020 Elementary French II
- FREN 2010 Intermediate French I
- FREN 2020 Intermediate French II
- GEOG 1012 Cultural Geography
- GEOG 1035 World Regional Geography I
- GEOG 1100 Global Climate Change
- GEOG 1130 Geography of Natural Hazards
- GERM 1010 Elementary German I
- GERM 1020 Elementary German II
- GERM 2010 Intermediate German I
- GERM 2020 Intermediate German II
- HIST 1310 Science and World Cultures
- HIST 2310 Early World History
- HIST 2320 Modern World History
- SPAN 1010 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 1020 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 2010 Intermediate Spanish I
- SPAN 2020 Intermediate Spanish II
- FLST 1011 Elementary Foreign Language Study I
- FLST 1013 Elementary Foreign Language Study II
- » Upper-Division Courses toward INST Minor »
Students may choose 6 credit hours from the following courses to fulfill the upper division
requirement:- BMGT 3600 International Management
- COMM 3620 Intercultural Communications
- ECON 4510 International Trade and Finance
- ENGL 4700 Nonwestern Literature
- ENGL 4720 Continental Literature
- FLST 3520 The Cultures and Peoples of North Africa
- FREN 3510 France: The Country and the People
- GERM 3520 Germany: The Country and the People
- HIST 3550 Ancient Greece and Rome
- HIST 3710 Survey of Spanish History
- HIST 4520-4760 European, Russian, Asian, and African History
- HIST 4690-4799 Latin American Studies
- MKT 4100 International Marketing
- PHIL 3310 History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
- PHIL 4020 Comparative Religion
- POLS 4100 International Law
- POLS 3610 International Politics
- POLS 3650 International Organizations
- SOC 4040 Law and Culture
- SOC 4090 Cross Cultural Communications and Cultural Diversity
- SOC 4210 Race, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism
- SPAN 3510 Spain: The Country and the People
- SPAN 3550 Latin America: The Countries and the People
English-Language Humanities/Fine Arts Requirements
The following courses satisfy the English-language culture courses for the Humanities/Fine Arts requirement, many of which are offered online each semester:
- FREN 2510: French Culture and Civilization
- FLST 2510: Cultures and Peoples of North Africa
- GERM 2520: German Culture and Civilization
- SPAN 2510: Spanish Culture and Civilization
- SPAN 2550: Latin American Cultures and Civilizations
