BA World Languages and Cultures at Purdue University

Programme overview

A Bachelor of Arts at West Lafayette developing language proficiency, cultural awareness and communication skills, with concentrations in Asian studies, Chinese, classical studies, comparative literature, French, German, Italian, Japanese, language education, Russian and Spanish studies. It is a new major for entry in fall 2027.

Faculty: College of Liberal Arts | Study mode: full-time | Location: West Lafayette, IN, United States

What you will study

Concentrations span Asian, Chinese, classical, comparative literature, French, German, Italian, Japanese, language education, Russian and Spanish studies.

Career pathways

Court interpreter, foreign service officer/diplomat, immigration specialist, international business consultant, medical interpreter, program coordinator, world language teacher.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university/college (not specific to this major). Choosing a Concentration Within the world languages and cultures major you have the opportunity to pursue a concentration in: Asian studies , Chinese studies , classical studies , comparative literature , French studies , German studies , Italian studies , Japanese studies , language education , Russian or Spanish studies . When applying, you’ll choose world languages and cultures and following admission — declare your concentration. Understandin Minimum high school coursework: Math – 4 years; English – 4 years; Lab science – 3 years; Social studies – 3 years; World language – 2 years.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry terms: Fall (Early Action and Regular Decision) and Spring (check the Closed Programs page, as some majors do not start in spring). Transfer entry terms: Spring, Summer and Fall.

First-year application opens Aug. 1 and closes Jan. 15 (Regular Decision). Early Action deadline is Nov. 1 (also the merit scholarship and John Martinson Honors College deadline, and the priority deadline for engineering, computer science, flight, nursing and veterinary technology). Early Action decisions release Jan. 15; Regular Decision decisions by March 31. The nonrefundable application fee is $60. Apply using the Common App.

Transfer applications: spring term opens Sept. 1 and closes Nov. 1; summer and fall applications open Jan. 15; summer deadline April 1; fall deadline June 1 for most majors (priority deadline for engineering March 31; veterinary technology March 1, fall only). The nonrefundable application fee is $60. Applicants use the Purdue transfer application.

Purdue accepts SAT, ACT and CLT scores, with no preference among them; scores are evaluated if provided and must be from within the past five years.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.purdue.edu/apply/

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