BA World Languages and Cultures at Syracuse University

Programme overview

The BA in World Languages and Cultures combines two language minors into one major, building mastery of two of six languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish. It develops literary and cultural analysis skills, multicultural awareness and global citizenship. Students can study abroad through Syracuse Abroad, which offers 100+ programs in 60 countries.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Syracuse, NY, United States

What you will study

Core coursework covers linguistics, history and literature in the two chosen languages. Sample courses include Intermediate Spanish, Introduction to Translating Chinese, Structure of Standard Arabic and German Literature Since World War II.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for employment in many fields, nationally and internationally, in the humanities and languages career path.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

First-year admission (university-wide): applicants must be enrolled in or have graduated from an accredited high school. SAT/ACT scores are not required for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 admission, and applicants without scores remain eligible for merit scholarships. Required items: Common Application or Coalition Application, official high school transcript, senior year grade report, high school counselor evaluation, one academic recommendation, and the ED Agreement if applying Early Decision. Recommended preparation: four years each of English, science, social studies and mathematics (through geometry and intermediate algebra) and at least three years of a foreign language.

Requirements published at faculty level.

USD 69,180 a year (2026-27). 2026-27 Main Campus undergraduate full-time tuition ($34,590 per semester for 12-19 credits, shown as $69,180 for the academic year on the cost page); one undergraduate rate band, the same on the international costs page. Excludes housing, meals, miscella Source

Students may apply for the fall or spring semester. First-year fall applicants may apply through Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action or Regular Decision. Transfer applicants may apply for fall or spring.

First-year deadlines: Early Action November 1; Early Decision I November 1; Early Decision II January 5; Regular Decision January 5. Fall transfer applications are due July 1; spring applications (first-year and transfer) are due November 15. Some programmes have earlier deadlines (for example Drama acting and musical theater application and prescreen December 1; architecture portfolio January 5).

First-year students apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application powered by Scoir. SAT/ACT scores are not required for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 admission, and students who do not submit scores remain eligible for merit scholarships. An application fee waiver can be requested in writing by the school counselor to [email protected].

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