The Department of European and Classical Languages and Cultures offers a wide range of courses at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum as part of its mission to advance, refine and disseminate knowledge of the languages, literatures and cultures of Europe, both ancient and modern. At present the following languages are taught: Classical Greek, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin and Russian. The program is designed to offer students an introduction to the language, literature and culture of these language communities. Survey introductory courses are complemented by in-depth studies, providing opportunities to fulfill electives as well as to develop more specific interests of students of literature and culture. The department insists on a high competence in the language which is the basis for all other options. In addition to classes at the College Station campus, the department offers summer study programs for credit in France, Germany and Russia. Semester and full-year programs abroad are also available and encouraged.

Degree candidates in French, German and Russian are offered various options: a major in one foreign language with a minor in another field; a major in one foreign language with a minor in a second foreign language; a major in one foreign language with a major in a second foreign languages or another academic field. The department does not offer degrees in the other languages. Interdisciplinary minors in which languages play an important role, such as the minor in Classical Studies, Hispanic Studies or Comparative Cultural Studies are also important options. In general, the careful combination of foreign language skills with other curricula enhances preparation for careers in business, industry and government. Teaching certification is available to majors though the College of Education and Human Development (see information in that section of the catalog).

After meeting the University admission requirement in foreign language, students will be required to complete, by course work or placement test, all 100- and 200-level courses in sequence before taking any upper-level course. Once a student has received credit for a higher-level language course, the student is no longer eligible to receive credit for prerequisite courses.

Various certificate programs in German and Russian are available for students in several of the colleges. Each of the programs is administered jointly by the Department of European and Classical Languages and Cultures and the pertinent college. Because the programs are tailored specifically for students in various colleges, certain differences in the certificate programs do exist. It is important to follow closely the requirements for the specific certificate the student desires. The certificate programs prepare the graduate for positions in multinational companies, foreign organizations, and specific countries in which the chosen language is used. In order to earn the certificate, students will be required to take (1) six credits of course work in 200-level courses in the focal language of the certificate, and (2) nine credits of course work in culture and area studies courses. In this latter category, 3 credits will be completed in approved Humanities or Visual and Performing Arts courses, 3 credits in approved Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, and 3 credits in the culture, literature or advanced language of the focal language. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad and/or carry out international internships in conjunction with work on the certificate. Each college offering the certificate may opt to make international experience a requirement. That college will then be responsible for placement, supervision, and evaluation of the international experience. Because of limited resources, each program will have a cap on the number of students admitted to the program. Students may select from the following International Certificate Programs with concentrations in: