Assistants may teach one four-hour introductory language course, assist in the computer or audio laboratories, or serve as research assistants. The department offers some travel support for a semester of study abroad. The university also offers minority student scholarships and other scholarship opportunities. Part-time students may take up to six years to complete the degree. Students must complete 36 semester credits of graduate course work with an average of 3.0 grade-point average, including at least 21 credits in the major language.
Students take a comprehensive examination in the final semester.
A thesis option also is available. Upon approval of the Graduate Committee, qualified graduate students may major in 2 languages. Proficiency in both languages must be demonstrated at the outset of graduate work. The minimum coursework required is 15 hours in each target language, but students may be required to complete additional coursework. This option may be of particular interest to students who wish to be able to teach more than one language, or to those who wish to pursue a career in international business.