Our department offers a variety of language courses and the Spanish Minor. The Department also offers courses in Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese, as well as in other languages on occasion. Please note that MSUB only offers first year instruction in East Asian languages. Students wishing to pursue a second year of an East Asian language should plan on applying to study abroad in the respective country - spaces can be competitive.

Foreign languages, as currently taught in colleges and universities, take as their province the oral and written tradition and the culture, both old and new, of particular national groups.  Culture is an integral part of every foreign language course, from elementary to advanced courses in literature, civilization, and business.  Recorded and computerized material and tutorial programs provide the 鈥渙n location鈥� experience of cultural authenticity via computer access to the world鈥檚 major newspapers, universities, museums and archives.

The ability to communicate in a language other than one鈥檚 mother tongue has historically been the mark of an educated and successful person.  Rapid communication has made neighbors of distant peoples, and the need for language study is greater than ever before if we intend to participate in the political, economic, scientific and cultural leadership of the planet.

Sequence Course Procedures

Courses in first and second year Spanish must be taken in sequence, that sequence being 101, 102, 201, 202. 

Credit Examinations

Those students who have had previous training in a foreign language or who are native speakers of a language other than English may receive credit for their level of proficiency through a credit examination.  Depending on proficiency, students may receive from one semester to two years credit in a language.  High school study of a foreign language may provide immediate college credit to students who have applied themselves in high school. 

Upon request, the department will grant credit in a language other than those taught at MSU Billings.  Students must provide a qualified interpreter.  They must show oral proficiency for first year credit, and generally both oral and reading proficiency for second year credit.  This credit is awarded under the LANG prefix.  Credit for Native American languages is handled through the Native American Outreach Office. 

Prior to graduation, students must enroll in the course for which the credits will be awarded.  Students may elect to enroll in the course in the semester after the challenge exam is taken, or they may enroll for the course in any semester after the successful completion of the challenge exam. 

International Studies Minor

The Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages (LA 400) offers a Minor degree in International Studies. Students may complete the minor on campus (14-15 credits of focus courses) OR by completing at least a full term of study abroad through MSUB鈥檚 Study Abroad program.

Click here to learn more about the International Studies Minor.

Study Abroad

MSUB offers all students the opportunity to live and learn across the globe. Students studying Spanish may want to consider a full Spanish language immersion program, which are available in Spain, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Language immersion programs are also available in France, Germany (August only), Brazil (summer only), Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan.

Students participating in language programs for Spanish or French can tailor their program to fit their needs in the summer or can study abroad for a full semester or year. Other fully accredited summer, semester, and academic-year abroad programs are also available through MSUB's numerous partners abroad.

Interested in learning more? Check out the numerous MSUB study abroad opportunities!

Interested in speaking with a Study Abroad Adviser? Contact the Office of International Studies to schedule an appointment: LA 700 鈾� 406-657-1705 鈾� studyabroad@msubillings.edu.

Internships

Internships (some paid) are available for students of Spanish, and students minoring in a foreign language are encouraged to participate in one of these programs. Internship programs in Spanish-speaking countries are also available. For more information, schedule an appointment with the Office of International Studies.

 A full list of currently offered modern languages and literature courses can be found in the .

Faculty in Modern Languages

Dr. Thomas Regele
Associate Professor of Modern Languages & Literature