Our Programs
Where Language Meets Opportunity
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students for a globally connected world.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish, with opportunities to build practical skills in language, conversation, writing, linguistics, culture, literature, business, and translation. Minors are also available in these languages, as well as in Russian. For those seeking advanced study, the department offers Master of Arts degrees in Chinese and Spanish, providing in-depth training in language, culture, literature, and teaching. The M.A. in Chinese also features a pathway to a California teaching credential through a partnership with the School of Education. Graduates go on to careers in education, translation and interpretation, media, and international fields, or continue their studies at the doctoral level.
Our Programs
Arabic
The Arabic Program offers a 2-year course of Modern Standard Arabic comprised of 1st semester Arabic, 2nd semester Arabic, 3rd semester Arabic, and 4th semester Arabic. If offers also a variety of courses on modern Arabic literature, Qu'ranic Arabic, Arab cultural identity and Arabic film.
Chinese
The Chinese Program offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate courses in Chinese language, literature, linguistics and translation-interpretation. It also provides the following degree options: Master of Arts in Chinese, Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (major) and a minor in Chinese.
French
The French Program offers a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate courses in French language, literature and culture as well as providing the following degree options: Master of Arts in French, Bachelor of Arts in French (major) and a minor in French.
German
The German Program offers a selection of undergraduate and graduate courses in German language, literature, culture and philosophy. It also provides the following degree options: Master of Arts in German, Bachelor of Arts in German (major) and a minor in German.
Italian
The Italian Program offers a selection of undergraduate and graduate courses in Italian language, literature and culture as well as providing the following degree options: Master of Arts in Italian, Bachelor of Arts in Italian (major) and minor in Italian.
Japanese
The Japanese program offers a diverse range of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in Japanese language, literature, culture, linguistics and pedagogy, as well as providing the following degree options: Master of Arts in Japanese, Bachelor of Arts in Japanese (major) and a minor in Japanese.
Persian & Iranian Studies
The Persian & Iranian Studies Program offers courses in various aspects of the Greater Iranian cultures and civilizations as well as the Minor in Persian Studies, which is a multidisciplinary program for students seeking greater understanding of the related peoples and cultures from ancient to contemporary times.
Russian
The Russian program offers a number of courses in Russian language and culture as well as the following degree option: minor in Russian. The program features exceptional opportunities for language study in small classes supported by cutting edge-technology.
Spanish
The Spanish Program at San Francisco State offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the language, literature, and culture of Spain and Latin America in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. The program offers a Bachelor of Arts, a minor and a Master of Arts in Spanish, in addition to beginning and intermediate courses in language.
Certificate Programs
Modern Language Teaching and Learning
This undergraduate certificate prepares the student for teaching a foreign language, a career in language teaching, or graduate school in education. The 12-unit program complements degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and education, especially foreign languages.
Multilingual and International Tourism Competencies
Gain basic competency in two essential sets of skills sought after by today’s employers: Knowledge of international tourism operations as well as proficiency in languages other than English.
Multilingual and International Business Competencies
Gain basic competency in two essential sets of skills sought after by today’s employers: Knowledge of international business operations as well as proficiency in languages other than English.