International Letters and Cultures, BA
Prepare for a global career that spans business, government, education, law, media and the nonprofit world. This international letters and cultures degree readies you to work across borders and cultures with confidence.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or any math course that meets the MATH designation
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
International Letters and Cultures degree description
The Bachelor of Arts program in international letters and cultures is grounded in the advanced study of at least one foreign language.
The program is more transcultural and transdisciplinary than a traditional languages and literatures degree program and encourages you to explore and challenge the traditional boundaries of cultures, texts and disciplines. You work closely with faculty and advisors to choose a program that combines study and research in a minimum of two cultures or disciplines, or in both.
You must meet with an advisor in the School of International Letters and Cultures to discuss this degree option. It's not recommended for first-year students.
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you are interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
Why study international letters and cultures at ASU?
Draw on ASU's wide range of language offerings, robust study abroad options and the interdisciplinary expertise of faculty who bring global perspectives into every course. The program is intentionally transdisciplinary, drawing connections among the humanities, social sciences and global studies. You develop intercultural competence, multilingual communication skills and the ability to analyze global issues from multiple perspectives. You work closely with faculty and advisors to create an individualized program while coursework emphasizes critical analysis of language, literature, media, history and cultural exchange.
Additional details
Connect with language and culture clubs, and dive into international events and cultural programming that bring your studies to life beyond the classroom.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| SLC 201 Introduction to Linguistics |
| ARB 311 Advanced Arabic Skills I |
| GRK 444 Heroes, Ancient and Modern |
| ARB 315 Advanced Arabic for Heritage Speakers |
| LAT 421 Roman Literature |
| ARB 321 Arabic Conversation I |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Effectively communicate orally and in writing in one language other than English at the mid-to-high Intermediate level standards according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines.
- Conduct a trans-lingual or trans-disciplinary research project in the two or more areas of language and/or cultural production.
- Analyze different kinds of existing, multimodal media sources that represent cross-cultural ideas or phenomena.
Effectively communicate orally and in writing in one language other than English at the mid-to-high Intermediate level standards according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Studying abroad is the perfect transition to life outside the classroom. As students become scholars in language and multiple cultures and how they intertwine, study abroad programs immerse them in the language of their choice. While studying abroad, students take courses in literature, history, sociology and more. They can gain a deeper insight into how common languages and cultures develop in particular areas of the world by studying abroad.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Program Director | 1.8% | $104,590 | Learn more |
| Cultural Studies Professor | 2.7% | $85,020 | Learn more |
| Intelligence Officer | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Political Analyst | -2.0% | $142,080 | Learn more |
| Sociologist | 3.8% | $106,030 | Learn more |
| Translator | 2.0% | $60,170 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this international letters and cultures degree prepares you for
Knowledge of multiple languages and having intercultural competencies enhance any occupation and offer graduates many career opportunities. Language-intensive careers include:
- foreign correspondent
- foreign media professional
- foreign service officer
- international banking and finance professional
- language, literature or culture teacher
- law and immigration professional
- multilingual administrative professional
- translator and interpreter
- travel professional
Possible career fields include:
- advertising, marketing and communications
- airline industry
- film, television and multimedia
- hospitality industry
- hotel and resort management
- international education and study abroad administration
- international law
- military
- publishing
- technology industries
Additional education and certification may be required for some career paths.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of International Letters and Cultures
|
DH 131
silcadvising@asu.edu
480-965-6281
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
