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University of South Alabama

Mobile , Alabama ,United States

Modern Languages and Literature (BA) - Spanish Concentration

The department contributes to the liberal education of all students by helping them to improve their ability to communicate with and understand other cultures in an increasingly interdependent world. Language study provides direct insight into other ways of thinking and perceiving reality, and enables a fresh perspective on students' own language and culture. The department offers a major in Modern Languages and Literature with concentrations in French, German, Russian, and Spanish. Minors in those four languages, as well as a Minor in Applied Linguistics, are available. An interdisciplinary Minor in Classical Studies is offered in cooperation with the Philosophy Department. Introductory and intermediate level courses in Arabic, ASL, Chinese, Classical and Modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin and Portuguese are also provided.

In the first-year sequences (Introductory) the student is given a basic foundation in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Typically, the emphasis is on listening and oral practice followed by development of reading and writing skills. The second-year courses (Intermediate) build upon the skills acquired in the first year. Upper-level courses provide students with more in-depth knowledge of the countries' language, culture, literature and history. Students with previous language training will be placed at the appropriate level.

All first-time freshmen must successfully complete CAS 100: First Year Experience as a degree requirement. Students must enroll during their first term at USA, except for summer-entry students who must enroll in the fall semester following entry.
Modern Languages and Literature majors are required to take LG 480 to fulfill the technology proficiency requirement, which was formerly known as the computer proficiency requirement.

Retroactive Credit Policy
It is to the advantage of students to begin their study of a foreign language at the highest possible level because they can gain college credits through appropriate placement. The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literature offers an on-line language placement exam to assist students with enrollment at the appropriate levels. Please contact the department for details. Students who place into the second semester of the introductory sequence, a higher-level in the target language, may qualify for retroactive credit. By earning a "C" or better in the higher-level course the student may petition the department for either 3 or 6 semester hours of introductory-level credit. Native speakers are not eligible.

Lesser Taught Languages Program (LTLS)
Besides its four main languages, the Department also offers four semesters of instruction for several other languages as part of its Lesser Taught Languages Program. LTLS classes meet three times a week and are conducted by native-speaker coaches. Mid-term and final student performance evaluations are administered by nationally certified external examiners. As in all language classes, success in these courses requires a high degree of motivation, self-discipline, and a long-term commitment to developing oral/aural proficiency in the target language. Students must be willing to assume responsibility for learning appropriate listening and speaking skills. Before enrolling in a LTLS course students are urged to discuss course requirements and testing procedures with the program coordinator. Call (251) 460-6291 for more information. 

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Applying for Jobs through USA
All employment opportunities that are reported to the University of South Alabama (including full-time positions, co-ops, internships) are circulated to possible candidate students by the Career Services Office. Once a student creates an account in Handshake, emails will be sent to their JagMail account when positions become available. Students should browse through Handshake frequently for updated job postings, career events, and more. To create an account, you must first have a resume to upload and unofficial transcripts.

There are two types of employment opportunities, the co-op program and internships:

Cooperative Education Program
Working as an engineer in a professional setting is a great opportunity. Students gain real-world experience that will translate into a better understanding of the concepts they are learning in class, a glimpse into what their future will look like, and an ability to better define their job preferences when interviewing for a permanent position upon graduation. These are paid positions where students can earn two to three times the wage of a traditional college student job.

The University of South Alabama Engineering Cooperative Education Program provides an opportunity for students to alternate time in the classroom with periods of paid, full-time, career-related work experience. Work experience may take place in industry or government agencies.

Internships
Students may also look for internships while they are taking classes at USA. Summer internships are usually a full-time job for 10-12 weeks between semesters. Engineering internships are usually paid positions.

There are also opportunities available for part-time internships, both during the summer and during the academic year. Please remember that being an engineering student is a full time occupation, so if you plan an internship be sure to meet with your advisor to discuss your course load.

PSW Opportunity

3 Years 

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

  1. Non-citizen Application for Admission - The Non-citizen Application for Admission must be completed and signed by the applicant. A nonrefundable $35.00 application fee, payable through a U.S. bank, must accompany the application. Applications received without the $35.00 processing fee will not be processed.
  2. Academic Records - Complete and certified academic records of all secondary and postsecondary education attempted must be submitted. Whenever possible, the records must be forwarded directly from the issuing institution to the University of South Alabama. Copies must be certified by an official of the government or school (e.g., Registrar or Dean). Notarized copies are not accepted.
  3. English Proficiency
    1. TOEFL
      • Nonimmigrant applicants whose native language is not English, must submit a score of 61 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for admission. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited United States institution are exempt. Students transferring from postsecondary institutions within the United States are exempt, subject to the following conditions:
        1. transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
        2. completion of English Composition I with grade of "C" or above.
      • The exempted transfer students ARE NOT subject to the proficiency examination discussed below.  In addition the TOEFL may be substituted with the following:
        1. SAT Reading Test Score of 24
        2. ACT English score of 19
        3. Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of "A", "B" or "C/A-E"
        4. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5.
        5. International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) score of 3.6
        6. Pearson (PTE Academic) score of 44
      • English Proficiency - International students, admitted with the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score, will be required to take additional English as a Second Language courses if their IELTS Reading subscore is less than a 5.5 and if their IELTS Writing subscore is less than a 5.5 or if their TOEFL Reading subscore is less than 20 and if their Writing subscore is less than 20. Students holding J-1 visas and those holding baccalaureate or graduate degrees from regionally accredited United States postsecondary institutions are exempt.  
  4. Financial Statement - Non-immigrants must provide proof that sufficient finances are available to undertake their entire course of study.

Notification:  Students are notified of admissions decisions as soon as all required documents are received. The I-20 or DS-2019 is mailed to students with the letter of admission.

Transfer Credit from Foreign Institutions - Students transferring to the University from foreign postsecondary institutions must submit a detailed course syllabus from which to evaluate transfer credit. Advanced Placement credit is available from a number of worldwide sources: contact the Office of International Services for details. Students may secure a professional evaluation of academic credentials at their own expense. Course-by-course professional evaluation is required of transfer students accepted into the College of Education and Professional Studies and students applying to the professional component of any program in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions.