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Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics logo University of Alabama at Birmingham logo

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

University of Alabama at Birmingham Rank #706
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Degree Type Bachelor
Delivery Method Hybrid
Duration 4 years
Application Deadline Fall Semester: June 1, 2026. Spring Semester: November 1, Summer Semester: May 15
Country United States
Language French, Spanish, and Applied Professional Spanish

Program Overview

The program is designed to go beyond traditional grammar and vocabulary, immersing students in the culture, art, history, and philosophy of their chosen language area. The curriculum is rooted in diversity and cross-cultural competence, preparing students to communicate effectively in local and global communities.

  1. Linguistic & Literary Focus: Students explore traditional subjects such as linguistics, civilization, and literature, alongside modern topics like film and cultural studies, foreign media, and sociolinguistics.
  2. Concentration Paths:
  3. French: Focuses on the French-speaking world's civilization and literature, including specialized seminars on contemporary France and the environment in the Francophone world.
  4. Spanish: Emphasizes three modes of communication—interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational—with topics ranging from Afro-Hispanic writers to peninsular film.
  5. Applied Professional Spanish (APSP): A progressive track specifically designed for students entering fields like healthcare, business, or law, focusing on workplace proficiency and U.S. Hispanic cultures.
  6. Instructional Style: The program utilizes a variety of formats, including seated, online, and hybrid courses, and encourages double majoring to apply language skills to other professional fields like nursing, criminal justice, or engineering.
  7. Unique Resources: Students have access to the World Languages Media Services for digital research and the Marcel Proust Collection, which is one of the world's largest repositories of original documents by the French author.


Key Program Features

  1. Education Abroad: The department strongly sponsors and promotes study abroad opportunities.
  2. Honors Track: High-achieving students (3.25+ GPA in major) can participate in the World Languages Honors Program, involving original undergraduate research and a public defense.
  3. Special Collections: Students have access to the Marcel Proust Collection, one of the world's largest collections of documents related to the French author.

Career Opportunities

  1. Career Paths: Graduates pursue roles in journalism, medicine, tourism, government, social work, and international relations.
  2. Internships: Students can participate in world language internships, specifically in concentrations like Applied Professional Spanish and Spanish for Specific Purposes.
  3. Global Seal: UAB offers the Global Seal of Biliteracy, a credential that enhances marketability for multinational companies.

Program Curriculum

Students must complete at least 120 semester hours to graduate.

  1. Core Requirements: All students complete the "Blazer Core Curriculum".
  2. Major Coursework: Typically requires 39 credit hours in the concentration, including:
  3. WLL 120: World Cultures.
  4. WLL 121: Songs of Social Change.
  5. Intermediate Language Sequence: (e.g., FR 201 or SPA 201).
  6. WLL 485: Senior Capstone Project.
  7. Specialized Topics: Courses cover literature in translation, film studies, foreign media, and U.S. Latino topics.


Admission Requirements

  1. Freshman Admission (Fall 2026): UAB will not require ACT or SAT scores for admission through the Fall 2026 semester. Admission is based on a holistic review of high school GPA and rigor of coursework.
  2. Prerequisites: Mastery of the introductory language sequence (e.g., French I and II) is required to begin major-level coursework.
  3. GPA: A minimum 2.0 GPA in all UAB coursework is required for graduation.

Tuition & Financial Information

Tuition Fee

Estimated at $388 per hour for residents and $966 per hour for non-residents

UAB's estimated direct costs for undergraduate students for the 2025/2026 academic year vary by residency:

  1. In-State Tuition & Fees: Approximately $9,372 per year.
  2. Out-of-State Tuition & Fees: Approximately $23,282 per year.
  3. International Student Tuition: Approximately $31,560 per year.
  4. Total Cost of Attendance (COA): Including housing, meal plans, and insurance, the estimated COA is $35,457 for residents and $53,155 for non-residents.


Financial Aid & Scholarships

Approximately 73% of UAB undergraduates receive some form of financial aid.

  1. General Aid: Students must complete the FAFSA (School Code: 001052) for federal grants, loans, and work-study.
  2. Departmental Scholarships: The Department of World Languages and Literatures offers specific awards, such as the Excellence in World Languages & Literatures and the Dr. William E. Doggett III Endowed Study Abroad Scholarship.
  3. BSMART Tool: Students use the Blazer Scholarship Management and Resource Tool (BSMART) to apply for university-wide and departmental scholarships between October 1 and March 1.
  4. International Awards: Incoming international freshmen are automatically considered for the UAB International Scholarship, valued at $7,500 per year.


About University of Alabama at Birmingham

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University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, United States

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Application Information

  • Application Deadline Fall Semester: June 1, 2026. Spring Semester: November 1, Summer Semester: May 15
  • Language French, Spanish, and Applied Professional Spanish
  • Duration 4 years
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