Department Overview
Welcome to the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (DFLL) at The University of Southern Mississippi. Because our faculty is extensively trained in and dedicated to language teaching, the DFLL prides itself on offering an effective and supportive foreign language learning program. In-class lessons are supported by a state-of-the-art multimedia center where students at all levels may stop in throughout the day for free language tutoring, computer access for online practice, or simply to watch foreign language satellite TV and pick up a popular magazine while relaxing in the colorful, comfortable lounge area. This student-friendly center is also the gathering place for many extracurricular activities sponsored by the Spanish or French club: foreign language movie nights, study group meetings, and Spanish/French conversation roundtables. Other exciting opportunities to get real world language practice include Spanish language radio broadcasts, a Spanish language dining club, "Language exchange" partners from the English Language Institute, and foreign language community service-learning placements. In conjunction with International Programs, the DFLL also offers a wide variety of study abroad options ranging from three weeks to an entire academic year in locations such as France, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica.
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is pleased to offer undergraduate degree programs leading to a B.A. in Foreign Languages with concentrations in French, Spanish or two languages. Students may complete a foreign language major with only 30 hours of intermediate and advanced coursework. For students considering a career in secondary education, The DFLL offers the only NCATE/ACTFL accredited program in the state for licensure majors in Spanish or French. A foreign language minor requires only 18 hours of study in a language, including 100-level courses. Minors are available in Classics, French, German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Basic language courses are also offered in Arabic. On the Gulf Coast campus, Spanish language instruction is available through the 300-level. Students with previous language experience (high school study, heritage speakers, experience abroad) are encouraged to begin at higher levels, as they may receive academic credit for lower level language courses through examination. Students seeking to fulfill the language requirement for a B.A. degree are likewise encouraged to begin at higher levels if they have studied a language in high school; this will significantly reduce the hours needed to satisfy the requirement, which is not twelve hours of language study but rather "completion of 202 or the equivalent."
At the graduate level, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers the Master of Arts in the Teaching of Languages (MATL) degree with emphases in French, Spanish and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This practical, innovative program is offered both online and in-class and is designed to meet the needs of elementary, middle, high school, and community college teachers. The MATL builds knowledge and skills in language, language acquisition, and language instruction that are essential for both effective teaching and successful learning. MATL courses offer the flexibility and accessibility to accommodate practicing teachers and teachers-in-training as well as traditional full-time learners.
On campus in Hattiesburg, our offices are located on the third floor of the Liberal Arts Building. We invite you to visit us to discuss your future in foreign languages.