Degrees and Programs
Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages
At Drexel University, the Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies degree prepares students to see the world differently as they learn essential skills needed to assess and to understand the impact of global political, social, economic and environmental dynamics. Global Studies majors can choose from four accelerated degree options that allow academically qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree concurrently. The Modern Languages Program is for any Drexel student who wants to acquire cultural competencies and language certification.
Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies Degree
Majors enrolled in Drexel’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Global Studies degree tailor their education to fit their interests by choosing from one of four degree concentrations built around interdisciplinary plans of study. Our scholars grow and succeed by participating in community-based learning, intensive study abroad and international co-op programs that better equip them to address world issues and understand their impact locally and nationally.
Global Studies majors must select a language or regional studies minor and can deepen their knowledge with optional courses and certificates specially designed to prepare them to pursue advanced degrees and careers across sectors: business, economics, law, policy, public health, and media —to name a few— as well as in non-profit, government, and international organizations. Academically qualified majors may apply for one of four accelerated degree programs in business administration, communications, education or public health.
BA in Global Studies
Degree Concentrations
Tailor your Global Studies degree to fit your interests by choosing one of four concentrations:
Accelerated Degrees
Earn your advanced degree sooner — Global Studies majors can choose from four accelerated degree programs that allow academically qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree concurrently.
Programs
The Modern Languages Program
Drexel students from any and all disciplines can leverage the Modern Languages Program to build their global competency and to gain valuable language qualifications through language minors and Intermediate Language Proficiency Certificates.
Many professional sectors, such as international business, law, education, politics and medicine, are eager to hire employees who have proven language fluency and cultural competence. Modern language study opens a world of opportunities to Drexel students, including study abroad and international co-ops.
Language Minors
The language minor includes advanced courses on topics such as professional training in business or health, media, international politics and issues of identity. Through study abroad or community engagement, the minor gives students the opportunity to practice their advanced language skills with native speakers in professional, academic and real-life contexts. The minor requires 24 credits above elementary courses.
Intermediate Language Proficiency Certificates
The Intermediate Language Proficiency Certificate qualifies for employers and graduate schools that the student possesses the basic skills needed to interact in everyday contexts with native speakers of the language. The certificate requires completion of the 202 level, our intermediate sequence, of the language program.
Students must review the language requirements of their major in the Drexel Course Catalog. Each major has individual requirements for their respective language study. Please check with your academic advisor to ensure that your language requirements are included in your Major Plan of Study.
Students who want to enroll in a Modern Language Program course for the first time at Drexel are required to take a placement exam. For students to get the most out of their language courses, they must be placed appropriately, especially if they have prior academic or personal experience with their chosen language. Placement exams require no preparation and are assigned by a student's academic adviser. It is an ethical violation of Drexel’s academic honor code to refuse the exam or to register below the student's placement level.
The Modern Languages Program does not accept CLEP exams as substitution for language instruction. Students must take the placement test if they have previous experience –coursework or family communication– with the language they want to study.
During the first class, instructors will assign an ungraded writing and/or oral exercise to further evaluate the students’ ability with the language, as no placement test is infallible. Students’ final placement will be determined by their instructor.
Language and Regional Studies Minors
All Drexel students gain intercultural competence and skills when they complete a language minor or a regional studies minor offered through the Modern Languages Program. The Global Studies major language requirement may be satisfied by taking any one of the three language minors listed below, or, one of the three regional studies minors which combine languages and content courses. Global Studies minors must complete at least one 200-level course.
Minors in Languages
Minors in Regional Studies
Religious Studies Minor
Drexel University’s minor in Religious Studies is designed to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of religions across time and place. Students learn about religions from a global perspective — examining world religions, folk religions and alternative religions — and reflect on the search for meaning in the varied perspectives present in belief systems. The Religious Studies minor reflects the scholarship of faculty across the humanities and social science departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, equipping students with discrete yet overlapping disciplinary models.
Coursework and Certificates
All Drexel students have the opportunity to greatly enhance and extend their knowledge with optional coursework and certificates offered by the Drexel Modern Languages Program:
Coursework
Language Proficiency Certificates
Spanish for Health Professionals Certificate
The Spanish for Health Professionals certificate prepares students who are already enrolled at Drexel to engage Spanish-speaking populations in the field of healthcare. This in-demand advantage is designed to teach health professions students —College of Nursing and Health Professions, Public Health and Pre-Med— to communicate confidently in Spanish with their patients and to deliver culturally competent care.