Any language degrees?

[cookderosa]

My 2 cents- pursue the foreign language degree through TESU. You can accumulate a lot more credit than you need, and it will still appear on your transcript. Using the exams available, take them ALL and get that credit on there (Edit to add- once you graduate, it is MUCH HARDER to get those exam scores on a transcript- do it inside your degree). You can accumulate over 18 in most of the languages using 1 exam each. It doesn't matter that this will leave holes in your degree (to be filled in other ways) but it GETS IT ON THE TRANSCRIPT. This is a valuable and inexpensive way to "validate" your proficiency. Though TESU doesn't have official minors, you can easily write a statement identifying your proficiency using the ACTFL scale on your resume and cover letter "I have a degree in foreign language with Superior (or Advanced depending on your score) ability to speak, read, and write in 4 languages: ____, _____, _____, and English"

The reason I like this for you instead of chasing down an interpreting degree is because interpreting is one job title, where having the skills you have doesn't have to be limiting. Beyond basic interpreting, you can use your degree for teaching / tutoring, international business, and other fields too- especially in government positions. There are master's degree programs that would allow you to hone your job title if you want to put yourself in a box, but my advice is to keep yourself open for as many options as possible at the undergraduate level.

[KayV]

The most difficult part about getting a degree in a foreign language at TESU is fulfilling the major requirements. For example, in French you could take the University of Arkansas's self-paced French Civilization, but finding 6 hours of Major Writers/ Masterpieces of Literature is much more difficult. I realize that the ACTFL/ NYU exams give a lot of upper level credit, but the OP would still need to find ways to fill those specific requirements.

I really like what Jennifer is saying about getting those hours on a transcript, though. Perhaps going for a Liberal Studies or Humanities degree?

[Kev]

Thank you for the advice.

I'll keep searching and reading up on here and on the Wiki site.

[dfrecore]

Here's a start to figuring this whole system out. After reading it, some of what you want won't apply (a lot of it is geared toward degrees you can completely test out of): http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...llege.html

But it's still worth reading so you can start to understand what's going on here.

[bjcheung77]

My 2 cents- pursue the foreign language degree through TESU. You can accumulate a lot more credit than you need, and it will still appear on your transcript. Using the exams available, take them ALL and get that credit on there (Edit to add- once you graduate, it is MUCH HARDER to get those exam scores on a transcript- do it inside your degree). You can accumulate over 18 in most of the languages using 1 exam each. It doesn't matter that this will leave holes in your degree (to be filled in other ways) but it GETS IT ON THE TRANSCRIPT. This is a valuable and inexpensive way to "validate" your proficiency. Though TESU doesn't have official minors, you can easily write a statement identifying your proficiency using the ACTFL scale on your resume and cover letter "I have a degree in foreign language with Superior (or Advanced depending on your score) ability to speak, read, and write in 4 languages: ____, _____, _____, and English"

The reason I like this for you instead of chasing down an interpreting degree is because interpreting is one job title, where having the skills you have doesn't have to be limiting. Beyond basic interpreting, you can use your degree for teaching / tutoring, international business, and other fields too- especially in government positions. There are master's degree programs that would allow you to hone your job title if you want to put yourself in a box, but my advice is to keep yourself open for as many options as possible at the undergraduate level.

I agree with this totally. I have one quick question. From looking at the requirements, it's only 9 credits after the "Advanced Language I/II".
Since you should be able to complete 21-30 credits using a combo of tests and the ACTFL/NYC, etc to get those credits....
Can one finish the degree off with just 9-12 credits of UL language courses? And can one do so with PLA using cheap MOOC courses?

Link: Thomas Edison State University: Foreign Language

II. Area of Study: Foreign Language 33
A. Required Courses 21
Language skills through the advanced level (12)
Intermediate Language I and II (6)
AND Advanced Language I and II (6)

Note: Elementary/beginning-level language CANNOT be applied toward the area of study requirement
History of Civilization (3)
Major Writers/Masterpieces of Literature (6)
B. Capstone 3 LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone (3)
C. Foreign Language Electives* 9

Courses transferred to Thomas Edison State University are equated to the following levels:
100, 200, 300 or 400. A minimum of 18 credits equating to 300 or 400 are required.

*This list is a guide. Other foreign language courses may be appropriate for this area of study.

Note 1: Other foreign language areas of study may be modeled after the above. The area of study must be planned with a BA degree program advisor.
Note 2: All courses applied toward the foreign language area of study are REQUIRED to be taught in that specific foreign language, not in English translation.

[KayV]

You will still have to find nine rare hours- history of civilization (3) and major writers/ masterpieces of literature (6) in the target language. It would be much easier to do if you could just count the ACTFL/ NYU exams as all of your credits for the degree.

[videogamesrock]

https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/curre...nguage.cfm

The ACTFL reading exam should satisfy the reading portion at COSC. Another option, you should be able to use possible history courses to satisfy the additional related electives or even maybe the remaining language credit overlap.

[Johann]

English programs are not designed like foreign language programs. While one cannot test out of all the requirements of a foreign language degree, one can get pretty close. This forum has found all kinds of hacks.

University English programs are designed much like foreign language programs - at least here in Canada - and I don't see how it can be much different in the U.S. To major in any language, including English, one has to learn its origin, history and literature. And one is expected to write it properly. That's beyond grammar and vocabulary etc. which one also has to work on, in order to learn about the aspects I mentioned.

I know this from first-hand experience: First year of University - any language including English, is usually a survey of literature (over the centuries) plus composition - essays, style, advanced grammar etc. Not talking about "introductory" courses here. "Regular" first-year courses only - first requirements for major. Beyond first year, it gets specialized. Morphology, in-depth literary study of various periods, etc. English or other - doesn't matter.

What you say about this forum and finding hacks is true. That's why it's here. But even seasoned participants admit that finding the necessary literary / historical / linguistic courses to satisfy language-major requirements is very difficult. And testing-out of these areas, well... even more difficult. There may be an app for everything -- but not necessarily a test.

J.

[sanantone]

University English programs are designed much like foreign language programs - at least here in Canada - and I don't see how it can be much different in the U.S. To major in any language, including English, one has to learn its origin, history and literature. And one is expected to write it properly. That's beyond grammar and vocabulary etc. which one also has to work on, in order to learn about the aspects I mentioned.

I know this from first-hand experience: First year of University - any language including English, is usually a survey of literature (over the centuries) plus composition - essays, style, advanced grammar etc. Not talking about "introductory" courses here. "Regular" first-year courses only - first requirements for major. Beyond first year, it gets specialized. Morphology, in-depth literary study of various periods, etc. English or other - doesn't matter.

What you say about this forum and finding hacks is true. That's why it's here. But even seasoned participants admit that finding the necessary literary / historical courses to satisfy language-major requirements is very difficult. And testing-out of these areas, well... even more difficult. There may be an app for everything -- but not necessarily a test.

J.

The AP exams cover culture. You just have to find a school that will let you take them. COSC gives literature credit for the Spanish Literature and Culture AP exam.

[Johann]

The AP exams cover culture. You just have to find a school that will let you take them. COSC gives literature credit for the Spanish Literature and Culture AP exam.

Two exams are great - but do the available tests add up to a major requirement? All the exams available might give the OP a teachable subject (18 credits) but a major? I dunno.

Another poster wrote: "TESU offers a foreign language degree but has very specific requirements that would have to be transferred in and some of the requirements might not have too many options, would most likely require semester based courses."

Yes, I believe there are a lot of possibilities for the OP to earn a degree, using his language proficiency to advantage. I just don't think a degree with a language major in a year is a realistic possibility. But I could be wrong. I've been wrong twice before - once in 1998 and again in 2005. So -- I'm braced and ready.

J.