Modern Languages Major Opportunities

As a major in Modern Languages, you can specialize in any of our programs, including French, Italian, Spanish, or Spanish Translation and Interpretation for the Professions. In addition to developing your fluency in any of these languages, our program provides a robust liberal arts education that allows you to easily transfer to a four-year college, where you can complete a B.A. in any field. You can then turn your language credits into a minor or double major in that language and a field of your choice.

When your resumé indicates your fluency in two or more languages, you gain a competitive edge in the labor market, as most employers prefer multilingual candidates who can contribute to expanding their businesses. You also widen your professional choices, expanding them from local opportunities to global possibilities, from a regular job to a career path with potential for professional and economic advancement.

Transferrable skills you will develop while you learn a new language include:

• Strong and clear writing
• Interpersonal communication
• Interpretation of information
• Cultural sensitivity
• Awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues
• Global literacy

As detailed below, you can boost these skills through our uniquely subsidized study abroad programs in Spain, France, and Italy.

Earn Two Credentials at the Same Time

If you are already committed to another program, consider obtaining a certificate in Spanish/English Translation & Interpretation in the Professions while pursuing your current associate degree. Like our A.A. degree, this 15-credit certificate prepares you to work as a translator or interpreter in the legal, medical, business, and/or finance industries and for many other careers. When you graduate, you will have two credentials: one in your major and the other as a translator/interpreter.

A Dedicated Program Advisor

Students majoring in Modern Languages benefit from the unique, personalized attention of a dedicated Program Advisor. This advisor closely follows students’ academic journeys, ensuring successful graduation and transfer to four-year colleges. The Program Advisor also encourages and supports students’ access to highly enriching opportunities, including internships, scholarships, prizes, awards, admission to selective institutions, and career planning strategies. For more information on the benefits of our program, contact Professor Sophie Maríñez, who will serve as the Program Advisor in 2024-2025, at smarinez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Honors and Awards

The Modern Language Department (MLD) offers Academic Excellence awards to students with the highest GPA. An award for each specialization—French, Italian, and Spanish—is presented during the Honors convocation.

Each year, the Modern Language Department grants the Pullés Award to the student with the highest GPA among graduating majors specializing in Spanish. The award, which offers $500, is presented during the Honors convocation.

Study Abroad Programs

Each summer, BMCC offers study abroad programs ranging from  two weeks to an entire month in China, France, Italy, and/or Spain, among other countries. These programs are subsidized by BMCC scholarships, which cover 60% of the cost. Students may also apply for additional scholarships to cover the remaining costs. Study abroad programs count as one course toward the major in Modern Languages. Learn more about study abroad programs within CUNY.

Middlebury Language Immersion Summer Program

Students who need to take their Spanish, French, or Italian to the next level of fluency are encouraged to apply for the Middlebury Language Immersion Summer Program. In this seven-week program, students pledge only to speak the language of choice. The program offers scholarships for community college students, covering up to 80% of the tuition. Students completing this program get up to 9 credits at BMCC. To apply, they need at least one recommendation letter from a professor at BMCC. Visit the Middlebury Language Immersion Summer Program site for more information.

The CUNY/Paris Exchange Program

Students specializing in French can participate in the CUNY/Paris program sponsored by Queens College. This program allows students to spend an entire semester in Paris and take classes at the Sorbonne, for which they get credit at BMCC. Eligible students may have the cost of the program covered by financial aid. For more information, contact Sharon Reid, Director of Internships and Experiential Learning, at sreid@bmcc.cuny.edu, or visit the CUNY/Paris Exchange Program site.

The NYS Court Interpreter Internship Program

Students enrolled in the major qualify to complete either the 20-hour or the 100-hour internships. Once they complete the internship, they can take the court system test to become a NYS registered Per Diem Court Interpreter in any language in which they may be fluent. A Per Diem Court Interpreter is called each time there is a need in their particular language and is paid by the day of work. This is a great opportunity for those interested in building a career as a legal interpreter.

Potential Careers with a Degree in Modern Languages 

• Careers in the translation industry: translator/interpreter, editor, copy editor, proofreader, quality control, video-subtitling specialist, and project manager working at translation agencies, clinics and hospitals, NYS Court System, and global corporations.
• Careers in international relations: foreign service officer (U.S. State Department), international organizations, humanitarian and environmental organizations.
• Other exciting careers: law, banking, and finance; travel and hospitality; bilingual media, marketing, and communications; higher education; K-12 bilingual education; international business.

The inidividual Modern Language Program pages (French, Spanish, Italian) have more specific information about career options with those majors.