Mar 29, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2022-2023 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2022-2023 Previous Edition

Languages and Culture Studies: Business Languages, Graduate Certificate


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The Department of Languages and Culture Studies offers a Graduate Certificate in Languages and Culture Studies: Business Language with concentrations in the following languages: German and Spanish.  It is designed for Early Entry, post-baccalaureate, graduate, and post-graduate students.  Students typically complete the required 12 graduate credit hours in 2-3 semesters, and may begin the program in either the Fall or Spring semester.

Students in the certificate program pursue advanced study of language, culture, and intercultural communication in business German or Spanish, which involves intensive development of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing, translation, and interpreting skills focused on topics such as business communications, economics, management, banking, real estate, office systems, marketing (logistics and advertising), finance, import-export, and e-commerce.  Graduate level coursework may also include 6 credit hours of special topics courses in business language studies, graduate courses in German or Spanish, related coursework from another graduate program such as Latin American Studies or International Business, and up to 3 credit hours of professional internship credit in an appropriate intercultural communication or target-language business setting.

Admission Requirements


Students must apply for admission to the Graduate School and must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.  Applicants will generally have a baccalaureate degree in one of the certificate languages: German or Spanish, or in a closely related area that requires sufficient upper-division coursework in that language (e.g., for Spanish: Latin American Studies, International Studies, International Business), or an Undergraduate Certificate or Minor in German or Spanish.

Applicants are required to submit:

  • A well-developed essay in English that addresses the applicant’s motivation for enrolling in the Graduate Certificate
  • Two letters of reference (typically from professors, intercultural communications specialists in language or business, and/or employers, preferably in a business field)
  • Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (International Students only)

Notes: Applicants may be required to have an interview with the Graduate Director.  Students interested in adding this Graduate Certificate to the M.A. in Spanish  must apply separately for the certificate program; one application does not cover both programs.  GRE scores are not required.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Certificate Requirements


Select one of the following concentrations:

Concentration in German


Concentration in Spanish


Elective Courses (6 credit hours)


Select two of the following:

Certificate Total = 12 Credit Hours


Grade Requirements


The Graduate Certificate in Languages and Culture Studies: Business Language is earned by completion of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework (4 courses) with a grade of B or above in each course. 

Transfer Credit


Generally, only graduate courses taken at UNC Charlotte count toward the Graduate Certificate. However, 3 credit hours of coursework may be considered for possible transfer into the certificate program if approved by the Department of Languages and Culture Studies. 9 of the 12 credit hours for the Graduate Certificate must be taken in residency.

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