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:

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.