Cal State Long Beach Among Top 3 Public Universities in the West. California State University, Long Beach as been ranked one of the top three public masters universities in the west by U.S. News and World Report in its 2005 American's Best Colleges Guide, which was released on Friday, Aug. 20. In addition, Cal State Long Beach was ranked among the top 32 colleges and universities in the western United States, placing it in the first tier of rankings (the top 25 percent) for the first time in the univeristy's history. For more details, you may refer to the U.S. News and World Report, August 2004 edition.

About the Department:
The department has 16 professors holding degrees from prestigious institutions. Every semester over 30 different courses are offered in translation, literature, linguistics, film and cultural studies in addition to language courses.

Career Opportunities:
The Department of Romance, German, Russian Languages and Literatures aims at developing language and cultural literacy skills, which are indispensable for international study and careers in business, government service, teaching, research, and technology.

Admission to the Program:
High school students interested in majoring in a foreign language are encouraged to take college preparation courses. In addition, all students are urged to take:
4 years of high school in one foreign language
2 years of college level in one foreign language
1 year of a second foreign language
In addition to these guidelines, general admission requirements for CSULB must be met.

Degrees Offered:
The Department of Romance, German, Russian Languages and Literatures Program offers the following degrees and certificates in 5 languages:
French - M.A., B.A., Minor
French Studies - B.A.
German - M.A., B.A., Minor
Italian Studies - B.A.
Italian - Minor
Russian - Minor, Certificate
Spanish - M.A., B.A., Minor
Translation/Interpretation Studies - B.A. (Spanish/English)
Latin American Studies Certificate
Single Subject Credential Program

The following degrees/courses are in progress:
First Year Arabic Courses
First Year Hebrew Courses

The Masters of Arts Degree:
While the degrees are separate, they share a core of courses: second language acquisition, heritage language teaching, literary theory, history of the language, and technology-assisted instruction. The core courses provide essential tools for the graduate student seeking jobs at the secondary and college levels. These courses also prepare the student for future studies in a Ph.D. program or in a variety of career options requiring higher degrees in foreign language, literature, and area studies. Teaching Associate positions are available to all graduate students.

Freshman Information:
All freshmen students should begin preparing for their first semester of study at CSULB by taking the Mathematics and English Placement Tests offered by the University. Registration for fall classes begins with the SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising & Registration) program. Admitted students will be mailed a SOAR brochure containing all of the necessary information to get them started. Students wishing to receive academic advising prior to SOAR should contact the Academic Advising Center at (562) 985-4837 and the undergraduate advisors at RGRLL (562) 985-4317.

Transfer Information:
Transfer students must complete their lower-division English and Mathematics requirements at their community college or university prior to entering CSULB. In addition to completing your GE requirements, these suggested CSULB lower-division courses may be completed at a community college.