Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
DEPARTMENT OF WORLD LANGUAGES
Major milestones are activities World Languages Major, B.A. students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Both the World Languages Major, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Option I and Option II milestones are represented on this page.
Explore the World Languages Major, B.A.
The Department of World Languages offers programs in seven languages, as well as the option to study additional languages through the Directed Independent Language Studies (DILS) program. In a world that is increasingly interconnected and diverse, language study is more important than ever. By studying a language at MSU Denver, you can become the person who brings people together and fosters understanding among diverse groups. We not only help you improve your intellectual abilities, but we provide the communication, facilitation and teamwork skills that give you a competitive edge in any field.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills build through majoring in Languages include:
- Teamwork & Collaboration, Leadership, and Oral & Written Communication:
- Communicate successfully, with intercultural awareness
- Apply discipline, self-motivation, open-mindedness and analytical reasoning
- Collaborate and lead with empathy
Students graduating from Languages find themselves as:
- Language Services
- Education
- Tourism and Hospitality
- International Relations and Immigration Services
- Advertising, Marketing, Media and Creative Outlets
Languages get you hired! 90% of U.S. employers demand multilingual talent. 44 U.S. states report a shortage of language educators.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Many students also choose to pursue a graduate degree.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Scroll to your current year in school.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on-campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Attend Orientation and meet your academic advisor.
- Obtain language placement.
- Complete requirements by taking the 1010 and 1020 language classes.
- Join a language club or conversation group.
- Volunteer as a conversation partner.
- Connect with professors and peers at events hosted by the Department of World Languages.
- Become familiar with Career Link for on-campus jobs.
- Talk with your professors about career options.
- Visit the Classroom to Career (C2) Hub website.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or adding a certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Declare your major.
- Consider adding a certificate or a minor.
- Explore study abroad.
- Consult with an advisor to map out your graduation.
- Apply to be a language coach for the Directed Independent Language Studies program.
- Attend multicultural events.
- Join a national language honor society.
- Attend C2 employment and internship fairs.
- Get help at C2 with building your resume.
- Check with your department and college for internship opportunities.
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Get help on your industry-ready resume, then attend in-person career-focused events.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, explore graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Check in with your advisor to ensure you are completing all graduation requirements.
- Complete your Senior Experience requirement.
- Apply for graduation.
- Join volunteer projects requiring language skills.
- Integrate your applied learning assignments with real-life needs.
- Practice leadership skills by involving your club in World Languages.
- Connect with alumni working in careers of interest.
- Get help from C2 with job searches and/or graduate school applications.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) and utilize C2Hub resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and explore graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and checking out Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine if you need to fill out the Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Additional College Resources
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Steps for Success
Major Maps
Download the World Languages Major, B.A. (Option I & II) Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Academic Program Page
Visit the World Languages Major, B.A. (Option I) Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Academic Program Pages
Visit the World Languages Major, B.A. (Option II) Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Student Success Roadmap
Complete additional steps on the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to round out your MSU Denver experience.
Contact the Department of World Languages
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-1122
Click here to Explore the Department of World LanguagesCampus Location:
Plaza Building
Room 262
Plaza Building, Auraria Campus – Google Map