The Department of Language Studies offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with major in Spanish, and minors are available in French, Spanish, and Linguistics. Courses in other languages—Chinese, German, Japanese, Latin, are offered upon sufficient student interest. Language courses meet the needs of students in Bachelor of Arts programs throughout the University. The Language Studies Department designs and schedules its courses in cooperation with the English, History, Intercultural Studies, International Business, Music, Political Science, and Theology programs.

A hallmark of the program is the use of instructional technology for out-of-class practice and exposure to samples of actual language use. The department has a facility which houses software, videos, and feature films for language learning. Students go there to record pronunciation assignments or to watch the several foreign language television channels which are available on campus. The department has worked with Instructional Technology to make other resources, such as foreign language dictionaries, available on the campus computer network. The Spanish major entails a semester of study in Sevilla, Spain. The relatively low number of hours required for the major, 37, facilitates double-majoring. Most students do so; those who do not typically complete two minors. Students who are interested in a teaching career should consider a minor in education.

Students in other majors may earn credit in Spanish and specialized areas such as business and environmental studies by spending a semester in Costa Rica in the Latin American Studies Program sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

College credit in language may be established by CLEP or other examinations approved by the Department.

Based upon recommendation of the Department of Language Studies, a student may enter language study above the elementary level without having established college credit for the first course(s). In such cases, the early courses are waived upon completion of subsequent work. The waiver does not establish credit; hours are posted only for the specific courses completed. However, a language requirement is considered met upon completion of the highest course required.

Spanish majors, especially those considering graduate school, are urged to take at least six hours of another language.