Carnegie Mellon University

Come experience the intellectual and personal enrichment that comes with learning new languages—Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish—and encountering the diverse cultures they represent!

The Department of Modern Languages features award-winning faculty who are devoted, engaging teachers and internationally recognized scholars. Our research and teaching foster language learning, deepen cultural understanding through literary and cultural studies and highlight cutting-edge technology-enhanced learning. With internships and study abroad, transformative engagement with local communities, and inspiring co-curricular activities, Modern Languages inspires and educates the next generation of global thinkers and innovators.

Why Study Modern Languages?

Modern Language Students

Unique Courses


49% of CMU students take a course in Modern Languages even though there is no university-wide language requirement (data from CMU, 2019)

Our Programs

8 Diverse Language Programs


We offer Arabic, Chinese, French & Francophone, German, Hispanic, Italian, Japanese, and Russian Studies.

Opportunities Abroad

Opportunities Abroad


Explore and engage through researching, studying, or teaching abroad.

mlrc-studentsNo prerequisites required.
No foreign language skills required.

Check out these unique Modern Languages courses