Fostering Knowledge of the Human Experience

We study French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, as well as the cultures throughout the world where they are spoken and written, and the classical languages and cultural heritage of Greece and Rome, enabling us to become proficient in these languages, literatures, and cultures, and to think critically about the world.

We offer

Individualized Attention

Small class sizes from award-winning faculty, staff and advisors

Service Learning & Research

Programs and classes dedicated to service learning and research opportunities

Career Connections

Establishing connections for mentors, guest speakers, and networking events

Program opportunities

Roman coliseum with streaks of car lights driving below

Classics & Mediterranean Studies

A minor in Classical and Mediterranean Studies encourages a greater appreciation of our classical past, and a deeper contemplation of the traditions and ideas that have shaped the world.

paris seine river, with bridge across it

French

French programs include B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees as well as several minors. Programs are designed for students to develop excellent reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in the French language and build an understanding of the history and cultures of the French-speaking world.

Canal in Italy with buildings lining the side

Italian

A minor in Italian provides students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of Italian language and cultures with additional education abroad opportunities.

Boat on a river in the city Porto

PORTUGUESE

The Portuguese minor creates a more globally aware, internationally focused student with knowledge of the language as well as the cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Street lights and streaking car lights in centre Madrid

SPANISH

Spanish programs include B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees as well as several minors. Programs encompass the richness and diversity of language, literature, and culture in the Spanish-speaking world. There are also opportunities for language and cultural immersion through education abroad and other experiences.

Program opportunities

Roman coliseum with streaks of car lights driving below

Classics & Mediterranean Studies

A minor in Classical and Mediterranean Studies encourages a greater appreciation of our classical past, and a deeper contemplation of the traditions and ideas that have shaped world.

paris seine river, with bridge across it

French

Designed for students who want to develop excellent reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the French language and build a strong understanding of the history and culture. French offers a minor, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.

Canal in Italy with buildings lining the side

Italian

A minor in Italian provides students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of Italian language and cultures with study abroad opportunities. 

Street lights and streaking car lights in centre Madrid

Spanish

This program encompasses the richness and diversity within the language, literature and culture. It provides opportunities for immersion in Spanish-speaking cultures through a study abroad. Spanish offers a minor, B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.

Boat on a river in the city Porto

Portuguese

The Portuguese minor creates a more globally-aware, internationally-focused for students with knowledge of the language as well as the Portuguese culture.

Mierda Mexico, street with colorful building on either side

Hispanic studies

The program prepares students in the language, literatures, and cultures of the Hispanic world, with an emphasis on literary, linguistic and cultural studies and scholarly investigation. Hispanic Studies offers a M.A. and Ph.D.

student clubs

The language clubs in RCS offer the opportunity to learn about and share experiences related to diverse cultures, languages, and people.

Classics Society

French Club

Italian Club

Spanish Club

PORTUGUESE Club

featured News

Photo composite featuring headshots of seven Michigan State University students: Anastasia Breen, Kaylin Casper, Lily Dixon, Eleanor Pugh, Isabel Buckles, Kevin Koch, and Carolina Mercado. The portraits are arranged in two rows of four, with the Spartan helmet logo in the bottom-left corner.
Student

Record Number of Nominations from College of Arts and Letters for Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships

A record number of Michigan State University College of Arts and Letters students and alumni have been nominated for two of the world’s most prestigious international scholarship programs, the Rhodes Scholarship and the Marshall Scholarship, both of which provide opportunities for graduate study in the United Kingdom. Three College of Arts and Letters students and one alum are nominated for both the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships, while three additional College of Arts and Letters students are nominated for the Marshall Scholarship. The nominees represent a range of academic disciplines within the college, including Arts and Humanities, German, Humanities-Prelaw, Professional

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October 13, 2026
A man speaks into a microphone before a seated audience during the College of Arts & Letters Colloquium 2026, with welcome slides projected behind him.
Arts MSU

College Begins 2026-27 Academic Year with New Programs, People, and Possibilities

A new academic year brings new beginnings and Fall 2026 marks an especially significant moment for Michigan State University’s College of Arts and Letters. Students are returning to a college that has grown in scope, with new academic programs, newly housed majors, and expanded opportunities. The year also brings a new slate of performances, exhibitions, and other creative and academic experiences.

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September 3, 2026
A group of 12 new faculty and staff members pose together for a photo in a meeting room at Michigan State University.
Faculty and Staff

College Welcomes 20 New Faculty and Staff Members

With the start of the Fall 2026 Semester, the College of Arts and Letters is welcoming 20 new faculty and staff members whose talents, experiences, and perspectives will contribute to the college’s teaching, research, creative activity, and student support. New faculty and staff members will be recognized during the College of Arts and Letters’ 2026 Faculty and Staff Welcome Reception on Monday, Sept. 28.

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August 31, 2026
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featured News

Image of paper people of all colors and sizes holding hands

RCS DEI Committee Series Workshop: Inclusive Language in the Classroom

Come join us on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 3-4:30 pm in Wells Hall A334! 

How do we use inclusive language when teaching Romance Languages?

LEARN MORE >

Citizen Scholar Interns in Argentina

Spanish major Carla Simone experienced a different culture while teaching English to students in first through seventh grade at Colegio Norbridge in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of a two-month summer internship.

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me-award-ceremony

“Working closely with faculty gives me a different perspective than just a student viewpoint. I get to see how the department and administration works and I know it will help me in the future when I become a Professor.”

Jonathan Montalvo

PhD graduate, Hispanic Cultural Studies Program

Learn More >

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