Minors

A minor in a foreign language provides enrichment to majors in other disciplines and enhances the chances of success in their chosen career. By minoring in a foreign language you become eligible to receive a generous Meta Marion Goldsmith Scholarship.

Requirements and Placement

Students who have studied foreign languages in high school should consult with an advisor before enrolling. Students who have had previous college level language study will enroll in the course for which they qualify on the basis of units accumulated. Students starting at 101A must complete 101A, 101B, 102, and another upper division course to satisfy the minimum number of units required by the University for a minor.

General Minor Waiver

18 units of Foreign Language courses constitute the General Minor Waiver. Economics, journalism and administration of justice majors may satisfy the requirement for a minor by taking 18 units of foreign language.

Goals and Objectives

The Department of Foreign Languages has adopted the following competency goals for all its minors:

Functional ability in the target language in the areas of speaking. listening, reading, and writing.
Familiarity with customs of the target culture and ability to use the language in culturally appropriate ways.
Basic knowledge of the geography, history and culture of the countries where the language is spoken.

Advising Procedures

Students are required to see an advisor prior to completing the minor form. However, we encourage students to declare a minor and see an advisor as soon as they develop an interest in the minor. Also, because many of our scholarships are available to minors, we urge students to file official documentation to qualify for scholarships and allow us to monitor the programs of those minoring in our programs.

Minor Requirement and Supplementary Teaching Credentials

The minors provide for partial fulfillment of the requirement by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for supplementary teaching credentials in foreign languages. The CCTC requires 20 semester units or 10 upper division units, and all our minors require at least 11 upper division units. Supplementary credentials, however, require verification of oral proficiency comparable to that of a person with a major in the language. Students who have completed only a minor do not always achieve this level of proficiency.

Minor Classes

Chinese Total 29 units
1A, 1B (5 units each)
25A, 25B (5 units each)
101A, 101B (3 units each)
102 (3 units each)

French Total 31 units
1A, 1B (5 units each)
25A, 25B, 25C (3 units each)
101A, 101B, 101C (3 units each)
102A, 102B or 102C (3 units)

German Total 31 units
1A, 1B (5 units each)
25A, 25B (5 units each)
101A, 101B (4 units each)
102A or 102B (3 units)

Italian Total 30 units
1A, 1B (5 units each)
2 (3 units)
101A, 101B (4 units each)
102 (3 units)
+ 6 units

Japanese Total 31 units
1A, 1B (5 units each)
25A, 25B (5 units each)
101A, 101B (4 units each)
102 (3 units)

Spanish Total 27-31 units
1A, 1B (5 units each)
25A, 25B (5 units each) or
20A, 20B (Native speakers) (3 units each)
101A, 101B (4 units each)
102A or 102B (in Spanish) (3 unts)

For more information and advising, please contact a program advisor.

Did you know

San José State University
Department of Foreign Languages
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0091

Phone: 408-924-4602
Fax: 408-924-4607
Email: dfl@sjsu.edu

Clark Hall 421 map (pdf)
(near San Fernando and 7th)

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm