About the Department
The study of languages is considered the foundation of a well-rounded education. The language programs at the University of Nebraska at Kearney open the door to advanced study in the arts and sciences and prepares you for a rich personal and professional life in a diverse, interconnected world. Research shows many academic, cognitive, and cultural benefits to learning a second language. Advanced bilingual language skills are highly valued in today’s competitive job market, and are often a requirement for top-level employment.
We offer a variety of majors, minors, and teaching endorsements, as well as an online Master’s degree in Spanish Education. We also facilitate Experiential Learning opportunities like language tables, study abroad, and professional internships.
As language educators, we want you to experience the transformative power of language study. You will visit new places, discover new cultures, new modes of thinking, new ways of being yourself, and have a lot of fun along the way. Join us!
You are welcome to contact any of the faculty. For general inquiries please contact Timothy Johnson or Saralisa Helleberg.
Undergraduate Degrees
Graduate Degrees
“The education program has opened a lot of doors for me. The biggest door it's opened for me would be the GA position in the modern language department, which is really great. I've been able to not only teach a course at UNK, which has been very interesting and very challenging, but also be able to take graduate classes through the online program.” Perales was a first generation college student with a very close relationship to her parents. “There are two factors that made me decide on UNK. The first factor is that it was close to home. I was the first daughter who attended a university, so I didn't know all the ins and outs of being a college student. I needed to make sure that if anything, I had them close enough that I could just run home and have them close to me. The second factor is that I applied for a scholarship through the office of multicultural affairs. I was granted that scholarship. It was just very nice that they were going to help me financially.”
Beyond the Classroom
Student Organizations
- Alpha Mu Gamma (Foreign Language Honor Society) Alpha Mu Gamma is the oldest and largest national collegiate foreign language honor society in the United States. If you have received an "A" in two or more college language classes, you may be eligible for membership.
Experiential Learning
Take your language learning beyond the classroom! We offer numerous opportunities, including:
- Study Abroad in Europe or Latin America, where total linguistic and cultural immersion will take your skills to the next level.
- Language Tables Join other students for informal conversation at our language tables.
- Internships Develop your interpretation skills by working as an intern in a bilingual workplace.
- Translation Team up with professors and classmates to translate documents for organizations like the YMCA, the Nebraska Safety Center, YRTC, and local businesses.
- Tutor Work as a tutor or with a teacher in a K-12 classroom to transform yourself into a language teacher.
