Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Welcome to your Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures!

The job market in Tennessee and beyond is increasingly interconnected across languages and cultures. Our department offers dynamic, career-enhancing degree programs designed to help you stand out in a wide range of professions.

Take advantage of our free online language placement test, which can instantly award you up to 12 credits at no cost—saving you valuable time and money. Our courses are designed to empower students, not only by building strong language skills but also by fostering leadership, teamwork, and intercultural understanding in a welcoming learning environment.

We invite you to explore all the information on this site, and we look forward to welcoming you into our classes!

For any questions, please contact us at: olaf.berwald@mtsu.edu

Olaf Berwald, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

French

German

Japanese

Spanish

Arabic

Chinese

Italian

Portuguese

Latin

Russian

Humanities

Linguistic Studies

M.A.T
Graduate Programs

Teaching Licensure

Faculty & Staff

Study Abroad

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Middle Tennessee State University, Box 79
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132 

Main Office: 
BDA 301
Telephone:  (615) 898-2981
Fax:            (615) 898-5735

Department Chair: 
Dr. Olaf Berwald   
Olaf.Berwald@mtsu.edu 
(615) 898-2982 

Executive Assistant:
Charlie Vick  
Charlie.Vick@mtsu.edu
(615) 898-5728

Language Placement Test

MTSU News

At Habitat for Humanity’s panel build job site on the Student Union Commons at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., a table of hammers, work aprons and other construction equipment greets student volunteers. The annual panel build on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, offered students the opportunity to help build a house alongside seasoned volunteers without ever leaving campus. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU hosts annual Habitat for Humanity panel build on campus

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The sound of dozens of hammers striking nails echoed across campus Thursday, Oct. 1, as Middle Tennessee State University students traded textbooks for tools, safety goggles and gloves during the university’s annual Habitat for Humanity panel build. “I just built this wall, right there” said world languages and cultures student Elizabeth Garrett, [ Read More ]

From pipelayer to Buchanan Fellow, MTSU student builds future in construction management

When Lucas Daggs began classes at Nashville State Community College, he wasn’t sure how far his education would take him.[ Read More ]