Modern Languages and Intercultural Communications, Minor (Madrid)

Saint Louis University’s modern languages and intercultural communication minor at the Madrid, Spain, campus focuses on foreign languages in the context of communication among people from distinct cultures. SLU-Madrid’s location and its international student body make intercultural communication an everyday reality.

Graduates with this minor can communicate at an advanced or upper-intermediate level in one language and at an elementary level in a second foreign language. You’ll gain knowledge of the different aspects of human communication, including the relationship between language, behavior, culture and mind.

CMM 3300Intercultural Communication3
Foreign language credits at a 1000-level or above6
Foreign language credits at a 2000-level or above6
PSY 4270Cross-Cultural Psychology3
or ENGL 4110 Introduction to Linguistics
Total Credits18

Non-Course Requirements

Once students have achieved the course requirements for the minor, they will be permitted a maximum of two semesters to complete the capstone project or to obtain two language certificates. These certificates are useful when applying for jobs because they are internationally recognized.

The accepted official language exam certificates are:

  • Arabic: ALPT (Arabic Language Proficiency Test)
  • Chinese: HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi)
  • French: DELF (Diplôme d'études en Langue Française)
  • German: Goethe-Zertifikat
  • Portuguese: CELPE-BRAS (Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros)
  • Spanish: DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera)

The capstone project is an alternative for students not interested in achieving two official language certificates. Students must integrate their learning experiences inside and outside the classroom into a coherent product that incorporates foreign language skills, intercultural knowledge and real-life experiences.


The capstone project is an extended version of the CMM 3300 Intercultural Communication (3 cr) class final project. If you do the capstone, you must address the specific skills and outcomes required in the project by incorporating competence of languages and cultures. The project should be 13 to 15 pages long, and you will be required to give a five to 10-minute class presentation.

The capstone projects could potentially take any of the following forms:

  • Literature review, data collection (interview participants, field observation, survey, etc.) and a multilingual oral presentation
  • Literature review, creation of a training program for study-abroad students and an multilingual oral presentation 

Continuation Standards

All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better and students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00.