Program Length
- 1 Year
Credential
- Post-Degree Diploma
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
Are you looking to add Spanish or French proficiency training to your resumé? VIU’s post-degree French or Spanish language diploma program combines written, oral and reading comprehension instruction along with a cultural component to develop a deeper understanding of the Romance language.
Taking a post-degree in Latin Languages opens up doors to careers in government, tourism, international business, teaching and travel.
The Post-Degree Diploma in Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) Program
Program Length: 33 credits related to the language of specialization; 1 - 4 years
The Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) Post-Degree Diploma offers students who have completed a Bachelor's degree (e.g. Bachelor of Education), the opportunity to document their completion of a specialization in Language outside their Bachelor's program. It is awarded subsequent to a Bachelor's degree.
The Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) Post-Degree Diploma is not an addition to the Minor; it has the same course requirements, learning outcomes, and evaluation procedures as the B.A. Minor.
French Concentration
Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year French, or equivalent. Completion of French Immersion 12 allows students to start at FRCH 221, and take 9 rather than 15 credits — FRCH 221, FRCH 222, and FRCH 230 — before moving into upper level courses. Native French speakers should consult with department regarding eligibility.
| Years 1 and 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| FRCH 121 - (Intermediate French I) | 3 |
| FRCH 122 - (Intermediate French II) | 3 |
| FRCH 221 - (French Oral and Written Practice I) | 3 |
| FRCH 222 - (French Oral and Written Practice II) | 3 |
| FRCH 230 - (Introduction to Francophone Culture and Literature) | 3 |
| Total credits | 15 |
Note: Students without French 12 must take FRCH 100 / FRCH 101 and/or FRCH 110 to meet the prerequisite for FRCH 121. (Prerequisite for FRCH 121 is French 12, or a 'B' in FRCH 101 or FRCH 110).
Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year French, Spanish, or Language courses.
| Years 3 and 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
| FRCH 300 - (Critical Analysis and Writing Skills) | 3 |
| FRCH 301 - (Oral Expression and Cultural Exploration in French) | 3 |
| Select four courses from the following: FRCH 320 - (French Normative Phonetics: Theory and Practice) FRCH 330 - (Development of the Novel in French) FRCH 437 - (Special Topics in French Literature) FRCH 447 - (Special Topics in French Language) LANG 390 - (Internship) LANG 417 - (Special Topics in Romance Culture) LANG 470 - (Translation Theory I) and LANG 471 (Translation Theory II) SPAN 417 - (Special Topics in Hispanic Culture) | 12 |
| Total credits | 18 |
Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter-American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).
Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).
Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.
Spanish Concentration
Years 1 and 2: A minimum 'C+' average in 15 credits of first and second year Spanish, or equivalent. (Native Spanish speakers should consult with the department regarding eligibility).
| Years 1 and 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPAN 100 - (Beginning Spanish I) | 3 |
| SPAN 101 - (Beginning Spanish II) | 3 |
| SPAN 200 - (Intermediate Spanish I) | 3 |
| SPAN 201 - (Intermediate Spanish I) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: SPAN 210 - (Introduction to Hispanic Culture – Spain) SPAN 211 - (Introduction to Hispanic Culture – Latin America) SPAN 230 - (Introduction to Hispanic Literature and Culture) SPAN 250 - (Introduction to Writing in Spanish) SPAN 260 - (Evolution of Spanish Cinema - Almodovar and the Eighties) | 3 |
| Total credits | 15 |
Years 3 and 4: A minimum 18 credits of third and fourth year Spanish, or Language courses.
| Years 3 and 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPAN 300 - (Advanced Spanish I) | 3 |
| SPAN 301 - (Advanced Spanish II) | 3 |
| Select four courses from the following: LANG 390 - (Internship) LANG 417 - (Special Topics in Romance Culture) LANG 470 - (Translation Theory I) and LANG 471 (Translation Theory II) SPAN 330 - (Hispanic Literature and Literary Analysis) SPAN 331 - (Hispanic Poetry and Poetic Analysis) SPAN 417 - (Special Topics in Hispanic Culture) SPAN 437 - (Special Topics in Hispanic Literature) | 12 |
| Total credits | 18 |
Note 1: Students may apply up to 6 credits of upper-level courses outside the Modern Languages department that are clearly relevant to the student's specialization, such as ENGL 405 - Inter-American Studies, LING 350 - Linguistics and the Dimensions, LBST 420 - The Modern Experience & Beyond (counts as 3 credits).
Other courses may also apply; consult with the Minor Program Coordinator for specific course approval. (Students may not count any course for required credit, in more than one program).
Note 2: Students may also apply up to 9 credits from a field school or exchange program with approval from the Department.
Completion Requirements
Successful completion of the required courses (33 credits related to the language of specialization).
This program is designed for students who have recognized Bachelor's degrees and wish to complete an academic credential equal in scope to a language minor. New students will be placed in language courses according to ability, experience, and previous education. Native French and Spanish speakers should consult with the department regarding exemption from lower-level requirements.
Program Regulations
Students must obtain a minimum "C+" average in all required first and second year courses, and then complete 18 credits of upper-level courses related to their language of specialization.
There is an identified need for people with second language skills in a wide variety of employment areas such as primary and secondary education, research, business, tourism, fisheries, forestry and other federal government services.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) | 4,992.00 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,500.00 |
| Total | 7,333.96 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year* | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $799.77 per credit) | 23,993.10 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year | 1,500.00 |
| Total | 26,335.06 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | ||
|
Application Fee:
$45.16
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Donna Kist Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2526 Email: Donna.Kist@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Hope Leith Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2154 Email: Hope.Leith@viu.ca |
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International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
Fall 2025
Application Fee:
$150.00
Testing Required:
No
Chair Contact:
Name: Hope Leith Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2154 Email: Hope.Leith@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Jamie Mollins Email: Study@viu.ca
Comments:
For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca |
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Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.