By Taylor Smith 

In order to better meet the growing demands of the national workforce, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in Ewing has announced that it is adding two new undergraduate majors beginning fall 2019. They include a Bachelor of Arts in world languages and linguistics and a five-year program in secondary education with a concentration in special education. 

Many secondary education majors in New Jersey and throughout the nation are teaching in inclusive classrooms. The new major addresses the needs of employers who are looking for education majors with a significant background and/or concentration in special education. 

Similarly, the new B.A. in world languages and linguistics combines advanced coursework in world languages with skills in technical translation. Previously, TCNJ only offered an undergraduate concentration in Spanish language and literature. The new major will enable students to spend four years immersing themselves in the study and mastery of Arabic, French, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish. 

The linguistic angle is meant to help students to utilize their foreign language skills on a global scale. It is expected that world languages and linguistics majors will spend a significant amount of time studying abroad. 

“Students who study abroad communicate in a new language and thereby create a new view of themselves, their own society, and the world,” said Joseph Goebel Jr., associate professor and chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures. “Graduate schools and employers recognize that an overseas experience matures an individual; this experience makes them more desirable candidates.” 

As of 2018, the most popular majors at TCNJ were business administration, psychology, biology, communication and media studies, and teacher education and professional development. The school has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 7,000.