The Department of English and Modern Languages shares the University's commitment to the integration of Christian faith with scholarship.  Its mission is to teach students to communicate effectively, to recognize and appreciate the interplay between language and culture, to interact critically with a wide range of texts, and to apply these skills in their lives of service to God and humanity.

Programs in English develop students' understanding and appreciation of literary works in a variety of genres; familiarize them with the concepts and analysis of language; enable them to convey effective written, oral, and visual messages to diverse audiences; and strengthen their critical skills.

Programs in Spanish and French engage students in communication, including the skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing within its cultural context.  Students make connections with other disciplines and compare diverse viewpoints while utilizing the target language.  The program fosters opportunities to interact with native speakers in a variety of settings, including a study abroad component.

Departmental programs combine liberal arts with professional preparation for a variety of careers, including education, business and marketing, public relations, translation, ministry, law, and social work.  These programs also enrich majors or minors in other academic fields.