The Department of Modern Languages at Saint Mary's College offers courses in French, German, Italian and Spanish language, literature and culture. The programs in French, Italian and Spanish include courses which range from introductory language to advanced courses for those students pursuing a minor or a major in one of those languages, along with the opportunity to study abroad in countries where those languages are spoken. Course offerings in German are limited to, for the moment, to introductory, elementary and intermediate courses with accompanying conversation sections. The German program is enhanced by the opportunity to study abroad in Innsbruck, Austria and to pursue a minor or a major through the University of Notre Dame.

The Department of Modern Languages believes that studying other languages, literatures and cultures is an inseparable component of higher education. Beyond the personal enrichment, the ability to speak another language and to understand another culture is a distinctive asset in careers such as education, nursing, social work, medicine, law and business.