Russian – Bachelor’s Degree Program (BA)
Earn a Bachelor's in Russian at University of Montana
Our program is nationally recognized for both our faculty and student accomplishments and offers a full complement of culture classes, including a general introductory Russian culture and popular film course.
As a Russian major, you’ll be enveloped by the Russian language and culture — from Russian cuisine to contemporary political issues to study abroad and a student club that connects you with other students of Russian. Our UM Russian students have a stellar record of awards — including numerous State Department's Critical Language Scholarships, Fulbright Grants and Boren Awards.
A major in Russian can be completed in as few as three years if you take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad. Our program is small and personal, with a strong commitment to mentoring students. Networking and research also help bolster students’ skills and their job search post-graduation.
In the past 10 years, all of our students who applied to graduate school were accepted
most natively spoken language in the world
Other Russian degree options at UM
Bachelor of Arts in Russian – Russian Language Education concentration
Minor in Russian Language Education
World Competencies Certificate
What can you do with a Russian language degree?
UM’s Russian graduates are well-positioned for the job market. In fact, employers are impressed that students chose to study a demanding discipline like Russian — and 100% of our students who apply to teach English in Russia after graduation find jobs.
Many Russian graduates have gone to graduate or professional schools — including programs in political science, English literature, journalism, Slavic or Russian at universities such as Berkeley, University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins, American University, University of Washington, Kansas, Illinois and Oregon.
Others have gone on to law school and medical school. It’s well known that Russian is a rigorous course of study that shows a commitment to work and prepares students for memorization and critical thinking.
Russian jobs
Potential job opportunities for Russian language graduates include:
- Russian teacher
- Russian professor
- Russian translator
- Russian interpreter
- International education professional
- Nonprofit immigration advocate
- Lawyer
- Foreign service officer
- International trade specialist
- Tour guide
- Flight attendant
- Editor
Russian salaries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for translators and interpreters is $52,330. International trade specialists at the U.S. Department of Commerce can earn anywhere from $55,207 to $158,724, while a typical U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer salary is $107,793. The average salary for immigration lawyers in Montana is $66,466 — according to Ziprecruiter.com
Alumni Success Story
UM Russian alumna Abigail Homer continued her education at the University of Washington in Seattle and then served as an Americorps member working with immigrants and refugees in the Puget Sound area. After an internship with EducationUSA in Kazakhstan and two Fulbright awards to teach English in Kazakhstan, she now works with American study abroad students in Kyrgyzstan as the resident director of the State Department CLS and NSLI-Y Russian language exchange programs. Abigail assists students with cultural immersion and issues related to host families, health and wellness, the academic program, or any other challenges in their daily life while abroad.
Experiential learning in the Russian degree
The degree in Russian is rich with experiential, hands-on opportunities for students. We suggest specific national scholarships to apply to, encourage students to study abroad, engage in research, and go on to graduate school.
Internships and community service learning in the Russian program
Our students have interned through a study abroad organization, creating website content such as blog posts and film reviews. This allows them to use their language skills while immersing themselves in the Russian culture. Russian Club has also worked together to provide translation services for the Missoula Food Bank.
Undergraduate research experiences in the Russian program
Our seminar — a capstone course — ensures that all of our students have a serious piece of research to use as a writing sample beyond college if needed. It’s all about preparing our students for life after UM.
Study abroad opportunities for Russian majors
As the U.S. State Department has deemed Russian as a critical language, there are numerous funding opportunities available to students for study abroad. Our faculty connect students with these opportunities and mentor them through the application process. For other students who want to study abroad, we assist in helping them find the perfect fit based on cost, location and course of study.
Career development in the Russian program
The UM Russian program prioritizes mentoring above all else. Even our students mentor one another.
We like to say we are “small but mighty.” We’re close-knit and know our students very well.
We always think about how students can build their resumes and skills so they can win awards and/or get into respected graduate or professional programs.
UM’s Russian program is also home to a robust network of alumni and community members who visit classes and connect with students who have an interest in their area of knowledge. These relationships create career development opportunities for students after graduation
Networking and professional development for Russian majors
Our students are highly involved in UM’s officially recognized Russian Club. They meet every week for a Conversation Table, where they can practice speaking and receive free peer tutoring. Monthly events give students the opportunity to experience Russian culture, including food, films, music and lectures. As an added benefit, the club also provides leadership opportunities with students serving as president and vice president. In 2022 and again in 2023, the club raised $1,000 for Ukraine relief efforts.
Scholarships for Russian majors
There are many funding opportunities for students who study Russian. The State Department offers Critical Language Scholarships and Boren Scholarships. Fulbright Awards are also frequently won by our students. We also offer 4-6 scholarships each year especially for Russian majors.
Explore classes for the Russian degree program
The Russian degree program offers a well-rounded education in language, literature, culture, history and politics. Courses include four years of language instruction; Introduction to Russian and Ukrainian Culture (offered online); Evil and the Supernatural; and Beauty, Power and Pride; Russian Cinema; and seminars on Dostoevsky; Women and Gender in Russian Culture; and Nature and the Environment.