World Language - Persian Major Standardization v1.0

World Language: Persian

Major

As a Persian major at West Point, you will master a strategic language while building the regional expertise and leadership judgment required for Army missions across Central Asia and the Middle East. Through immersive exchanges, military focused coursework, and close faculty mentorship, you will prepare to lead with cultural intelligence in complex operational environments.

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World Language – Persian at West Point

Master the language. Understand the region. Lead with cultural intelligence.

The Persian major prepares cadets to think, communicate, and operate across one of the most strategically significant regions in the world. Through rigorous language instruction, civilizational study, and interdisciplinary coursework, cadets gain advanced proficiency and the analytical depth required for service in culturally complex environments.

This is language study tied directly to leadership and national defense.

Quick Facts

  • Degree Type: BS
  • Department: English and World Languages
  • Options: Single Language, Dual Language, Honors
  • Capstone: Persian Language and Culture Capstone
  • Immersion: Semester and short-term international programs available

Core Themes & Focus Areas

  • Advanced Persian speaking, reading, and writing
  • Persian civilization, literature, and intellectual traditions
  • Military terminology and professional communication
  • Regional politics and security studies
  • Analytical writing and cross-cultural interpretation

Cadet Quote (example placeholder):
“Physics taught me how to think under uncertainty, skills I use as a leader just as much as in the lab.” - USMA Cadet, Class of XX

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The West Point Advantage

Persian is spoken across regions where the Army trains, advises, and operates alongside allies. Officers who understand both language and culture improve coordination, reduce friction, and strengthen partnerships.

Immersive Global Experience

  • Cadets apply classroom learning through semester exchanges and short-term immersion programs in Persian speaking regions.
  • These fully funded experiences accelerate fluency and strengthen cultural understanding through direct engagement.

Faculty With Regional and Military Expertise

  • Faculty combine academic scholarship with regional and military experience.
  • Small seminar classes allow sustained language practice, close mentorship, and individualized academic advising.

Interdisciplinary Strategic Education

  • Persian majors complement language study with coursework in military geography, diplomacy, international law, political science, and security studies.
  • Cadets graduate with both linguistic proficiency and strategic perspective.

Leadership Embedded in the Curriculum

  • Language training at West Point is integrated with ethical reasoning and officer development.
  • Cadets learn to communicate clearly, assess context, and exercise judgment in culturally diverse environments.

The Journey Continues: From Persian Major to Army Officer

Service First. Leadership That Endures.

Commissioning Pathway

Graduates commission as Army officers and enter branches where regional expertise and communication skills enhance operational effectiveness.

BranchDescription
Military IntelligenceProvide culturally informed threat analysis and regional assessments.
Infantry and ArmorLead combat formations in multinational and coalition environments.
Civil AffairsWork directly with local populations and civil institutions during stability operations.
Special ForcesServe in units where language proficiency and cultural knowledge are central to mission success.
Signal or CyberOperate in complex information environments that require global awareness.
Foreign Area Officer PathwayAfter initial branch service, compete for regional specialization assignments supporting strategic engagement.

Learn how commissioning works

Post-Graduate Opportunities

Persian majors are competitive for:

  • Rhodes and Marshall scholarships
  • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
  • Army funded graduate study in regional and security fields
  • Foreign Area Officer specialization

These opportunities extend expertise while continuing to serve.

Explore scholarships and graduate opportunities

What World Language - Persian Officers Do: Across a Career

Early Career

New officers lead soldiers in demanding operational units. Language skills enhance effectiveness during deployments, joint exercises, and partner engagements.

Mid-Career

Officers may command companies, serve on operational staffs, or specialize in intelligence, civil affairs, or regional assignments. Language proficiency often shapes advisory and multinational roles.

Senior Career

Senior leaders influence how the Army engages globally through command, policy, and strategic assignments. Many pursue advanced education while continuing service.

Beyond Initial Service: A Foundation That Transfers

Leadership, cross cultural communication, and high stakes decision making skills transfer naturally to government, security policy, international business, and graduate study.

Questions Prospective Cadets Ask

Clear answers to help you decide – and take the next step

Do I need experience in Persian?

No. The program supports learners at multiple starting points. Discipline and commitment matter more than previous coursework.

Is immersion required?

The capstone is required. Immersion programs are optional and widely accessible.

Can I double major or add a minor?

Yes. Many cadets pair Persian with a regional studies minor or a second language.

How selective is this major?

The major is rigorous but open to cadets willing to meet academic standards and embrace challenge.

What does it cost?

West Point provides a fully funded education in exchange for service as an Army officer after graduation.

Ready to Lead? Start Your Journey at West Point

Admission is competitive, but this major is open to all cadets who meet USMA’s academic, physical, and leadership standards.

Key Deadlines:

  • Feb. 15 – Application & Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) open

  • April 15 – SLE application closes

  • Fall (Senior Year) – Nomination applications due

  • Jan. 31 (Senior Year) – Candidate Checklist deadline

View full admissions requirements

Take the First Step

Starting the application does not commit you to a major. It opens the door to guidance, advising, and a clearer picture of your path forward.

Begin your journey in STEM at West Point

Get answers to your questions

Discover West Point for yourself

Current Cadet CTAs

 

What You Will Study

The curriculum progresses from structured language foundations to advanced communication, cultural analysis, and professional application. Cadets integrate linguistic skill with regional history, politics, and security studies to prepare for leadership in multinational environments.

How the Curriculum Builds Your Experience

  1. Foundational Proficiency
    Develop strong speaking, reading, and writing skills through structured coursework.
  2. Advanced Application
    Apply language to media, literature, and military communication scenarios.
  3. Leadership and Professional Use
    Connect regional expertise to diplomacy, security cooperation, and operational contexts.

Course Highlights

CourseWhat You'll Learn
LN380 Nature of Modern LanguagesAnalyze how language shapes meaning across cultures.
LZ371 Intensive Intermediate PersianBuild fluency in extended conversation and authentic texts.
LZ372 Persian for Oral and Written CommunicationPractice briefings, correspondence, and negotiation scenarios.
LZ475 Persian Through MediaInterpret regional news and public discourse.
LZ476 Military Speaking and Reading in PersianApply professional terminology in operational simulations.
LZ483 Persian CivilizationStudy historical foundations shaping regional dynamics.
LZ485 Persian LiteratureExamine cultural narratives influencing identity and leadership.
LN490Z CapstoneDemonstrate advanced proficiency through research and presentation.

View the full World Language - Persian curriculum

Year-by-Year Snapshot

This progression builds language proficiency first, expands into regional and cultural depth, and culminates in professional level application tied to Army leadership.

First Year – Foundations
  • Build core academic skills through the West Point core curriculum, including composition, literature, and introductory world language study.
  • Begin or continue Persian language coursework, establishing foundational speaking, reading, and writing proficiency while developing disciplined study habits that support long term language mastery.
Second Year – Language Acceleration
  • Advance through intermediate Persian courses focused on grammar refinement, vocabulary expansion, and sustained conversation.
  • Strengthen oral and written communication skills while beginning deeper exploration of Persian civilization and cultural context.
Third Year – Advanced Proficiency and Regional Context
  • Move into upper-level coursework that connects language to media, literature, and regional studies.
  • Analyze authentic texts, interpret contemporary Persian media, and apply language skills to military and professional communication scenarios. Many cadets pursue immersion experiences during this phase to reinforce classroom learning.
Senior Year – Integration and Professional Application
  • Complete advanced electives and the Persian Language and Culture Capstone.
  • Demonstrate professional level proficiency through research, analysis, and formal presentation, integrating linguistic skill with regional expertise and strategic understanding in preparation for commissioning.
Capstone Experience

The capstone integrates language mastery with regional analysis. Cadets conduct research, analyze complex texts, and present findings at a professional level. Honors cadets complete an additional advanced study and thesis under faculty supervision.

Faculty & Mentorship

Persian majors learn in small seminar settings where faculty provide close mentorship and academic guidance.

Featured Faculty

  • COL John Baskerville, PhD
    Department Head and regional specialist.
  • Persian Program Director
    Leads curriculum and immersion coordination.
  • Senior Lecturer in Persian Language and Culture
    Guides advanced cultural and literary study.
  • Military Language Instructor
    Focuses on operational language application.

Department Culture

The department fosters intellectual curiosity, disciplined thinking, and respect for diverse cultural traditions. Faculty emphasize both academic rigor and officer development, helping cadets connect language study to leadership responsibility. Advising is personal and continuous, beginning when a cadet declares the major and extending through commissioning.

Faculty Achievements That Support Cadets

  • Faculty regularly contribute to Department of Defense language and culture initiatives.
  • Leaders of immersion programs in Armenia and Central Asia that give cadets direct exposure to Persian speaking communities.
  • Active researchers in cross cultural competence and regional studies who integrate current scholarship into undergraduate classrooms.
  • Mentors for honors theses and advanced independent studies that prepare cadets for graduate education and competitive Army pathways.

Cadets in the Persian major work closely with faculty on capstone projects, immersion preparation, and long-term career planning.

View the full faculty directory

Expand Your Expertise

Customize your Persian major to deepen regional insight, strengthen analytical skills, and prepare for specialized Army roles. Through dual language options, regional studies, and complementary minors, you can shape an academic path that aligns with your interests and long-term goals.

Language and Regional Pathways

  • Single Language Major in Persian
    Focus intensively on Persian language, literature, media, and civilization while building regional expertise across the Persianate world.

  • Dual Language Major
    Combine Persian with Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish to expand global capability and increase flexibility for future assignments.

  • Foreign Area Studies Major
    Pair advanced language study with concentrated coursework on regions such as the Middle East or Eurasia to prepare for strategic and policy focused roles.

Pair With a Minor

Select a minor that complements the Persian major to specialize further while remaining grounded in language and leadership development.

Complementary MinorOpportunity
Middle East Regional StudiesDeepen political and security expertise in the region of focus.
Eurasia Regional StudiesStudy geopolitical dynamics across Central Asia.
Africa Regional StudiesPrepare for multinational and stability missions.
Europe Regional StudiesExamine alliance structures and coalition leadership.
Latin America Regional StudiesBroaden comparative regional understanding.
East Asia Regional StudiesStrengthen global strategic perspective.

Ready to Lead? Start Your Journey at West Point

Admission is competitive, but this major is open to all cadets who meet USMA’s academic, physical, and leadership standards.

Key Deadlines:

  • Feb. 15 – Application & Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) open

  • April 15 – SLE application closes

  • Fall (Senior Year) – Nomination applications due

  • Jan. 31 (Senior Year) – Candidate Checklist deadline

View full admissions requirements

Take the First Step

Starting the application does not commit you to a major. It opens the door to guidance, advising, and a clearer picture of your path forward.

Begin your journey in STEM at West Point

Get answers to your questions

Discover West Point for yourself

Experience World Language - Persian in Action at West Point

Cadets apply language skills through fully funded immersion programs, military exchanges, and research initiatives tied to Department of Defense priorities.

Hands-On Opportunities & Unique Experiences

ExperienceWhat You'll Do / Why It Matters
Internships and ImmersionStudy in Persian speaking regions through semester exchanges and summer programs.
ResearchComplete honors theses and independent studies focused on regional security and culture.
LeadershipServe as team leaders during immersion and capstone projects.
Interdisciplinary EngagementPair language with political science, history, economics, and security studies.
Department of Defense PartnershipsContribute to language proficiency and cultural competence initiatives.

Explore cadet research

Cadet Life in This Major

  • Academic Communities
    Participate in Phi Sigma Iota and departmental programs.
  • Co-Curricular Engagement
    Attend language tables, cultural workshops, and regional discussions.
  • Conferences and Exchanges
    Engage in academic and military conferences that connect language study to leadership.

Explore more cadet experiences

Ready to Lead? Start Your Journey at West Point

Admission is competitive, but this major is open to all cadets who meet USMA’s academic, physical, and leadership standards.

Key Deadlines:

  • Feb. 15 – Application & Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) open

  • April 15 – SLE application closes

  • Fall (Senior Year) – Nomination applications due

  • Jan. 31 (Senior Year) – Candidate Checklist deadline

View full admissions requirements

Take the First Step

Starting the application does not commit you to a major. It opens the door to guidance, advising, and a clearer picture of your path forward.

Begin your journey in STEM at West Point

Get answers to your questions

Discover West Point for yourself