The B.­A. in Russian Language, Literature, and Culture is currently not enrolling incoming students for Fall 2026.

Degrees Offered: Minor, B.A.

Why Study Russian?

Known around the world for its literature, ballet, opera, theater, classical music and visual art, Russia's rich and compelling culture has long fascinated Americans, but today the knowledge of Russian also offers myriad employment opportunities both in the U.S. and in Russia.

Our students have found careers in non-governmental organizations, publishing houses, internet start-ups, law, finance, and advertising firms, as well as other businesses both here and in Russia. They go on to work as analysts, researchers, or consultants in fields such as media, marketing, chemistry, aerospace and computer engineering. Others have gone into government service, including positions in the Intelligence community, Department of State, Defense, Homeland Security and USAID.

There has never been a better time to pursue a degree in Russian. If you're already studying Russian, consider these great funding/learning opportunities:
Fulbright ETA / Fulbright Research or Open Study Awards / Gilman International Scholarships / Critical Language Scholarship Program / Boren Scholarships

Russian Language Placement

All students who would like to take Russian are required to take a language placement assessment, regardless of previous exposure to or instruction in Russian.

Please note that the language placement assessment is designed to place you at the correct skill level. It is not a graded exam or a proficiency test but rather an assessment to match your skills with the appropriate language course at SU.

Information to navigate the assessments can be found at Language Placement Exams - College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University

If you have questions about your placement, contact the Russian Language Coordinator, Erika Haber.

Questions concerning fulfilling your program’s language requirement can be directed to the Department Chair at lllchair@syr.edu.

Congratulations to our Award-Winning Majors & Minors:

Aaron Lener and Anna Meehan, winners of the Douglas Shaheen Excellence in Russian Award, 2025.

Iona Volynets – University Scholar, 2024; Marshall Scholar, 2024; Gerlinde Ulm Sanford Outstanding Student in LLL Award, 2024; Critical Languages Scholarship in Russian (Tbilisi, Georgia), 2023; Truman Scholarship, 2023; Obama-Chesky Scholarship, 2022.

Mary Margaret (Maggie) Matthews – Douglas Shaheen Excellence in Russian Award, 2023.

Justin Mitchell – Phi Beta Kappa, 2021; Remembrance Scholar, 2021, Boren Scholar (Kazakhstan), 2023.

Stanley Smudin – Outstanding Graduating Russian Major, Spring 2022; Fulbright-Hays Award, Study in Latvia, summer 2022.
Bronwyn Galloway – Phi Beta Kappa, 2021; Outstanding Graduating Russian Major, Spring 2021.
Cadence Christian – Gerlinde Ulm Sanford Award winner, Spring 2021.
Justin Mitchell – Phi Beta Kappa, 2021, Remembrance Scholar, 2021.
Joshua Margrey – Phi Beta Kappa, 2021.
Molly Bolan – Fulbright Teaching Award (Russia), 2019; Critical Language Scholarship (Russian), 2018.
Bronwyn Galloway – Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Grant, 2019.
Nathan Shearn – Syracuse University Scholar, 2019; Fulbright-Hays Award, Study in Siberia, 2019.
Casey Woodall – Fulbright-Hays Award, Study in Siberia, 2019.
Jade M. Rhoads – Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, 2018; Critical Language Scholarship (Russian), 2018; Udall Scholarship, 2017.
Celia Volkwein – Outstanding Graduating Russian major, 2017;
Farrell Greenwald Brenner – Syracuse University Scholar, 2017; Fulbright Scholar Award, semi-finalist (Poland), 2017.