Overview of Foreign Languages Placement Levels
In French, German, Latin and Spanish, and in other languages where available, a language placement exam is required of all entering students and all upper-level students who have not previously taken the placement test before enrolling in their first language course. The placement exam score remains valid for two years and then must be retaken before a student may enroll in the first foreign language course.
Students are expected to enroll in the couse indicated by the results of their exam. When warranted, a student's placement level may be adjusted after consultation with the foreign language advisor. If a student believes that the Foreign Language placement score is incorrect, he or she must meet with the instructor and/or the Chair of the Foreign Language department. If it is determined that the student should move from one course to another, a permit can be issued so that they can do so.
Transfer students with college credit in a foreign language who wish to continue in the same language are not required to take the placement test. However, transfer students are encouraged to consult with the faculty advisor for that language.
Students can receive up to six hours of placement credit (credit for courses they place out of) when they take the foreign language course they score into (validation course) and pass it with a C or better. The benefit for students is that they can receive up to six additional hours of credit for taking the three-hour validation course. If the student already has credit for a course, additional credit for that course will not be awarded.
Please refer to the following tables for placement and credit:
