Language Requirement

Language Requirement for Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires students to reach an intermediate level of study for a single foreign language. The Bachelor of Science degree requires students to study a foreign language for two complete semesters. To fulfill this requirement students can take classes in one of the ten languages offered by the Department of Classical & Modern Languages. Please refer to the charts below to determine which course you need to meet your degree requirement. 

Language Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science
Arabic ARAB 123 or higher ARAB 122 or higher
American Sign Language ASL 202 or higher ASL 102 or higher
Chinese CHNS 202 or higher CHNS 102 or higher
French FREN 201 or higher FREN 122 or higher
German GERM 123, 142, or higher GERM 122, 141 or higher
Greek & Latin GR or LAT 202 or higher GR or LAT 102 or higher
Japanese JAPN 202 or higher JAPN 102 or higher
Russian RUSS 123 or higher RUSS 122 or higher
Spanish SPAN 123 or higher SPAN 122, 141 or higher

*Hours are approximate


Students Who Have Not Previously Studied a Language

Students who have no previous knowledge of a foreign language will meet the language requirement by taking classes with the Department of Classical & Modern Languages. Students may choose to take classes in one of nine languages. For students who have no prior study or experience with French or Spanish languages, they can request an override of the placement exam by emailing . For more information about different languages offered by the Department of Classical & Modern Languages, please visit this link.

Students will need to start with the first semester and continue until they have fulfilled the requirement for their degree program.


Students who Speak Languages Other than English (ACTFL)

Students who are native speakers of a language other than English may be able to fulfill the language requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences by testing out via the ACTFL OPI Exam

*NOTE: Heritage Spanish speakers are encouraged to take the Heritage Speaker exam.  This would allow for potentially more credit and allow for a better pathway to the Spanish minor.  To inquire if the exam is for you, please email .


Spanish Heritage Learners

NOTE: Heritage Spanish speakers are encouraged to take the Heritage Speaker exam.  This would allow for potentially more credit and allow for a better pathway to the Spanish minor.

Students who are heritage learners of Spanish can be placed into Spanish heritage courses. The Spanish Heritage Track has been created to help bilingual students expand their Spanish skills and knowledge of their cultural heritage in a rich, confidence-building environment. The mission of the program is to promote Spanish language development and maintenance in the target language. We believe that every heritage student has rich linguistic resources and cultural understandings that are welcome and nourished in the classroom context.

Students who participate in the program will benefit in the following ways: 

  1. Use Spanish confidently in their home, work, or community. 
  2. Find more connections with friends and colleagues in the Spanish-speaking world. 
  3. Improve their writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking skills in Spanish. 

Ready to learn more?  Please click here or email .


Students with Previous Study in a Second Language

Students who have had some formal study in a foreign language have several paths to meeting the language requirement. Some students who take foreign language in high school may fulfill the requirement via Advanced Placement creditIB credit or the STAMP 4S Exam.

Students who did not take a test in high school may also be able to place into a second semester course or higher by taking the Placement Exam.  They may also fulfill the language requirement by taking the CLEP Exam. 

**Placement Exams**

A Placement exam is used to place students into the appropriate level of a language course. The exam may be taken in the following languages: Arabic, American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and SpanishIn order to be placed at the appropriate level, all students who have studied Spanish and French in high school will be required to take the Placement Exam.  Students who have prior study in our other languages are encouraged to take the placement as so they can begin in the best course for them.  All students who take the Placement Exam and the course they placed in could qualify for language creditTo learn how to take the Placement exam, you can either click on the exam link or reach out to the contact listed below.

 
LANGUAGE CONTACT

Arabic

Placement Test

(Once you have completed the exam, please contact to discuss your placement)

American Sign Language

Email aslis@lousiville.edu or call 502-852-4607

Chinese

Placement Test

(Once you have completed the exam, please contact to discuss your placement)

French WebCAPE Exam
German WebCAPE Exam
Japanese

Placement Test

(Once you have completed the exam, please contact

Latin University of Louisville Testing Services Center
Russian WebCAPE Exam
Spanish as a Second Language WebCAPE Exam
Spanish as a Heritage Language

Email language@louisville.edu


Application for Language Credits

Students who take the placement exam and take courses based on their placement may qualify for language credits.  If you have been advised to apply for language credit, please click here.