Language Placement Guidelines

Placement Information

See below for language placement information for each language.

Spanish

Education/ Experience Level for Course Registration
No experience or 1 year high school 111
2 years of high school 115
3 years of high school 211
More than 3 years of high school 215

AP credit, IB credit or prior college credit
  • A score of 3 on AP or 4 on IB - start at SPAN 215
  • A score of 4 on AP or 5 on IB - start at SPAN 250
  • A score of 5 on AP or 6-7 on IB - start at SPAN 251
  • A score of AP Spanish Literature score 3 - start at 251
  • A score of AP Spanish Literature score 4 or 5, score of 6-7 on IB (HL) - start at Spanish 344
Spanish native and heritage speakers (Bilingual speakers/Hispanic background) Cannot take SPAN 111, 115, 211, 215 or 250. Can take SPAN 212, 251 and often 344.*

 

Students who successfully complete SPAN 212 fulfill the university's language requirement for entrance.

 

Italian

Education/Experience

Level for Course Registration
No experience or 1 year of high school 111
2 years of high school 115
3 years of high school 211
More than 3 years of high school 215
AP credit, IB credit or prior college credit
  • A score of 3 on AP or 4 on IB - start at ITAL 215
  • A score of 4 on AP or 5 on IB - start at ITAL 241
  • A score of 5 on AP or 6-7 on IB - start at ITAL 241
Italian native and heritage speakers (Bilingual speakers/Italian background) Cannot take ITAL 111, 115, 211, 215 or 250. Can take most 300- and often 400-level courses.*

French

Education/ Experience

Level for Course Registration
No experience or 1 year high school 111
2 years of high school 115
3 years of high school 211
More than 3 years of high school 215
AP credit, IB credit or prior college credit
  • A score of 3 on AP or 4 on IB - start at FREN 241
  • A score of 4 on AP or 5 on IB - start at FREN 341
  • A score of 5 on AP or 6-7 on IB - start at FREN 300-level: 351 or above
French native speakers Cannot take FREN 111, 115, 211 or 215. Can take 300-level courses.*
  1. One college semester is equivalent to one year in high school.
  2. Students who have received a score of 85 or more in the Regents exam should begin at the 211 level.
  3. Students who have AP credit cannot take 211 for credit.
  4. Students who earned a 3 on the IB exam can take 211 for credit.
  5. Students who have credit from a language or literature exam must consult an advisor for specific guidelines for placement.

Please be advised that students may be removed from the course(s) if they exceed the level of experience for the particular course they have enrolled in. It is also important to consult with a departmental advisor for additional questions.

*Consult with a departmental advisor about course needs for native speakers.

For more information

Please visit the Foreign Language Requirements page where you will find the Foreign Language Calculator to help determine your foreign language requirement. You can also download our Language Waiver Application Form..