Language Requirement
Your path to meeting the College of Arts & Sciences language requirement.
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Language Requirement Overview
All undergraduate students in the College of Arts & Sciences must complete a language requirement to graduate. The specific requirement depends on your degree program:
- BA students must reach intermediate proficiency in a single language
- BS and SPHIS students must complete two semesters of language study
You can fulfill this requirement by studying any of the eight languages we offer: Arabic, American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin or Spanish.
Course Requirements by Degree Type
| Language | BS Arts and Sciences SPHIS Students | BA Students- Arts and Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | ARAB 122 or higher | ARAB 123 or higher |
| American Sign Language | ASL 102 or higher | ASL 202 or higher |
| Chinese | CHNS 102 or higher | CHNS 202 or higher |
| French | FREN 122 or higher | FREN 201 or higher |
| German | GERM 122, 141 or higher | GERM 123, 142 or higher |
| Greek & Latin | GR or LAT 102 or higher | GR or LAT 202 or higher |
| Japanese | JAPN 102 or higher | JAPN 202 or higher |
| Spanish | SPAN 122, 141 or higher | SPAN 123 or higher |
Your Path to Fulfilling the Requirement
Starting a New Language
If you've never studied a foreign language before, you'll begin with first-semester courses and progress through the sequence until you meet your degree requirement. Choose from any of our eight languages to start your language learning journey.
Need help choosing a language? Visit our languages page to explore your options, or contact us at language@louisville.edu.
Continuing a Language You've Studied
If you've studied a language in high school or elsewhere, you have multiple ways to fulfill the requirement:
Take a Placement Exam
Place directly into the appropriate level based on your skills. Available for Arabic, American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish. Students who've studied Spanish or French in high school are required to take the placement exam. You may qualify for retroactive credit for courses you place out of.
Use High School Credit
Apply credit from AP exams or IB exams taken in high school.
Test Out Completely
Demonstrate proficiency through the CLEP Exam and fulfill the requirement without taking courses.
Global Seal of Biliteracy
If you earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy in high school, submit your certificate to language@louisville.edu. This fulfills your language requirement (though you won't receive course credit and will need to complete those credits elsewhere with your advisor's guidance).
Placement Exams: How They Work
Placement exams help us determine the right starting level for your language courses. All students with prior Spanish or French study must take the placement exam before registering.
Spanish Heritage Learners: If you learned Spanish at home, do not take the standard placement exam. Instead, contact Dr. Samia Mathew, Director of our Spanish Heritage Language Program, to be placed in courses designed specifically for heritage speakers.
Placement Exam Contacts by Language
| Language | How to take the exam |
|---|---|
| Arabic | Contact khaldoun.almousily@louisville.edu |
| American Sign Language | Contact jordan.ramser@louisville.edu |
| Chinese | Take the online placement test, then contact li.zeng@louisville.edu to discuss your results |
| French | Take the WebCAPE Exam |
| German | Take the WebCAPE Exam |
| Japanese | Take the online placement test, then contact kendra.sheehan@louisville.edu to discuss your results |
| Latin | Visit the UofL Testing Services Center |
| Spanish as a Second Language | Take the WebCAPE Exam |
| Spanish as a Heritage Language | Contact Dr. Samia Mathew first. See Spanish Heritage Program below |
Retroactive Credit: If you take a placement exam and enroll in the course level you place into, you may qualify for credit for lower-level courses.
Spanish Heritage Language Program
If you grew up speaking Spanish at home, our Heritage Language Program offers courses designed specifically for bilingual and heritage speakers. Rather than starting from scratch, you'll build on your existing skills in a supportive, culturally-grounded environment.
Heritage language courses help you:
- Use Spanish confidently in professional and academic settings
- Strengthen your writing and critical thinking skills
- Deepen connections with Spanish-speaking communities worldwide
Ready to join the program? Contact Dr. Samia Mathew to discuss placement and course options, or learn more about the Heritage Language Program.
Native Speakers of Other Languages
If you're a native speaker of a language other than English, you may be able to fulfill the Arts & Sciences language requirement by taking the ACTFL OPI Exam.
Ready to Get Started?
Explore our language offerings or connect with our team for personalized guidance on your path to fulfilling the requirement.