Language Placement Policy in Spanish, French or German
Please be aware that the foreign language requirement is "the completion of 202 or equivalent," not "12 hours of language study." With successful completion of 202, all language courses below this level will be waived for graduation. This is a key distinction, because if students have studied Spanish, French or German in high school they SHOULD NOT begin again in GER/FRE/SPA 101. The following chart shows appropriate placement as per language experience.
1 year of high school study |
Enroll in SPA/FRE 130 or 102; GER 102 |
2 years of high school study |
Enroll in SPA/FRE/GER 102 or 201 |
3-4 years of high school study |
Enroll in SPA/FRE/GER 201 or 202 |
Native speakers, heritage speakers or students with experience in French/Spanish-speaking countries For Advanced Placement (AP) credit in a language see the undergraduate bulletin for corresponding scores and hours or speak with an Admissions’ officer. |
Enroll in SPA 313/321 and/or FRE 321/305 or GER 305, 341, 405. Sign up for CLEP test to receive up to 12 hrs SPA/FRE/GER credit. Strongly consider foreign language (double) major or minor (See below). |
What students need to know:
1) Because placement depends on previous language experience, we recommend that students complete language study as freshmen/sophomores if at all possible. Delaying language study can complicate progress through the sequence of courses, as students may only enroll in one basic language (101-202) course at a time. For the same reason, it is best to take language courses one after the other without gaps (other than summers).
2) Students may receive college credit for prior language study via the CLEP exam. Up to 12 hours of credit in a foreign language may be earned through the CLEP. These hours will then count toward the foreign language requirement as well as toward a foreign language major/minor. Students with two years of high school study generally receive 3-6 hours of college credit, while students who have studied a language for 3-4 years generally receive 6-12 hours of credit. Heritage/native speakers should take the CLEP to receive credit for 101-202 (12 hours).
CLEP score equivalencies at USM:
40-44 = 101 or 3hrs
45-51 = through 102 or 6 hrs
52-61= through 201 or 9hrs
62-80 = through 202 or 12hrs
CLEP test: The College Level Examination Program in languages is an option about which you should be aware if you have already had several years of language study. The CLEP is used to award up to 12 hours (the equivalent of SPA/FRE/GER 202) of college-level credit for pre-existing language knowledge, whether from high school study, foreign study, or home environment use. It is a multiple-choice exam testing reading and listening comprehension. You can take the CLEP exam on the USM campus in the Testing Center in the Walker Science Building. Phone: 601-266-6123 for more information. Additional information is available at CLEP Test
3) Students can receive a Spanish/French/German minor with only six additional hours after 202 (18 hours total, up to 12 of which may be awarded by CLEP).
4) In Spanish, summer study abroad options (five-week programs to Spain and Mexico) are available which count toward completion of the language requirement (six semester credit hours), or through which students may complete a Spanish minor if they have completed SPA 202. These credit hours also count towards a major. Basic language courses (101-202) in both Spanish and French are offered in the summer. Semester and year-long study abroad programs are available in French, Spanish and German.
COURSE INFORMATION:
SPA/FRE/GER 101: This course is for true beginners in the language. If you have studied the language in high school 101 is not the course for you. Consider taking the CLEP and enroll in either 102 or 130 (see below).
SPA/FRE 130 This is a course designed for students who have had some previous language study (a semester or a year of high school). It reviews the basic concepts of 101 and builds from there to cover the major concepts of 102. This course is equivalent to 101 and 102; after this course, students should enroll in 201. In Spanish, 130 is generally offered in both Fall and Spring semesters; in French, it is offered only in the spring.
SPA/FRE/GER 102 This course is designed for students who have had two years of high school study or for students continuing from 101. It presumes knowledge of basic greetings, numbers, etc.
SPA/FRE/GER 201 This course is designed for students who have had three or four years of high school study or for students continuing from 102. It presumes knowledge of basic vocabulary and present tense communicative functions.
SPA/FRE/GER 202 This course is designed for students who have had four years of study and/or have taken AP language courses in high school. It is also designed for students continuing from 201. It presumes knowledge of vocabulary appropriate to a range of real-world contexts as well as present, future, and past tense communicative functions.
SPA/FRE/GER 300-level and beyond These courses require the completion of 202 or the equivalent. Upper division (300 and 400-level) courses may be taken concurrently. A number of 300 and 400-level courses are available each fall and spring semester. In the summer, upper division courses are offered in Spanish, and one upper division course is offered in French.
Foreign Language Major: You can complete a major with 30 hours of courses at the 200-level or above in a single language or with 30 hours in two languages. Please consult a current bulletin. For more information on these policies please contact the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.