If you have less than two years of foreign language study at the high school level, you should enroll in the Elementary sequence of the language of your choice.  If you have two or more years, then you must take a placement exam to determine the right level of study.  You may not register for the Intermediate or Advanced course sequences without placing into them by examination or successfully completing the Elementary sequence.

Placement Exam

These exams are offered four times per year: during new student orientation in August, in January for transfer students, and during both pre-registration periods in November and March. Anyone who registers with the department coordinator may take it at any of these times. Taking the exam does not automatically confer credit, but it may allow you to place out of lower level courses. Once you successfully complete the course into which you place, you will receive credit for the course(s) from which the exam exempts you, up to a maximum of 6 hours.

Other Ways to Acquire Credit for Previous Language Study 

Besides placement tests, there are two additional ways to receive credit for previous language study. One is the Advanced Placement Program (APP) sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board. Scores of 3, 4, or 5 will be accepted. Another is the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). This exam is available at regional sites (see http://www.collegeboard.org).