Language Requirement
A. Language Requirement
If your college (Liberal Arts, Business, Journalism, Science, etc.) or degree (normally a B.A.) requires proficiency in a second language, you can satisfy this requirement through one of three options.
- Successfully complete a fourth semester college course in a second language or American Sign Language, or SPAN 227 for Spanish heritage speakers.
- Demonstrate proficiency through means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, including, but not limited to
- Minimum standardized test scores (CBAPE, SAT II, or IB)
- A minimum aptitute on an accredited second language assessment test (see C.2 below)
- Provide transcript evidence of a high school or equivalent diploma in which English was not the language of instruction (see C.1 below)
- Participate in a study abroad language program pre-approved by the Department of World Languages and Literature to meet the language requirement.
Note: Four years of high school second language instruction does not automatically satsify this requirement.
Explore languages regularly taught at the University of Nevada, Reno.
B. Placement exam information
If you are continuing in the study of French or Spanish from high school or another institution, you are required to complete the survey and placement exam to be placed in the appropriate first-or-second-year language course. If you are a heritage language speaker of Spanish, you are required to complete the survey and a different placement exam to be placed in the appropriate Spanish heritage language course (SPAN 226, 227). For all other languages offered at the University of Nevada, Reno, contact an undergraduate advisor on placement into the basic first-or-second-year language program (111, 112, 211, or 212). For Spanish heritage language advising (SPAN 226, 227), contact Mr. Ortiz.
Take the French placement exam online
Take the Spanish placement exam online
C. Other ways to fulfill a second language requirement
For students who are interested in waiving a second language requirement with proficiency in any language other than English (including but not limited to: international students, native or heritage language speakers, graduate students, or scholarships/Fulbright applicants needing a language evaluation)
- Send a scanned unofficial high school transcript or accredited program transcript demonstrating completion of studies in the country that the language is spoken to the department chair, or
- Purchase and complete a third-party, proctored, web-based/online, adaptive, proficiency exam testing reading, speaking, listening, and writing (graduate students will only need reading).
- Information guide: Test taker guide
- Take a sample test: Sample test
- Scored needed: A score of "5" on all four skills is needed to waive the language requirement. Review benchmark scores.
- Ready to take the test? take the test
- After taking the test, inform the department chair
- Is your language not listed? Contact the department chair
Note: The waiver does not grant credits and credit by exam (CBE) is not offered for first or second-year language courses.
Language requirement FAQs
We encourage you to fulfill the requirement early. If you are continuing a language from high school, the sooner you start, the better. If you start a new language, you will need four semesters to fulfill the requirement. Planning ahead is essential.
The placement exam is a shorter exam (40 minutes) that you can take anytime, anywhere. It provides an initial indication of your language ability in order to place you into the appropriate level.
The proficiency exam is a longer (one-to-two hours), in-depth proctored exam that is offered on scheduled dates. It provides a complete measurement of your language ability.
The language requirement is a competency requirement. You can show you are competent at the level established by the requirement (212) by either taking and passing a course at or above that level or taking a proficiency exam that allows you to demonstrate competence at that level. The placement exam does not demonstrate competence at a particular level. The proficiency exam does.
You can choose to start a new language at the University of Nevada, Reno or continue one of the languages studied in high school. When continuing with a language previously studied, only one placement exam is required. If the language you studied previously is not offered at the University of Nevada, Reno, please contact the department chair.
The First-Year Language I courses (numbered 111) is intended for true beginners with no prior experience in that language. You are not required to continue in the same language you studied in high school. In this situation, you might consider taking a new language. If you want to continue with the same language, you will take the placement exam and begin in the course indicated, depending on the placement results and your high school transcript information.
The placement exam is in place for Spanish and French and includes reading and vocabulary. It is not necessary to prepare for the exam. Immediately prior to testing, you might consider spending 15 – 20 minutes reading in the language as this will probably help with basic recall. For other languages, please contact the undergraduate advisor of that language.
If the language you studied previously is not offered at the University of Nevada, Reno, please contact the department chair.
If you graduated from high school in the U.S.
You will be required to demonstrate competence in a language other than English through the testing process described in number C.2 above or through the completion of a class at the 212 level or higher.
International students
If your high school education was in a language other than English, we will prepare a language waiver for you for your native language. Refer to C.1 above.
If you are a heritage language speaker of Spanish, please complete the Spanish placement survey to be placed in the appropriate Spanish heritage language course (SPAN 226, 227). Successful completion of SPAN 227 fulfills the foreign language requirement. For questions, contact the heritage language advisor, Mr. Ortiz.
If you graduated from high school in the U.S.
You will be required to demonstrate competence in a language other than English through the testing process described in number two above or through the completion of a class at the 212 level or higher.
International students
If your high school education was in a language other than English, we will prepare a language waiver for you for your native language. Refer to number one above.
Please note that we do not offer credit by exam for 111-212 first- and second-year language courses.
Refer to points C.1 and C.2 above.
Please contact the department chair of World Languages and Literatures.