Foreign Language Requirement

Foreign Language Requirement for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

The minimal foreign language requirement for all bachelor of arts students, regardless of major, is proficiency in a foreign language as demonstrated by one of the following (0-8 credits):

  • satisfactory completion of one year of one language at the university level. American Sign Language I (SL 2950)-American Sign Language II (SL 2960) fulfill this one year of one language requirement; however, American Sign Language does not satisfy the Global Awareness Connection;
  • satisfactory completion of a departmental placement test and French Language and Culture Studies IV (FR 2024), or Spanish Language and Culture Studies IV (SP 2024)
  • satisfactory completion of one three-credit course at the 3000 level or above; or
  • satisfactory completion of a proficiency test (see Advanced Placement and CLEP in the Transferring Credits section).

The foreign language requirement is satisfied for BA candidates who are native speakers of a language other than English. No credit is awarded.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete their foreign language requirement in their first year to build on their high school experience. It is important that the language requirement be satisfied during the first or second year. All students are encouraged to take a foreign language to satisfy the Global Awareness Connection.

Plymouth State offers language/culture courses in American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. Media facilities for the enhancement of teaching and learning in multi-media classrooms and language laboratory are available.

Initial placement in the French and Spanish programs is through assessment of high school or other language experience, or through a placement exam (CAPE–Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam). Contact the French and Spanish professors.

  • Students who have no previous study or have completed no more than one year of high school French may register for French Language and Culture Studies I (FR 1011). Students who recently have completed their third year of high school French or one year 1000-level university French register for French Language and Culture Studies III (FR 2023).
  • Students who have no previous study or have completed no more than one year of high school Spanish register for Spanish Language and Culture Studies I (SP 1011). Students who recently have completed their third year of high school Spanish or one year of 1000-level university Spanish register for Spanish Language and Culture Studies III (SP 2023).