Foreign Language Requirement

The College requires at least 8 credits, or the equivalent credits as described below, in the same foreign language. Some departments/programs  require more than two semesters for the bachelor degree and those marked with an asterisk do not accept American Sign Language: anthropology*, English*, history*, international studies*, and the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Music in vocal music performance.          

         I.       Students may complete the College language requirement by one of the following:        

1.        Successful completion of the first two semesters at UW (or the equivalent in transfer) of a single foreign language. The college requirement may be satisfied by courses in American Sign Language, but some departmental requirements differ.

2.        Successful completion of the second or third semester or a more advanced course in the language (a grade of C or better).

3.   Language proficiency as demonstrated by the Modern & Classical Languages departmental exam, College-Level Examination (CLEP), or Advanced Placement examinations (AP). Credit earned may be applied to the College and department requirements. Students with prior college credits in a foreign language may not take a placement exam. Check with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at 766-4177 and at http://www.uwyo.edu/modlang/getting started/placemen.html.

             II.       The only exceptions to the foreign language requirement are: 

1.        Professional degree programs in Chemistry; Music Education; Instrumental and Keyboard Music Performance; Physics Plus, and Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management allow a choice of two semesters of a single foreign language or 6 credit hours in upper-division courses outside the major department’s rubric.  Students majoring in Vocal Music Performance, however, must take 8 credits of a foreign language (credit by examination and American Sign Language do not count for vocal music majors). 

2.        Foreign students who are native speakers of a language other than English and who finished high school in their native country in a non-English speaking school are exempted from this require­ment upon successful completion of the University Studies Writing A and Writing B requirements. 

3.       Native American students enrolled in a degree program in the College may earn up to 12 credit hours by passing an oral examination in either the Arapaho or Shoshone language. If a student is successful in this oral examination, the College foreign language requirements is satisfied. Additional information about the oral examination may be  obtained from the Department of Modern & Classical Languages UW: Classical and Modern Languages and American Indian Studies Program  (antell@uwyo.edu ).  

             III.        Applications for examinations are available in the Office of the Registrar. After initial approval, the student takes the application to the Department of Modern & Classical Languages (219 Hoyt Hall). There is a “sitting fee” that also covers posting of any credits earned.

      IV.      Students who wish to study abroad as a part of their undergraduate experience, and    those who might apply for Fulbright Awards for post-baccalaureate work, should consider completing more than one year of language study. 
 

We encourage students with high school foreign language courses to take the Language Placement Exam while the language is still fresh for you–you may be able to earn credit for your knowledge and place into the next appropriate course.