Language Requirement FAQ

Learn more about each of our programs:

• Questions about the Language Requirement

  Why is there a language graduation requirement?

  The world languages graduation requirement is part of WPU’s mission to graduate students who embody “active involvement in a multicultural world.”

  What is the WPUNJ Language Graduation Requirement?

  You will be required to complete 2 (two), 1 (one) or 0 (zero) semesters of world language at WPU depending on your language placement level.

  For how many semesters I will need to take language courses?

  It depends on your prior language knowledge. If you have credentials of your language skills, you may be exempt from the language requirement.

  If you take the placement test:

  -Score at the 1100 level or below (no prior knowledge or study of language): complete two semesters of language: 1100 (Language Basic I) and 1110 (Language Basic II)

  - Score at the 1110 (Language Basic II) level: complete one semester of the language in which you tested: 1110 (Language Basic II).

  - Score at the 2100 (Language Intermediate I) or 2110 (Language Intermediate II) level or above: Congratulations! – you have fulfilled your graduation requirement. We encourage you to take an additional language course, to maintain and increase your skills, which are highly valued in many fields and jobs.

  See this infographic for more information

  Which languages can I study at WPU to satisfy the language requirement?

  Typically, the Department of Language, Literature, Culture and Writing offers several languages each semester. These include the more commonly taught languages such as French, Italian and Spanish, as well as less commonly taught ones such as Arabic, Japanese, Korean and Latin. For the latest listing, please consult the current semester’s course offerings in WPConnect.

  Is American Sign Language (ASL) accepted in fulfillment of the Language Requirement?

  Yes, it is. Taking ASL courses (SLP 3670 & SLP 3700) will meet the university language graduation requirement.
• Questions about the Language Placement Test

  Do I need to take a Language Placement Test?

  If you are starting with a new language, you don’t need to take the placement test. You can directly register for the Basic I level (1100). The system won’t allow you to register for Basic II (1110) or above unless you have taken the placement test.

  How do I test my language level?

  Take a placement test in the world language at WPUNJ. Students take the language test if they have knowledge of language for various reasons: family heritage, personal life circumstances, or previous study in middle or high school. Your score on this test will determine your language placement level.

  What is this language placement test? What languages can I test for?

  It is a computerized test that takes about 10 -15 minutes to complete. WPUNJ offers placement tests in Albanian, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. You need an appointment to take the test. For an appointment or questions contact lc-placement@wpunj.edu

  How do I prepare for the placement test?

  You don’t! The placement test is not a judgement of performance, but an assessment of your current level. It is a tool that helps the Department place you in the course that is right for you.

  Where can my Advisor find my language placement score?

  Advisors can access language placement results through the student information page (“View Test and Placement Scores”) in WPConnect. The level you are placed in is clearly indicated.
• Questions about Language Study at WPUNJ

  What if don’t feel confident being in the language level I’m placed in?

  It happens. You have two options.

  Option 1: You may take a lower–level course as a refresher course. For example, you place into the 1110 level but would like to take the 1100 level instead. You will earn free elective credit for the lower course, but not graduation credit. You must still complete the additional course at the 1110 level.

  Option 2: You may take the course you have been placed into and use tutoring support which is available at the Academic Success Center. This Center is open for extended in-person and virtual hours and its well qualified staff offers tutoring assistance free of charge in many languages.

  When should I take the language courses?

  We advise students to complete your language graduation requirement as early as possible in your academic career. If you are required to take 2 semesters of language courses, you should take them one after another, in two consecutive semesters.

  Where can my Advisor find my language placement score?

  Advisors can access language placement results through the student information page (“View Test and Placement Scores”) in WPConnect. The level you are placed in is clearly indicated.
• Other Language Placement and Transfer Credit Questions

  What credentials will earn me language credits?

  If you have any of the following credentials, you can receive credits for them:

  - AP: World Languages and Cultures

  - NJ Seal of Biliteracy

  - CLEP: Language

  - CLEP: Spanish and Writing

  - International Baccalaureate: Language Acquisition

  You can find more information here: Credit Equivalencies

  Can I get Advanced Placement (AP) Credit towards the Language Requirement?

  Yes, depending on your score you can receive up to 9 credits. You can find information on equivalences for AP here: https://www.wpunj.edu/admissions/undergraduate/accepted-students/advanced-placement-information

  Can I transfer in language credit(s) from my previous academic institution?

  You may transfer in language classes taken elsewhere as long as you have earned a “C” grade or better AND if you have not yet transferred in 70 credits from a community college or 90 credits from a four-year university.

  If you have already transferred in the maximum number of credits, the WPU language requirement will be waived but you will not receive transfer credits for these courses.

  What about CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) Credits?

  You may transfer CLEP language credits. You can find more information here: Credit Equivalencies
  

  Can you explain Challenge Exams?

  - Challenge exams allow students to earn credit based on their language skills: 3 or 6 credits depending on the level.

  - You may take the test up to your last semester. We strongly advise you to take this exam as soon as possible. You have only one chance to take the Challenge Exam. If you do not pass, you will be required to take the necessary credits to fulfill the graduation credit requirement (and the language requirement, if applicable).

  - The Department of Language, Literature, Culture and Writing administers challenge exams for: Albanian, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. Please contact lc-placement@wpunj.edu for more information.

  - For languages not offered at WPU, you can take the NYU or the BYU challenge exam. These exams can be taken remotely. You are responsible for paying the NYU or BYU fees for the exam.

  Please contact lc-placement@wpunj.edu for more information.

  Click here for more information about challenge exams
  

  Who can I contact for help if I still have questions?

  Sara Almuina-Viz, World Languages Coordinator:lc-placement@wpunj.edu