World Languages & Cultures

Language Requirement

Language Requirement Flow Chart

Acronyms

HS = High School
FL = Foreign Languages
TRN = Transfer Credit

*Language is a UNC system requirement.

Language (3-9 hours):

Required: Proficiency through the 201 level in a language previously studied, or the 102 level in a "second" language not previously studied.

Students will demonstrate proficiency by completing a course at 201 level or higher in a language previously studied depending on placement, or through the 102 level in a language not previously studied.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

In regards to the language requirement, no disability-related documentation should be sent to, nor will be accepted by, the World Languages & Cultures department Chairperson or staff. Instead, the students are directed to speak with a staff member at the Disability Resource Center (DRC).

Students with documented disabilities through the DRC for whom language learning is not possible are directed to contact the Associate Chair of World Languages and Cultures, Dr. Greta Bliss.  For inquiries during Summer months, please contact Dr. Derrick Miller, Chair of World Languages and Cultures.

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS: University Studies is required

  • First-year students wishing to continue in the language, for which they have two or more units in high school, must use the placement tool.
    • Student placing into 102 or 120 will need to complete the sequence through 201 with passing grades to satisfy the requirement.
    • Student placing into 201 or above will need to pass the class to satisfy the world language requirement.
  • First-year students wishing to study another language other than the one for which they have two or more units of in HS and for which they have no previous instruction, but wishes to go into different language with no previous instruction must complete 102 the sequence through 102 with passing grades in order to satisfy the WL requirement.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

  • If a transfer student has had two or more units of a language in HS, with no transferring college credit in that language, and they wish to continue with the language they took in HS, the student must take the placement tool:
    • If the student places into 120 or 102 (and passes), the student will also need to take 201 (and passes) to satisfy the requirements.
    • If the student places into 201 or above (and passes), the language requirement will be satisfied.
  • If the transfer student transfers a college Language course from the same language taken in high school, then the student can enroll in the next level course at UNCW until the 201 level is completed successfully.
  • If the transfer student transfers a college Language course from the same language taken in high school at the equivalent of our 201 level, then the requirement is satisfied.
  • If the transfer student transfers a college Language course from a language different than taken in high school, then the student can satisfy the language requirement if they transferred in the equivalent of the 102 level. If the student has only transferred in a 101 level language course, they must take 102 here at UNCW to complete this particular requirement.
  • If the transfer student has had no language at all in HS or with one year or less of HS instruction, and no transfer credit, the student must enroll into 101 level in any language and proceed until the 201 level is passed and completed, which will then satisfy the language requirement. (Please make sure the language here at UNCW has the option of 201 before choosing a language track.)
  • If the transfer student has had no language at all in HS or with one year or less of HS instruction, and has had a language at another college or university, and wishes to change to a different language, they must enroll into 101 level and proceed until the 201 level is passed and completed, which will then satisfy the WLC requirement. (Please make sure the language here at UNCW has the option of 201 before choosing a language track.)

STUDENTS WHO HAVE GRADUATED 7+ YEARS PRIOR TO MATRICULATION AT UNCW

Students are required to demonstrate proficiency through at least the Intermediate I level by completing a course at the 201 level or higher in a language they have studied previously through the language placement test. If a student begins a language not previously studied, they are required to attain the 102 level in that second language. Most students continuing in the language studied in high school will likely take 3-6 hours from this component. Students who graduated high school more than 7 years prior to matriculation at UNCW are required to demonstrate proficiency at or above the Beginner II level by completing a course at the 102 or 120 level in any language, or by completing a higher level based on a language placement test score. Any student with sufficient background may elect to fulfill the language requirement by CLEP examination, which can provide academic credit at the 201 level or above.

Advice for Students in Regards to WLC Requirements

  • All: It is important that you pull your degree audit frequently to double check that your WLC requirements are cleared.
  • All: Students with no HS language at all must complete up to the 201 level in any language that they chose to study here at UNCW. Please make sure that the language you pick has courses that reach the 201 level before settling on a language track.
  • Seniors: Be cautious that if you need to complete up to the 201 level in a language previously studied, or need to complete 101+102 in a second language previously not studied, that you have planned your academic schedule to accommodate these courses before graduation.

For language-specific questions about the World Language Requirement, please contact the Section Coordinator:
Spanish: Ms. Marianella Jara (100-200 level courses)
French: Dr. David Spieser-Landes
German: Dr. Olga Trokhimenko
Latin : Dr. David Hoot

Other WL-related questions may be directed to:
WLC Associate Chair: Dr. Greta Bliss
WLC Chair [Summer Hours] Dr. Derrick Miller