Students at UNCW are encouraged to gain understanding about University Studies -- the liberal education core of every UNCW degree.
This website provides information to increase students' knowledge of University Studies and specific course requirements. Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisors with specific questions; however, students may find the answers they need here.
Use one of the two ways below to find out your academic advisor, who is typically assigned after your Orientation session. If you have declared your major, contact your major department to find out who your advisor is. Otherwise, contact University College at 910.962.3245 or uc@uncw.edu if you have not yet declared your major.
Students who meet any of the following conditions will be waived from the UNI 101 requirement:
University Studies requires a student obtain proficiency through the 201-level in a language previously studied or the 102-level in a second foreign language not previously studied. Students will demonstrate proficiency by completing a course at the 201-level or higher in a language previously studied or at the 102-level in a second foreign language. Waivers may apply - please review the UNCW Catalogue and see below.
Students who have taken French, German, Latin, or Spanish in high school or students who grew up in a French, German, or Spanish-speaking home, must take a placement exam in that language if they wish to continue in that language.
Placement in American Sign Language, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, or Russian is done through consultation with the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Students who have studied in a language other than those offered at UNCW may enroll in the beginning level of any class without taking a placement exam.
Students who complete (with a grade of "C" or better) a French, German, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, or Spanish course numbered 201 or higher (excluding 209, 210, 211, and 212) and who have received no AP credit, transfer credit, and no prior credit at UNCW in that language, shall be granted supplemental credit as follows:
This credit may be used to fulfill University Studies requirements.
Students with previous foreign language credit through AP, CLEP, or Transfer, may choose to take the UNCW placement exam for their respective language if they feel they can perform at a higher level than the courses that they are transferring.
If a student has successfully completed or is registered in a 200-level course (excluding literature and culture classes taught in English), she or he may not take for credit (either concurrently or subsequently) a 100-level course in the same language.
If a student has successfully completed or is registered in a 300- or 400- level course, she or he may not take for credit (either concurrently or subsequently) a 100-level course or a course numbered 201 or 202 in the same language. Exceptions to this rule may be granted under special circumstances and with special permission from the instructor of the course(s) and the department chair.
Students who prefer to waive the language requirement rather than take a 300-level course and receive supplemental credit must demonstrate written-language proficiency. Students should make an appointment for the waiver examination and subsequent assessment with the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures. This waiver does not grant academic credit.
For more information regarding the Foreign Language Requirement, contact Dr. Derrick Miller, at 910.962.4095 or millerd@uncw.edu.
Questions? Please contact Dr. Don Bushman at bushmand@uncw.edu.