World Language skills are ensured by requiring that students pass either an approved WL3 (third-semester college-level) course in one world language or an approved WL2 (second-semester college-level) course in two world languages. Additionally, students may satisfy the World Langauge requirement by completing some other significant activity that requires world language proficiency, such as study abroad in a non-English environment or an internship serving people who can communicate only in a language other than English (a proficieny exam may be required after completing these experiences).
For information on how to fulfill the World Language requirement through study abroad, email International Education and Global Initiatives (IEGI) (phone: 607-777-2336).
Students may fulfill the world language requirement prior to enrolling in college by either:
- completing four or more units* of one high school world language with a course grade in the fourth unit of 85 or better;
- completing three units each of two high school languages (six units total) with course grades in each third unit of 85 or better;
- by passing the AP examination (or its equivalent) with a score of 3 or better; or,
- by demonstrating equivalent proficiency in some other fashion.
Exceptions
- The World Language requirement is waived for students in Watson College engineering programs.
- The World Language requirement for students in the Decker School of Nursing and Watson College computer science program is fulfilled by one approved college course in world language at any level. This requirement may also be fulfilled in high school by demonstrating a level of proficiency equivalent to completing three or more units of the same high school world language with a LOTE/Checkpoint B Examination score of 85 or better (or, for students who did not take the LOTE/Checkpoint B Examination, a course grade in the third unit of 85 or better).
- The World Language requirement for transfer students in the College of Community and Public Affairs, Harpur College, and the School of Management is fulfilled by an approved WL2 (second-semester college-level) course in world language. This requirement may also be fulfilled in high school by demonstrating a level of proficiency equivalent to completing three or more units of the same high school world language with a LOTE/Checkpoint B Examination score of 85 or better (or, for students who did not take the LOTE/Checkpoint B Examination, a course grade in the third unit of 85 or better).
Notes:
Students who have completed a fourth-level (fourth unit) high school language with a passing grade or third-level (third unit) high school language with a LOTE/Checkpoint B Examination score of 85 or better (or, for students who did not take the LOTE/Checkpoint B Examination, a course grade of 85 or better) are considered to have completed two semesters of a college-level language and can fulfill the requirement by completing either the WL3 course of that language or the WL2 course of a second language.
* One unit is normally equivalent to one year of content.
Proficiency Testing in World Language
Students may request a language proficiency test to waive their World Language requirement if they did not study the language in high school. Please contact Undergraduate Education to ensure you qualify and learn about next steps. You can find our World Langauge proficiency testing submission form .
Students Whose Native Language is Not English
Students whose native language is not English and heritage language speakers may be able to fulfill the World Language requirement by alternate means.
We waive student's WL requirement if they have:
- ESL/EML on their college transcript;
- required to take a TOEFL or similar test for admissions; or
- student came to the US after age 12 and all of their previous schooling was in another language.
For more information please email Undergraduate Education.