Foreign Language Requirement

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:

For most languages taught at CCNY, the “language sequence” is comprised of 9 credits, or three semesters of study in the same language, usually numbered as: 123, 124, and 226. There are some exceptions, such as Spanish for Heritage Speakers, for which the language sequence is comprised of only 6 credits, or two semesters of study (193 and 194).

If you have studied a language before, for any length of time, take the placement exam in that language as soon as possible. Based on the score you receive on this exam you will be “placed” appropriately within the sequence. This score, in combination with the degree specifications spelled out below, will determine how many credits/semesters (if any) you need to take in a given language to complete the sequence and the requirement.

BA Students
Students pursuing a BA degree are required to complete up to 9 credits in a foreign language. You may be exempt from this requirement if:

a) you took 4 years of the same foreign language in high school
b) you scored a 4 or 5 on AP exam, or, 6 or 7 on an IB exam in a foreign language
c) you can demonstrate proficiency, defined as knowledge generally equivalent to three* semesters of language study at CCNY, by scoring at a certain level or above on our placement exam.

*as noted above, the Spanish for Heritage Speakers language sequence defines proficiency as two semesters of language study .

BFA or BMUS Students
Students pursuing a BFA or BMUS degree are required to complete up to 6 credits in a foreign language. You may be exempt from this requirement if:

a) you took 2 years of the same foreign language in high school
b) you scored a 4 or 5 on AP exam, or, 6 or 7 on an IB exam in a foreign language
c) you can demonstrate limited proficiency, defined as knowledge generally equivalent to two semesters of language study at CCNY, by scoring at a certain level or above on our placement exam.

BS Students
Students pursuing a BS degree are required to complete up to 6 credits in a foreign language. You may be exempt from this requirement if:

a) you took 2 years of the same foreign language in high school
b) you scored a 4 or 5 on AP exam, or, 6 or 7 on an IB exam in a foreign language
c) you can demonstrate limited proficiency, defined as knowledge generally equivalent to two semesters of language study at CCNY, by scoring at a certain level or above on our placement exam.

Requirements may vary for transfer students who have earned 31 or more credits at another institution or who have already earned an AA or other undergraduate degree. For specific information about how to fulfill your language requirement, please speak with an undergraduate advisor.