College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students must demonstrate proficiency in a second language at the second semester college level prior to graduation. This is accomplished through course work, by examination, or through documented evidence that the student has attained the equivalent proficiency in a language other than English. Students using high school credit to satisfy the proficiency requirement at CU Denver must have received a grade of C- (1.7) or higher in the final semester of the second-year course. Students using college-level transfer credit or coursework at CU Denver to satisfy the proficiency requirement must receive a grade of C- (1.7) or better in the second-semester college-level course. There is no pass/fail option for any course taken for the foreign language requirement.
Student Placement in Lower-Division Language Courses
High School Background:
Course Number/Level to Take:
No language courses or background
1010
One year of high school
1020
Two years of high school
2110
Three years of high school
2120
Four years of high school
Upper-division courses
NOTE: High school programs vary substantially, and the above levels may not be appropriate for all students. Departmental advisors will be happy to speak with any student who feels unsure about his or her placement (303-315-7234).
Prior College Courses
Students wishing to enroll in a lower-division course that does not directly follow their last completed college course in the regular sequence should consult with an appropriate faculty member of the Department of Modern Languages prior to enrollment, 303-315-7234.
Proficiency Testing
Students who have achieved some proficiency in a foreign language through other means than academic courses should also consult with an appropriate faculty member of the Department of Modern Languages prior to enrollment. This is especially important for native and heritage speakers. Students may also show their level of proficiency by taking a computerized placement/proficiency exam in French, German or Spanish can call the Department of Modern Languages at 303-315-7234 to schedule an exam. Students may take an exam only once per semester.
Students seeking to take a proficiency exam for a language other than French, German or Spanish must satisfactorily pass the Brigham Young University Foreign Language Achievement test for that language. Tests cost between $50-$75 and are administered online by a certified proctor. Please contact CLAS Advising at (303)315-7100 or clas_advising@ucdenver.edu with any questions about BYU Foreign Language Achievement testing.
Earned Credit (AP, IB) and CLEP tests
Please see the Modern Languages departmental web page or course catalog for course equivalencies on AP, IB or CLEP exams.