BASIC RULE: A student who wishes to take a language which the student previously studied in high school or learned as a youth MUST take a Quinnipiac foreign language placement test in that language. Languages tested are Spanish, French, Italian and German.
What if the student just signs up for the course without the placement test?
The modern language department will remove the student from the course.
What do the results of the placement test mean?
CC: The student must take the course listed as the placement result. For example, if a student’s placement is SP 102, the student should sign up to take Spanish 102.
UC: If you decide to study the same language you took in high school, please take the course listed next to your placement number below:
Spanish 6 – Placement in SP 301
Spanish 4 – Placement in SP 201
Spanish 2 – Placement in SP 102
Spanish 1 – Placement in SP 101
French 6 – Placement in FR 301
French 4 – Placement in FR 201
French 2 – Placement in FR 102
French 1 – Placement in FR 101
Italian 6 – Placement in IT 301
Italian 4 – Placement in IT 201
Italian 2 – Placement in IT 102
Italian 1 – Placement in IT 101
German 6 – Placement in GR 301
German 4 – Placement in GR 201
German 2 – Placement in GR 102
German 1 – Placement in GR 101
Do students get credit when placing out of a language course?
No, a successful placement test merely provides exemption.
How is the foreign language placement determined?
There are two factors: the placement test results and the high school record. In most cases the placement test results determine the student’s placement. However, if a student has taken three or more years of Spanish, French, Italian or German in high school and has received B or higher in three of the years, the student is precluded from the 101 level of the language and may not take the 101 level for credit (regardless of the test results). Students who have been successful in high school language are ready for the 102 level academically. Please let these students know that after the first few weeks, they will remember the language and do well. (Note that students with three or more years of high school language may well place above the 102 level. In that case the placement determines their level.)
What are the alternatives for a student who wants to start at the 101 level, but is precluded based on high school grades?
The student is welcome to start studying a new language at the 101 level. However, for students in the College of Arts and Sciences that will mean taking two semesters of the new language (101 and 102) rather than one semester of the language previously studied (102). Languages taught at Quinnipiac are Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.
Must an Arts and Sciences, Health Science or Business student who places in 201, 202 or 301 take the foreign language course?
No, but she may elect to do so for her own academic goals/interests. But, communications majors must take two semesters of a language. See the comment for each school.
What are the requirements for students in the School of Business and the School of Health Science?
A student in these schools is not required to take any foreign language, unless the student is majoring in International Business. We offer minors in Spanish and French for those interested in continuing in a foreign language. A double major in Spanish will sometimes work out well. Basic literacy in another language can be a valuable tool in the workplace.
What are the requirements for students in the College of Arts and Sciences?
Student majoring in the arts and sciences must complete or test out of a language at the 102 level. We offer minors in Spanish and French for those interested in continuing in a foreign language. A student may choose to major in Spanish.
What are the requirements for students in the School of Communications?
Students in Communications must complete two semesters of a foreign language. We offer minors in Spanish and French for those interested in continuing in a foreign language. A double major in Spanish will sometimes work out well. Students should see an adviser in Communications about this requirement.