Placement, Waivers & Credit Based on Prior Learning

Augustana University’s General Education Curriculum requires that all Augustana students complete the second semester course (1102) of a language. Students may meet that requirement through placement and then taking one language course (1102 or higher) or two language courses (1101 and 1102). Some students may, alternatively, qualify for a waiver of this requirement (or otherwise meet it by equivalency).

Placement Via High School Classroom Experience

For students who have completed high-school coursework of French, Greek, Latin or Spanish, placement is determined as follows:

• Two years or less — place into 1101
• Three years — place into 1102
• Four years — place into 2103
• Five years or more — place into 2110 or higher, preferably 2120 or 2130
• Language Immersion school students — place into 2110 or higher, preferably 2120 or 2130

Students who have completed high-school coursework in ASL should contact Carmen Steen to arrange a placement interview. 

Students should note that they will not receive transcripted credit for courses that are “skipped” by placement. Students whose first language course at Augustana is higher than 1101 may, however, opt to purchase any “skipped” credits (thus earning credit for them and having them appear on their transcript). Students interested in pursuing this further should talk with the Registrar’s Office and may wish to consult with a language faculty member.

Placement Via AP Exam

Student with AP results who desire to continue studying the same language are automatically placed into the following courses:

• AP score of 2-3 — placement based on years of high school classroom experience; no credit awarded.
• AP Score of 4 — place into 2103; students automatically receive 6 credit hours for 1101 and 1102 and complete their General Education language requirement.
• AP Score of 5 — place into a 2110 or higher, preferably 2120 or 2130; students automatically receive 6 credit hours for 1101 and 1102 and complete their General Education language requirement.

Language Requirement Waiver

International students will coordinate with the International Programs Office regarding their waiver and/or completion of any language requirements. International students should contact the International Programs Office for more information.

Domestic students may demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English and satisfy the general education language requirement by one of the following options:

• enrolling in and completing a 11o2 or higher language course offered at Augustana;
• achieving a score of 4 or 5 on any AP non-English language exam; or
• achieving the appropriate STAMP score (as described below).

Presentation of an official Seal of Biliteracy that represents equivalency with ACTFL guidelines for Novice-High level of proficiency or higher, as determined by the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures.

Native or heritage speakers of Spanish or French with extensive background in the language:

• may satisfy the language requirement by achieving the appropriate STAMP score (as described below);
• those who have attended school in a French- or Spanish-speaking country for at least two years during K-12 may consider the language requirement fulfilled or may enroll in an intermediate- or upper-level language course in consultation with language faculty. Students placing into and completing 2103 or higher are eligible to purchase 6 transcripted credits for 1101 and 1102.
• Rather than seek a waiver, such students may opt to follow the guidelines for Placement Via High School Experience, when applicable, or may enroll in an intermediate or upper-level course in consultation with language faculty. Successful completion (C- or higher) of 2103 or higher in the chosen language satisfies the language requirement. Students placing into and completing 2103 or higher are eligible to purchase 6 transcripted credits for 1101 and 1102.

Waivers & Credits for STAMP Exams

Before considering a waiver of the language requirement, students with four years of high school French or Spanish are reminded that they may satisfy the language requirement by simply enrolling in and receiving a C- or better in 2103 or higher. Students are also reminded that a STAMP exam need not be taken if they intend to continue or begin study of a language. Students who would rather waive the language requirement with the option for earning transcripted credit must, instead, complete the STAMP exam and achieve the following scores (based on STAMP recommendations):

• A minimum score of 4 on any STAMP (4S or WS) exam completes the language requirement and grants credit for 1101 & 1102 (6 credits) as either FREN or SPAN (if taking the French or Spanish exam), or LALC credit (if taking the exam for any other language).

IMPORTANT | Students are responsible for scheduling, paying for, and ensuring that their score on the STAMP exam is reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Other Considerations & Situations

For situations in which a student is interested in credit for only the 1101 level, or for unusual or unique situations not considered above, the student should contact the chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures directly.

• Students coming to Augustana that have taken a French or Spanish CLEP exam should consult the Registrar’s Office.
• Students with questions regarding waivers and/or credits related to American Sign Language (ASL) should contact Carmen Steen.
• Students with questions regarding waivers and/or credits related to Latin should contact Dr. Rocki Wentzel.