Language Requirement

SATISFYING THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT IN SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN CULTURES

The Barnard language requirement is two courses at any level, without exception. Students cannot be exempt from the language requirement. They must either take two additional courses in a language other than English in which they already have elementary, intermediate or higher proficiency, or begin a new (third, fourth) language. The Spanish Language Program at Barnard requires all students to take the placement exam before registering for a Spanish course, regardless of previous level of instruction. They may take this exam online at myBarnard anytime.

Students  (including transfers) entering in Fall 2016 and thereafter with AP, SAT, IB (Higher Level only) or DELE credentials must also take the placement exam and register in a course accordingly. In addition to regular credit for the course they placed in and complete at elementary, intermediate or bridge level, students with AP (5) or IB (Higher Level 6 or 7) scores will receive extra college credit points upon completion of SPAN UN3300: Advanced Spanish through Content, or other bridge/upper-level course (with Language Program Director approval) with a B+ or higher (in addition to credit for that course). Please see Frequently Asked Questions for further information.

If study abroad is in your plans, please keep in mind that almost all study abroad programs conducting instruction in Spanish require at least four semesters of study for admission. Most Barnard-approved programs—academically pre-vetted for smooth credit transfer—require at least a fifth-semester level of Spanish. For a list of Spanish study abroad programs approved by Barnard, click here.