The College of Arts and Sciences believes that proficiency in a second language provides insight into other cultures, enables direct contact with literature and other written and oral texts, and combined with other fields of study, serves a multitude of practical and professional purposes. It sharpens skills in one’s first language, and it develops critical thinking and understanding needed for life in multicultural and multilingual societies in the US and elsewhere.

There are many different ways to meet the language requirement:

Complete a CAS language course numbered 212 (or equivalent)

• Students may take language courses in the College of Arts & Sciences. To meet the language requirement you must complete or receive credit for language courses numbered 212. Some languages, such as Chinese and Korean, have a heritage-speaker track which provides a second pathway to meeting  the requirement.

Complete 4th-semester American Sign Language through Wheelock College

• American Sign Language may also be taken to complete the language requirement. The course sequence is SED DE 381, 382, 383, 384. If you have prior experience in ASL, please contact Program Director Andrew Bottoms (anbo@bu.edu) regarding a placement test. Please visit the Deaf Studies' webpage for more information.

Score a 4 or higher on an AP foreign language test prior to coming to BU

Receive credit for L_212 or higher via transfer credit

• Transfer students may use their transfer credits for the equivalent of a 4th-semester (L_212) course (or higher) in a language offered at BU to meet the language requirement.

If you are registered in the College of Communications (COM) or School of Hospitality Administration (SHA), then yes you do. However, COM and SHA approach the language requirement slightly differently. Please contact the appropriate advising office for more information: 

COM Advising

SHA Advising

As a native speaker of another language you can test out of the language requirement by taking a proficiency test (not the same as a placement test). Please contact CAS Advising and specify the language in which you would like to be tested.  Proficiency testing will recommence in the Fall.

Students who submitted the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),  International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET) as part of their application to BU have fulfilled their Second Language Requirement and no additional action is required.

That said, many of our bilingual and/or international students enjoy adding another language to their repertoire. Perhaps there is a language we offer that you will find useful and/or fun.

Click on your language and scroll down for information on how to take the placement test. These tests are not prescriptive but will give you an idea of where to enroll. Once classes begin you may consult with your instructor regarding moving up or down a level. 

And, no, as a CAS student you can't meet the language requirement using a placement test. Should you place into L_212 or higher, you should complete the course you tested into in order to meet the language requirement.

AP Credits IB Credits

Click on the appropriate link to see the course(s) for which you will receive credit and enroll for the next course up. If, during the first week of class, you find that course too challenging or too easy, speak to your instructor about moving up or down a level.

Not at this time. But, if you took higher level IB or AP language exams to qualify, then you may well  receive credit for certain courses. See above.

All of the languages listed above are offered at BU. Take a few minutes to click on a few languages and explore your options, then ask yourself these questions:

• Which language would be an asset to my major or future profession? 

Not sure? Click on the image below.

• Would I be more comfortable with a spoken or a written language? 

If you gravitate toward the latter, consider taking Latin or Ancient Greek.

• Would extra funding be an advantage? 

FLAS Fellowships are available to US citizens and permanent residents who study African Language and Area Studies or Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies

• Would I do better in a larger class (10-18 students) or a small class (fewer than 10 students)? 

A number of our less commonly taught languages tend to have smaller classes where you will have more direct interaction with your professor and fellow students. Languages like Persian, Russian, Turkish or the African Languages would meet your needs.

Look to see if there is an X1 section available for that course and register for that. The X section is, essentially, a waitlist. The College of Arts and Sciences keeps a very close eye on these and will reach out to you if a new section opens up.

On the off-chance that your preferred language does not have an X section, email the person listed as the contact for that language.