Requirements

How Do I Fulfill My Language Requirements?

• Sit for a Language Exam. Four times a year, the department offers translation exams. You will receive notification of these dates by email. You can also check this website. You may bring a dictionary. You’ll receive a theological text to translate within a certain time span. For certain exams, you might also need to answer comprehension questions related to the text. 

• Take a Graduate-Level Language Course at Fordham (French, German, Spanish, Aramaic). You must take the course for a letter grade and let the instructor know that you are taking the course to fulfill a language requirement. You need at least a B+ in the course to demonstrate proficiency. The following courses offered during the year or summer qualify:

  • FREN 5090 or 5001 (French for Reading) 

  • GERM 5002 (German, the second course of a two- semester sequence). Note that this course has a prerequisite, GERM 5001, from which you need a passing grade or an exemption from the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies 

  • SPAN 5090 (Spanish for Reading) 

  • A tutorial in Aramaic with a faculty member (ancient track)

• Take a Graduate-Level Course at Another Institution. After you’re admitted to Fordham, you can take a language course for credit at another institution to count toward your requirements. This coursework may be completed during the spring or summer prior to matriculation or while enrolled at Fordham. 

• Sit for an oral conversation/evaluation with someone who can certify proficiency.

Logistics

• Passages for translation in modern language exams will be between five hundred and six hundred words long. Passages for translation in ancient language exams vary based on difficulty. A hard copy dictionary may be used but no electronic devices or online sources.

• Two examiners will review the translation and designate a pass or no-pass.

• Translations that are of exceptional quality and accuracy but are not wholly complete (the student did not reach the end of the passage in the three hour allotted time) can, at the discretion of the examiners, still receive the grade of Pass.   

• Language exams will be administered four times a year, in August, November, February, and April. 

• You can take the exam as many times as you would like; a no-pass is not a strike against you in any way, but should be seen as a diagnostic going forward.

Upcoming Exam Dates: AY 2026–27

Language Examinations: French, German, Spanish, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, etc.

For 2026-2027 language exams and orientations: Here are the dates:

• Monday, August 24th 9-12 Language exams; 1-3 for new student orientation

• Tuesday, August 25th 9-12 Language exams; 1-2pm for returning student orientation

• Wednesday, December 2 Language exams; 11:45-2:45pm

• Wednesday, February 10 Language exams: 11:45-2:45pm

• Wednesday, April 21 Language exams; 11:45-2:45pm