Languages

Course Search Tips

• For the most current list of languages offered and placement information, visit the Second Language page from the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

• You can use Schedule Builder to search for a specific language.

• Reminder: Always check with your high school counselor to see which PSEO courses your high school will accept for each graduation requirement. (4 college credits is equivalent to one year of high school instruction in a subject area.)

Placement Information

Prior Credit That Bypasses Placement

• Check Schedule Builder course descriptions to see most prerequisites.

• AP scores: Most AP language tests do not grant placement.

• Minnesota Language Proficiency Assessments: Gold or platinum bilingual seals accepted to access third-year language courses. See the "Course Exceptions" Language section for details.

Which Placement Test Should I Take?

No prior language study: No placement test needed to take the first beginner course (e.g. SPAN 1001, JPN 1011).

1-2 years high school language study completed

• • French, German, Spanish: No placement test needed. Follow course placement procedures.

  • Other languages than above: Contact the appropriate department or Google "UMN [language] placement" for placement information.

3-4 years high school language study completed

• • French, German, Hindi, Somali, Spanish, Urdu: Take the online Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT), divided among three 50-minute sections. Check the Language Testing Center website for course placement within ten business days.

  • Other languages: Contact the appropriate department or Google "UMN [language] placement" for placement information.

5+ years intensive, pre-university language study OR completed fourth-semester college language course (including a College in the Schools [CIS] 1004 course)

• • Most languages: Take the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE). This four part, 3-4 hour test is not often offered, so check here for when to register for and take the LPE.

  • Other languages than above: Contact the appropriate department or Google "UMN [language] placement" for placement information.

  • If you are unsure whether you're prepared for the LPE, start with the EPT and see if it feels too easy.

  • PSEO students should not take  the "LPE screening test."

Course Availability & Information

Course Sequences

• Most beginning language sequences consist of 4 semesters (2 years) prior to advanced courses. 

• Many languages offer the first semester of instruction only in the fall semester, and the second semester of instruction in the spring. Even though the title of the second semester may include “Beginning,” second semester courses generally require a passing grade in the first semester course or equivalent placement.

• The third and fourth semesters of languages generally work in the same manner and are considered “Intermediate” level language classes. 

• Most “Intermediate” language classes are still in the 1xxx level (e.g. Ger 1003), but some may be in the 3xxx level (e.g. ASL 3703).

Online Language Courses

Often limited availability. You can use Schedule Builder to search for a specific delivery format (online).

LANG Courses

• LANG courses through CLA CourseShare are not open to PSEO students

Find a course that you want to take but the section you are interested in is full or wait listed? Check out the Getting Into Closed Courses page to learn how to get into closed courses.