All BA students are encouraged to take a placement test in foreign language. Students who take the placement test will receive bypass credit but not grades for any lower numbered courses upon satisfactory completion of the course recommended by the placement test, as follows:
- If placed into 1002, upon passing 1002, 3sh non-grade credit is awarded for 1001
- If placed into 1003, upon passing 1003, 6sh non-grade credit is awarded for 1001-1002
- If placed into 1004, upon passing 1004, 9sh non-grade credit is awarded for 1001-1003
- If placed above 1004, upon passing the higher course, 12 sh non-grade credit is awarded for 1001-1004
Students who disagree with the course suggested by the placement test may ask to be placed one level lower or one level higher with the permission of the department chair. Entering students who plan to continue language study are strongly advised to do so as soon as possible after admission.
Students with college bypass credit, regular college credit (including those who have previously taken coursework in that language at ECU), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or CLEP credit in a particular foreign language from another institution are not eligible to take the placement test in that language. Students who wish to study a different language from the one studied in high school may earn credit beginning with level 1001.
Foreign students are not eligible to take the placement test in their native language or receive bypass credit for basic elementary and intermediate level courses in that language. They are encouraged to take advanced courses in their native language. When English is a second language, the department chair, if satisfied, may recommend that it be allowed to substitute for the foreign language requirement, although without credit (the 12 sh required for graduation must be made up with electives).
Admissions information on AP, IB, and CLEP credit