A Guide for New Students

Language Requirement

All students must complete up to 6 credits (2 courses in one language) of foreign language as part of the Graduation Requirement within the Basic I to Intermediate II sequence (classes numbered 110, 111, 210, 211).  Students may be waived from the requirement if they place above the intermediate II level. Please refer to the department's webpage for current language offerings or view semester schedule in Banner under language name sought (http://www.wpunj.edu/cohss/language/). 

Students with prior school experience in their chosen language of study should take a language placement exam when they take the Math, Reading, and Writing placement tests. Students with prior experience in a chosen language will be placed through consideration of their test scores and high school transcript into a given level of the 110, 111, 210, 211 sequence. Students fulfill foreign language requirement upon completion of two semesters in one language from placement level or upon completion of or placement out of an Intermediate II (211) course.

Examples of language placement: Students who have studied a language for at least 2 years in high school may be placed into 111 of the same language and would complete the next semester (210) to satisfy their language requirement. Students who studied a language for 4 years in high school with a “B” or higher may be placed into the 210 level or higher. If students are placed directly into 211, they can complete their foreign language requirement with that course. If they are placed above the 211 level, their foreign language requirement is waived. Continued study beyond the 211 level will fulfill upper-level elective credit.

Students with no prior experience in a chosen language begin with 110 (Basic I) and fulfill their language requirement with the second semester 111 (Basic II) of that language (option of continued study of the language at the intermediate level will serve as elective credit).

Note: Students waived from languages courses by placement do not receive credit for those courses.

Alternative credit options:

1) AP credit for language exams: students with AP exam credit in foreign language may purchase 3 credits ($75.00 fee) and be placed into the next highest class to complete the requirement (111 for a score of 3; 210 for a score of 4; 211 for a score of 5).

2) CLEP credits are available for up to 6 credits of language work but may not necessarily fulfill the language requirement: a student’s language requirement is determined by placement exam and prior coursework. (Example: student who places into 211 can attempt CLEP credit for 110 and 111, but these credits will not fulfill requirement.)

3) Challenge credit for the intermediate level only can be earned for 210 or 211 through examination and fee and may apply toward language requirement. Challenge exams are available only prior to completion of 60 credits (or 90 credits for advanced standing transfer students).

Academic ESL Program

William Paterson University’s Academic English Program offers courses designed to improve the English reading and writing skills of students who are multilingual students from non-English language backgrounds. For this reason, students usually enroll in these courses during their first year. Students in the Academic English Program are matriculated at the University and may take additional courses. All Academic English courses earn graduation credits (free electives).
At William Paterson, Academic English reading and writing courses are offered at the intermediate (level 1) and advanced (level 2) levels. Placement is determined by student profile information, Accuplacer test results, and student essay. At each level (1 and 2), students enroll in a three-credit reading course and a three-credit writing course. An additional two-credit Writing Workshop serves Academic English students enrolled in English 110 (Writing Effective Prose).

Note: Students enrolled in Academic English courses do not take Basic Skills Reading and Writing classes. For more information, please contact Professor Gladys V. Scott, Director of Academic English, Atrium 251, phone: 973-720-3043; fax: 973- 720-3084; e-mail scottg@wpunj.edu.

The Department also offers majors and minors in Spanish, French & Francophone Studies, and Latin American Studies, and language and cultural studies courses for the Asian Studies Minor. Students wishing to start studying Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Hindi, Greek, Korean, and Russian are advised that the first course in those languages is offered only in Fall semesters.

The Department of Languages and Cultures supports student success in the study of foreign languages, world literatures and cultures. For information, contact Dr. Bruce Williams or Dr. Octavio de la Suaree at 973-720-2330