Looking for information on the foreign language requirement for undergraduate degrees from SFS. How many semesters are required, and how is proficiency determined?
Proficiency in a foreign language is required for graduation. How long it takes depends on how advanced the student is in the language already. If you’re starting from scratch, I think it’s around 3 years (6 semesters of classes) for proficiency? The test itself is through an article in that language. You read it, and then answer questions and discuss it. You have 20 minutes to read the article, I think? I’m taking my proficiency at the end of this summer for French, but I think it’s a similar process across the board. The individual departments will have more information on the test. What language are you looking for?
Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service is a great school.
Which other universities have competing or similar programs ?
High school language was Spanish. Ended at Spanish 3. My son is interested in the International Political Economy major.
@VAMom23 I’m not sure what level Spanish 3 was, but I’ll assume it’s 1 level below AP? In that case, your son probably starts out around Intermediate II, so he can take the proficiency test after 3 classes (Intermediate II, Advanced I, Advanced II). Here’s more information on the Spanish test: https://spanport.georgetown.edu/undergraduate/General-Information
As an IPE major, being done with the language requirement by sophomore year would be helpful since it would allow him to focus on major-specific classes, but it’s not uncommon to get proficiency through summer/semester abroads as well, if that’s what he’s interested in.
@masquerade98 Thank you. This is very helpful.