WKU Colonnade Program

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World Language Proficiency

All entering students must demonstrate proficiency in a world language at the Novice High level before completing 60 credit hours. Novice High is the ability to communicate in writing and speaking on familiar topics in simple sentences. To meet this requirement, students can do one of the following:

1. All degree-seeking students with two credits (or equivalent) of high school world language are considered to have fulfilled the world language proficiency requirement at WKU. A high school transcript is required to verify coursework.
2. Enroll in a new language not previously studied and complete the language course at the 101 and 102-level (or higher, excluding SPAN 200 and SPAN 105 courses of any language prefix) with a grade of C or better. Language options include Arabic (ARBC), Chinese (CHIN), French (FREN), German (GERM), Italian (ITAL), Japanese (JAPN), Korean (KORE), Russian (RUSS), Spanish (SPAN), or Swahili (SWAH). The following languages offered outside the Modern Languages Department also fulfill this requirement: American Sign Language (ASL 102 or higher), Chinese Flagship (CHNF 101 or higher), Greek (RELS 155/BLNG 155), Hebrew (RELS 153/BLNG 153), Latin (RELS 151), and Pali II (RELS 157).
3. Continue a language taken previously and complete the 102-level of the language with a grade of C or better. See the list of courses mentioned above, the course descriptions in the back of this catalog, or the website for a comprehensive listing (which includes newly approved courses):  http://www.wku.edu/colonnade/.
4. Successfully complete a proficiency test; such as the AP, CLEP, IB, AAPPL, Avant STAMP, BYU FLATS, or departmental exam. Information on the AP, CLEP, IB, and departmental exams are available in the “Credit by Exam” section of the undergraduate catalog. The AAPPL, Avant STAMP, and BYU FLATS information is found on the http://www.wku.edu/colonnade site.

For more information about the World Language Proficiency Requirement, visit http://www.wku.edu/modernlanguages/placement/.

The general education world language requirements will be waived for students whose first language is not English. To demonstrate non-English proficiency students can  do one of the following:

1. International students from non-English speaking countries can receive the waiver from the International Student Office (request at: https://www.wku.edu/international/istart_help.php).
2. Domestic students, and international students from English speaking countries, have several options to demonstrate proficiency in language other than English:

• Successfully complete one of the proficiency exams mentioned above (#3).
• Provide evidence of the completion of the 8th grade, or equivalent, or higher in which the primary language of instruction was not English.
• Other documentation (tests, diplomas, other official documents) that demonstrate language abilities.

NOTE: These forms may be useful:

• World Language Requirement Waiver - For Baccalaureate Degree-Seeking Students, First Language is not English
• AAPPL, STAMP & BYU FLATS Vertification Form

 

World Language for Returning Students

Students who begin their college career as degree-seeking students during the 2004 summer term and thereafter will be required to take the second semester level or higher  foreign language course.

Students who begin their college career as degree-seeking students before the 2004 summer term are required to take one level of foreign language.

 

The revised Kentucky General Education Transfer Policy (2012) outlines the purpose and guidelines for the transfer of general education across Kentucky’s public postsecondary institutions. WKU supports the policy. For more details see: http://cpe.ky.gov/policies/. In accordance with KRS 164.2951 an appeal process regarding statewide general education transfer credit  is available.

The transfer credit petition can be found  here: https://www.wku.edu/transfer/transferpetition.php and more details on the transfer appeal process can  be found here: https://cpe.ky.gov/policies/academicaffairs/transferappealsprocess.pdf