Language Requirement for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must demonstrate the equivalent of two years of sequential college-level study in one foreign language for graduation from Taylor University. Taylor offers language instruction in French, Spanish, New Testament Greek, and Old Testament Hebrew.
Language courses required for the BA degree must be completed for a grade and are not eligible for the pass/fail option or audit credit.
French and Spanish
Students who have had one or more years of high school French or Spanish and intend to continue in the respective language must take the departmental placement test. Students will place into a language class at the level indicated by the test.
Students with no previous high school French or Spanish language experience do not need to be tested and should begin their language study with the appropriate 101-level course. Registrar permission is required for course registration.
Students who have transferred in French or Spanish college credit are not required to take the placement test and should continue with the next sequential course.
Students who place into French or Spanish 202 may receive credit for 201 by taking and successfully completing 202 with a minimum grade of B-. The fee for posting credit to the transcript should be paid at the time of notification.
Students who place beyond 202 have various options:
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To fulfill the language proficiency requirement and receive no credit, students need not take any additional language course.
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To fulfill the language requirement and receive six hours of credit for 201 and 202, students may take the CLEP exam by the end of their first year at Taylor. If the student passes the exam, the fee for posting credit to the transcript should be paid at the time of notification.
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To fulfill the language requirement and receive six hours of credit for 201 and 202, students may take and successfully complete an advanced Taylor course in the language with a minimum grade of B-. The fee for posting credit to the transcript should be paid at the time of notification.
Students who take and pass the AP exam in French or Spanish with a score of 4 will have met the language proficiency for the BA degree and may receive credit for 201 and 202. The fee for posting credit to the transcript should be paid at the time of notification. These exams must be taken prior to enrollment at Taylor.
Greek and Hebrew
Placement exams for New Testament and Old Testament Hebrew are currently not available. Students interested in completing Greek or Hebrew to meet the language requirement for the BA degree should contact the Biblical Studies, Philosophy, and Christian Educational Ministries department for details.
It is recommended that students with no previous study in Greek or Hebrew attain sophomore status before enrolling in Greek or Hebrew.
Chinese, German, Italian, and Japanese AP Exams
AP exams are offered in Chinese, German, Italian, and Japanese. Any student scoring a 4 for these languages will have met the language proficiency for the BA degree. No credits will be given for these languages. If a student scores below 4 and wishes to pursue one of these language options, the student must meet with the Modern Languages Department Chair. Any approved arrangement for meeting proficiency must be through a regionally accredited U.S. college or university and would not include transfer of credits from those institutions. Since AP is for high school students, these exams must be taken prior to enrollment at Taylor.
Russian and Other Languages
For Russian and other languages not administered by AP, the student must meet with the Modern Languages Department Chair. Any approved arrangement for meeting proficiency must be through a regionally accredited U.S. College or university and would not include transfer of credits from those institutions.
American Sign Language
American Sign Language is not approved as an alternative language option and does not meet the BA language requirement.
For additional information, contact Dr. Dan Treber, modern languages department chair, at (765) 998-5249 or e-mail dntreber@taylor.edu.
