Language and intercultural communication are fundamental for meaningful, purpose-driven and compassionate engagement with the world, which is at the heart of our Jesuit values. Communicative and intercultural competence in a language other than English are also essential and sought after skills in our increasingly global, complex and dynamic workplaces. For this reason, the Core Second Language requirement ensures that SCU students can demonstrate linguistic and cultural proficiency in a language other than English. The level of proficiency required varies by major (see below for details), and satisfying the requirement can be easy, if you begin early. Follow the steps described below to complete this requirement. Begin your planning immediately upon entering SCU.
On this page you will find:
- Reasons why beginning your language requirement early is critical
- Steps for satisfying the language requirement
- Links to information on Placement and Proficiency Testing
Why should I not put it off?
If you start early, completing the language requirement is easy. But, the longer you wait to fulfill this requirement, the more difficult it can be: finding open classes, not having sufficient skills to enter and/or pass classes, etc. can complicate and lengthen the process and even delay your graduation.
Some sequenced courses are offered only in specific quarters (e.g. Level 1 in fall, Level 2 in winter, etc.). You can’t assume that a course you need will be offered exactly when you need it. Check the schedules and plan accordingly.
You may discover you want or need to achieve a higher level of proficiency than what the Core requires. If you begin early, you will have the opportunity to do this.
“Stuff happens.” If you don’t have a great quarter, you may need to repeat a course. This may mean summer school or waiting another year until the course is offered again. You never know, so don’t wait until senior year to find out.
How to satisfy your Core Second Language Requirement
2nd Language Requirement by major
- Majors in Business school or B.S. in Math or Natural Science
- demonstrate proficiency equivalent to Elementary Level 2 or higher
- All other College of Arts & Science and “Undeclared” majors
- demonstrate proficiency equivalent to Elementary Level 3 or higher
- College of Engineering
- 2 years high school language studies (credited upon entry to SCU)
NOTE: Those with a disability that severely affects language acquisition ability may qualify for an accommodation allowing alternative coursework on culture (taught in English). If you believe you could qualify, please contact the Office of Accessible Education immediately after beginning at SCU. The process can take several quarters to complete, so don’t delay!
Option 1: Satisfy upon admission to SCU
For the following situations please contact the Office of the Registrar:
Contact email: registrar@scu.edu OR
Phone: 408-551-1000 (choose option 3 from phone tree)
- Score 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam
- Receive an “A(a) or B(b)” on the Cambridge International A Level Exam
- Receive a 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate HL (High Level) Language B exam
- Submit TOEFL or IELTS score to the Office of the Registrar
- Transfer in college-level language courses from an accredited institution
- If coursework is not equivalent to your language requirement, you must take the remaining courses at SCU. If the courses are in a language not offered at SCU, you will need to begin a new language or complete these courses through an SCU-approved Study Abroad program.
Option 2: Take language courses at SCU
You can study any of the following languages (listed by the language’s home department):
- Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish (Department of Modern Languages & Literatures)
- Greek and Latin (Department of Classics)
Option 3: Placement into language courses
A placement recommendation is a prerequisite for all new students to our language programs. You must complete the no later than TWO weeks prior to enrolling in your first SCU course in a specific language. You may only enroll in the course(s) prescribed by your placement recommendation.
| Map it | Decide which language to take, then . NOTE: Some sequenced courses are offered only in specific quarters (e.g. Level 1 in fall, Level 2 in winter…), so keep this in mind when making your plan. It’s best to start and complete your coursework in the same academic year. Map out your plan! |
| Placement into language courses | A placement recommendation is a prerequisite for all new students to our language programs. You must complete the no later than TWO weeks prior to enrolling in your first SCU course in a specific language. You may only enroll in the course(s) prescribed by your placement recommendation. |
| Registration | Enroll as soon as you can to be sure and get a seat. You don’t want to have to postpone your studies because you couldn’t get into a course. |
| Plans change | Plan to go beyond the minimum language requirement. If you change or add a major, it may have a higher language requirement, and you want to be prepared. |
| Benefits | Some study abroad programs, many campus internships and fellowships, graduate programs and many lucrative career opportunities seek or require candidates to have second language skills beyond the Elementary level. You might not be thinking about these things now, but if you acquire the skills, you will be prepared should the opportunity arise! |
| Degrees | Use your language requirement studies to launch into a minor or major in your target language. Many SCU Business and Arts & Sciences majors find it easy to extend their language studies to a minor or major, especially when combining this work with studies done abroad through an SCU program. See an advisor in Modern Languages for more information. |
You are responsible for ensuring that you complete your 2nd Language Requirement. When you think you have satisfied the requirement, be sure to check your transcripts and “degree progress report” in ecampus to ensure that it is listed as completed. If you don’t see it listed as completed, you need to contact the Drahmann Center immediately.