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Foreign Language Placement

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Effective Date: Fall 2026
Last Reviewed: Spring 2026
Last Revised: Fall 2023
Next Review: Fall 2035

Policy Statement

Generally, foreign language requirements are met by passing the highest-level course in the language requirement or a course beyond the highest level in the requirement. Students should review the University Catalog and consult with their academic advisor(s) to determine specific language requirements for their college and program. Some students may begin their university foreign language experience beyond the Elementary I level without receiving credit for the previous course(s) and, thus, may complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses than specified in their language requirement. In this case, the credit hours not used for the language requirement may be still required for graduation but may be applied toward coursework in the student’s major or minor or as electives.

Reason for Policy

A university foreign language placement policy ensures that students begin their coursework at a level that matches their current knowledge and skills, which supports academic success and persistence. A clear placement policy also promotes equity and consistency by applying uniform standards across students and modalities, while allowing for multiple measures (e.g., placement scores, prior coursework) to account for diverse educational backgrounds.

Procedures

All students should begin foreign language study in the appropriate course, which may be determined in one of the following ways:

  1. Webcape Placement Exam available on the Placement Channel in FlashLine for Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish. Students should take the placement assessment 48 hours before their academic advising appointment and/or registering for their first language course.
  2. Placement interview with a faculty member in the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies for languages for which there is no Webcape Placement Exam.

The Webcape Placement Exam and placement Interview are used for placement purposes only. Students seeking exemption from a foreign language requirement must obtain a waiver, pass the highest course in their requirement or meet the requirement via alternative credits.

Students planning to study a language other than the ones listed above should contact the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies via mcls@kent.edu or website for further placement instructions.

Foreign Language Proficiency Waiver

Students able to demonstrate foreign language proficiency comparable to the highest course in their foreign language requirement may be able to have their language requirement waived. Students should review the University Catalog and consult with their academic advisor(s) and the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies to verify eligibility.

Proficiency waivers will be granted for the following:

  1. International students who were educated through high or secondary school in a language other than English. Foreign language waivers will be granted to international students who have one of the following:
    1. TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE Academic score recorded in their Kent State University academic record.
    2. Completion of English-as-second-language courses at Kent State.
    3. Documentation that they attended a secondary or high school in a country in which courses were taught in a language other than English (e.g., high school transcripts or diploma in the original language along with a certified English translation).
    4. International Baccalaureate (IB) English language exam with a minimum 5 score (higher level) or 6 score (standard level).
  2. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Exams. The tests are administered by Language Testing International. Students are responsible for the costs of the exam(s) and for providing the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies with a copy of the certificate(s). Instructions for taking the ACTFL Exams may be found on the department website.
    1. A proficiency waiver will be granted through Elementary II of a foreign language to students who provide either
      1. an official ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) certificate that documents proficiency at the intermediate low or higher level; or
      2. comparable qualifying score on an ACTFL-based proficiency exam (such as those accepted for the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy) confirming oral proficiency of at least an intermediate low level.
    2. A proficiency waiver will be granted through Intermediate II of a foreign language to students who provide either
      1. an official ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) certificates with scores at the intermediate low or higher level; or
      2. comparable qualifying proficiency exams (such as those accepted for the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy) confirming oral proficiency and writing proficiency of at least an intermediate low level.
  3. Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). A proficiency waiver will be granted through Elementary II of a foreign language to students who were tested during military service and provide an official DLPT certificate confirming oral proficiency of at least ILR 1. A proficiency waiver will be granted through Intermediate II of a foreign language to students who provide an official DLPT certificate confirming oral proficiency of at least ILR 1+.
  4. Ohio Seal of Biliteracy. A proficiency waiver will be granted through Intermediate II of a foreign language to students with an Ohio Seal of Biliteracy. Students who have qualified for the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy by means of an International Baccalaureate (IP) or AP exam or who submit their ACE transcripts may be eligible to receive credit for the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy. Students must provide a copy of the certificate or test score. The stamp on the high school diploma will not suffice. For more information, visit the Credit Transfer website.
  5. Alternative proficiency measures. Students may have proficiency in a language for which no standardized test exists. In this case, students should contact the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies to arrange for assessment by an approved native speaker of that foreign language (e.g., teacher, professor or certified translator), with the assessment method approved in advance by a department administrator.

Forms/Instructions

There are no forms associated with this policy.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What if I took one language in high school but want to take a different language in college?
    You will be required to take a foreign language placement assessment. To access the assessment, please log in to FlashLine, select Student/Resources/Placement Assessments/Foreign Language and then select "Take the Foreign Language Placement Assessment."
  2. The foreign language assessment is not required for my major, but I want to take a language course. What do I need to do?
    Complete the foreign language online placement assessment for the language you would like to take. Your academic advisor or college/campus advising office can assist you with understanding your course placement.
  3. Kent State offers Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Russian as part of the placement assessment options. I want to take a different language to satisfy my requirement. What should I do in order to take the assessment for the language I want to study at Kent State?
    Placement assessment procedures for other languages can be found on the department website.
  4. I have an exam score report/transcript from the Defense Foreign Language Institute. Can I get credit for my scores in addition to placement?​
    Yes, depending on your score it is possible to receive credit for your scores. For more information, visit the Credit Transfer website.

Definitions

Advanced Placement (AP): A program through the College Board that awards college credit based on college-level high school courses and tests administered through the high schools.

International Baccalaureate (IB): A two-year program for ages 16–19 that allows students to earn college credit for demonstrating academic mastery among six subject areas.

International Student: A student who is not a citizen of the United States.

Sequence: Courses that must be taken in a definite order.

Destination Kent State: A three-part orientation program designed for first-year students to familiarize them with Kent State University. The program provides new students with the tools necessary to enjoy a successful journey to graduation.

Related Information

Revision History

Amended Fall 2026: Revised policy expands the list of acceptable tests and scores to waive the foreign language requirement; removes CEFR certificate as option.

Amended Fall 2023: Revised policy provides more clarification for the ACTFL certificate to waive the foreign language requirement.

Amended Fall 2022: Revised policy clarifies the ACTFL certificate to waive the foreign language requirement.

Amended Fall 2019: Revised policy adds options to waive the foreign language requirement, including successful passing of English language proficiency tests for international students, ACTFL exams, CEFR certificate or DLPT test.

Amended Fall 2017: Revised policy adds AP and IB tests to determine placement or proficiency and expands upon acceptable documentation to request a foreign language waiver for native speakers.

Amended Fall 2014: Revised policy requires transfer students in a program requirement a foreign language to complete the foreign language placement questionnaire to determine placement.

Amended Fall 2012: Revised policy complies with the Ohio Remediation Free Standards for undergraduate students and to provide college-testing thresholds for placement into mathematics courses.