LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT AT LAWRENCE
& PLACEMENT TEST INFORMATION
SPANISH PLACEMENT TEST:
All students interested in taking Spanish at Lawrence are required to take a placement examination, and will be placed in courses according to the score obtained on the test. Registration in Spanish 101 is also based on the required placement examination.
NOTE FOR NEW STUDENTS:
Students who are registering to take a Spanish course in the coming academic year should take our on-line placement exam, administered through Brigham Young University. The exam will take about 20 minutes and will recommend to you the level of course for which you should register. Results will also be forwarded to the Spanish department. Please go to the following URL:
http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org?acct=lawrence
password: vikings1 (all lower case; it is the number 1, not the letter L).
When you're logged in, you'll be prompted for an ID. Type in "new student" (without quotes). You'll also be prompted for your email address. If you have one, type it in. If you have no email address, type "NA" (without quotes). If you have questions about this exam or problems logging in, please contact the Chair of the Spanish department, Prof. Tapia. If the exam scores will require a registration change and your registration forms have already been sent in, you may make the change when you meet with your advisor in September.
Students who have never taken high school Spanish, will have to either present a copy of their HS transcript before being allowed to register in SPAN 101, or will have to take the placement test.
SATISFYING THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:
As part of its General Education Requirements, Lawrence requires all students to attain a foreign language competency at the minimum level equivalent to three college terms of study (i.e., equivalent to successful completion of SPAN 201).
Students can satisfy this requirement in several different ways. The options include:
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Successfully completing all, or appropriate sections of, the SPAN 101-102-201, depending on the results of the Lawrence placement examination in Spanish
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Placing above the level of SPAN 201 on the Lawrence placement examination in Spanish AND providing additional proof of competency (contact departmental chair for details); NOTE: this option satisfies the language requirement, but carries no additional academic credit;
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Obtaining the score equivalent to the level of second year on the CLEP examination in Spanish; NOTE: this option satisfies the language requirement, but carries no additional academic credit; placing below the second year level will require taking the Lawrence placement test before being allowed to enroll in Spanish courses; CLEP at the level equivalent to one year's college work is sufficient for Music Conservatory majors;
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Obtaining a score of 630 or higher on the SAT II Spanish or Spanish with Listening exam; NOTE: this option satisfies the language requirement, but carries no additional academic credit; placing below 630 level will require taking the Lawrence placement test before being allowed to enroll in Spanish courses;
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Obtaining a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) examination in Spanish Language or Spanish Literature; NOTE: this option satisfies the requirement and carries credit equivalent to one 6 unit course;
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Obtaining a score of 6 or higher on the Spanish International Baccalaureate Examination at the advanced level; NOTE: this option satisfies the requirement and carries credit equivalent to one 6 unit course.
PLEASE NOTE: Lawrence University does not conduct the CLEP, SAT II, AP, or IBO examinations. They can be taken at numerous authorized centers on a fee basis. Please see the links on top of this page for more detailed information.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES:
At the course level of 300 and above, students should be mindful of the prerequisites to take a particular course and need to consult with a Spanish instructor before registering for the course. At whatever level students place, they should plan to begin their study of Spanish in the freshman or sophomore year.
