Frequently Asked Questions

UW-Madison regularly offers over 50 modern languages during the academic year and intensive instruction in over 30 languages in the summer!

The language requirement for graduation from UW-Madison varies by School or College.

A unit of language is defined as:

• One semester of college OR
• One year of high school OR
• Two years of middle school

If you did not complete your College of Letters & Science language requirement with high school coursework alone and need additional language coursework to reach the 3rd or 4th semester level at UW-Madison, know that not all language courses have offerings through the 3rd or 4th semester level. Before beginning or continuing a language to complete your L&S language requirement, refer to the list below and check with your academic advisor to ensure you will be able to use the language to complete the necessary units needed.

Languages offered through at least the 4th semester at UW-Madison (as of Fall 2024)

*Includes courses regularly offered through the fourth semester during the regular (Fall-Spring) academic terms only.

Arabic
Chinese
Danish
Dutch
Filipino
French
German
Greek (Ancient)
Hebrew (Modern)
Hindi
Hmong
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Quechua
Russian
Spanish
Swahili
Swedish
Thai
Tibetan
Turkish
Urdu
Vietnamese
Yoruba

Please refer to the College of Letters & Science Undergraduate Guide to view the Credit By Course Examination/Retroactive Credit Policy (Credits —> Credit By Course Examination/Retroactive Credits).

How do I determine the number of retroactive credits I will receive?

There are two considerations you should make when determining the number of retro credits you will receive upon earning a B or better in your first language course at UW-Madison:

1. What language course did you place into?
2. What are the prior UW-Madison courses (first semester, second semester, third semester, etc.) in the course sequence for that language, and how many credits are those courses worth?

Remember: Retrocredits can only be earned for the first four semesters/terms of a language sequence.  Please note: Native speakers of a language are not eligible to earn retroactive credits in the language.

For Example:

How do I find out what the prior courses are for the course that I place into?

To find prior coursework in the course sequence, admitted and current students can conduct a search through the Course Search and Enroll App through MyUW. Prospective students should refer to the Public Class Search.

If you have further questions regarding retroactive credits, please contact advisor@languageinstitute.wisc.edu.

For most languages, you can only take the odd-numbered courses (i.e. first semester, third semester, etc.) in the fall, and the even-numbered courses (i.e. second semester, fourth semester, etc.) in the spring. This means that if you want to start a new language, you usually have to start in the fall semester.

Placement testing and evaluation is required for students who have prior experience in a language. *Students entering with AP language credit or other college credit are still required to take the placement test to ensure accurate course placement.

If you want to start learning a new language, you do not need to take a placement test/evaluation. Go ahead and enroll!

French, German and Spanish Test Registration:

Register for a placement test through Testing & Evaluation Services.

Learn more about content on French, German and Spanish placement tests.

All other language programs:

Contact the language advisor on this page to learn how your prior experience will be evaluated.

Email advisor@languageinstitute.wisc.edu with additional questions.

There are many ways that you can earn college credit for language study while still in high school:

• Advanced Placement (AP) tests
• International Baccalaureate (IB) tests
• Dual enrollment programs (UW-Oshkosh CAPP, UM College in the Schools, etc.)
• A language course taken at a college or university while still in high school

It is important to verify how your credit will transfer prior to your arrival. To transfer the credit, you should request that transcripts or test scores be sent from the credit-granting institution to UW-Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment as soon as possible.

Direct further questions to: advisor@languageinstitute.wisc.edu.

UW-Madison does not award credit for the Seal of Biliteracy. However, students can earn retroactive credits for prior language study; please see the question above for additional information.

We highly value the Seal of Biliteracy and encourage students who have earned it to continue their language study at UW-Madison! Make an appointment with the Language Directions Specialist to learn more.

Yes, our scholarships page will tell you about specific opportunities on and off campus.

Schedule an appointment with Language Directions Specialist, Lydia Odegard, to discuss academic programs and campus resources that fit students’ international and language interests as well as professional opportunities (full-time jobs and internships) that draw on these experiences. Don’t forget to check out the many other career resources on campus too.

For general questions, email advisor@languageinstitute.wisc.edu.