Frequently Asked Questions

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

Admissions Requirement

The minimum foreign language requirement for admission to UW-Madison is two sequential units of a language (other than English). Competitive applicants have at least three or four units.

A unit of language is defined as:

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

Graduation Requirement

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

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:

New Freshmen & Transfer Students

1. 1. Pre-Orientation (Spring/Early Summer): Register for the French, German or Spanish placement test through regional placement tests (in or near WI) or computer-based testing.
   2. Post-Orientation (During Academic Year): Find times for the French, German or Spanish placement test through UW-Madison Testing and Evaluation Services.

Current Students

1. 1. Find times for the French, German or Spanish placement test through UW-Madison Testing and Evaluation Services .
      Learn more about content on French, German and Spanish placement tests.

All other language programs (Arabic, Chinese, Latin, etc.):

Contact the language advisor/follow the link 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 question above for additional information.

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

Languages offered through at least the 4th semester at UW-Madison (as of Fall 2022)

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

Arabic
Chinese
Czech
Dakota
Danish
Dutch
Filipino
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hindi
Hebrew (Modern)
Hmong
Ho-Chunk
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Menominee
Norwegian
Ojibwe
Oneida
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Quechua
Russian
Sanskrit
Spanish
Swahili
Swedish
Thai
Tibetan
Turkish
Urdu
Vietnamese
Yoruba

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.