Department of World Languages and Cultures
The study of world languages provides students valuable tools they need to develop critical thinking skills, writing competency, intercultural awareness, and problem-solving techniques that transfer to a variety of careers in international business and finance, international non-governmental organizations, diplomacy, tourism, law, journalism, social work, the health professions, public relations, education, and advertising, among others. Reading knowledge of a world language is a requirement for many graduate degrees.
Placement Exam
Students who wish to continue studying French, German or Spanish but who have no prior university-level coursework in the language must take the appropriate world language placement exam and will be placed accordingly. The placement test is given to help the student select the proper course, but departmental advising is still recommended. Heritage speakers should consult with the World Languages and Cultures Chair or the heritage course instructor regarding placement. Non-heritage students of languages other than French, German, and Spanish should speak with the course instructor or with the World Languages and Cultures Chair about placement.
Credit for Previous Language Study
The Department of World Languages grants up to 16 credits in French, German, Japanese and Spanish (12 credits in Arabic and Chinese) for previous language study or other language experience provided the student earns at least a “B” in the course into which they place at UW-Whitewater or another UW System university. Students may enroll in any course except Phonetics (French/German/Spanish 310) and Conversation (French/German/Spanish 390) to receive retroactive credits for previous language experience, and the "B" or higher grade must be earned in the first eligible course taken at the university level. Students who complete their first college-level world language course at institutions outside the UW System are ineligible to receive retroactive credits at UW-Whitewater.