Language Proficiency Requirement
Students who have declared one of the following majors Fall 2019 or later must complete
the Language Proficiency Requirement.
Majors with the Language Proficiency Requirement:
American Indian Studies, Anthropology, Art, Media, & Design, Border Studies, Child
& Adolescent Development, Communication, Criminology & Justice Studies, Environmental
Studies, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Global Studies*, History, Literature & Writing
Studies, Media Studies, Political Science, Psychological Science, Social Sciences,
Sociology, Theatre, Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
The Language Proficiency Requirement can be met in one of the following ways:
- Intermediate-level Language Course: Complete the equivalent of one intermediate-level course (i.e. 200 level - excluding
courses focused solely on oral conversation skills) in any language other than English at the college or community college level, with a C grade or higher
or CR grade (including study abroad).
- For many students, this will mean a three-course sequence to successfully complete
the 200-level course.
- American Sign Language (ASL) may be used to satisfy the Language Proficiency Requirement*.
Conditions apply.
- The Language Proficiency Requirement cannot be met with computer languages.
- Approved online or non-CSUSM courses may be used to satisfy the Language Requirement.
- CSUSM Proficiency Exam: Demonstrate intermediate-level language proficiency assessed via a CSUSM Proficiency Exam;
- Advanced Placement Exam (AP): Earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam in a foreign language;
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam: Earn a score of 4 or higher on an IB Higher-Level Language A Literature Exam, or Language A Language and Literature Exam;
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Language Examination: Receive the following minimum score on a CLEP Language Exam:
- French Level II: 59
- German Level II: 60
- Spanish Level II: 63
- TOEFL or other CSUSM-approved English language exam: Took the TOEFL or other CSUSM-approved English language exam as a condition for admission into the University;
- Complete at least three years full-time at a high-school or university where English
was not the principal language of instruction.
*Global Studies majors must complete a fourth semester language proficiency requirement. Global Studies majors may not use American
Sign Language to satisfy the Language Proficiency Requirement.