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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, 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:

  1. 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.
  2. CSUSM Proficiency Exam: Demonstrate intermediate-level language proficiency assessed via a CSUSM Proficiency Exam;
  3. Advanced Placement Exam (AP): Earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam in a foreign language;
  4. 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;
  5. 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
  6. 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;
  7. 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.