Foreign Language Requirement

Students will demonstrate intermediate proficiency in their language of study by completing a 202-level language course or higher, or appropriate placement exam score.

Intermediate-Level Proficiency in a Foreign Language

Students pursuing a BA degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences or the College of Science must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language.

  • Students can demonstrate language proficiency by completing an approved intermediate-level sequence in one foreign language. George Mason's intermediate-level language sequence is 110 OR 101 AND 102 (6 credits), 201 (3 credits), and 202 (3 credits) or SPAN 212 (3 credits). An accelerated 100-level class (115, 3 credits) is also available in some languages. In Spanish, heritage speakers can take 215 (3 credits) to fulfill the intermediate-level sequence.

    Students who have prior experience with a foreign language and plan to take further courses in that language at George Mason should take the placement test administered by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages (see below). This will determine placement into the most appropriate course.
  • Students can demonstrate language proficiency by achieving a satisfactory score on a waiver test administered by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. Students will be granted a waiver of the foreign language requirement if their test score places them beyond a course numbered 202 (or SPAN 212). Students who are granted a waiver do not receive credit.

  • Students can demonstrate language proficiency by successfully completing an upper-level course (numbered 300 or above) that requires intermediate-level proficiency and is taught in the foreign language.

  • Students can demonstrate language proficiency by successfully completing a three course sequence in American Sign Language (EDSE 115 - American Sign Language (ASL) I, EDSE 116 - American Sign Language (ASL) II, and EDSE 219 - American Sign Language (ASL) III).
  • Transfer students can demonstrate proficiency by transferring a course that is the final course in an intermediate-level sequence offered by an accredited institution.

Students can request a waiver of the foreign language requirement if they can demonstrate language proficiency through documentation of previous language experience. The web page Waiver of the Foreign Language Requirement explains how to do this. Students who are granted a waiver do not receive credit. Students should address questions to the office of CHSS Academic Affairs.