Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

All William and Mary students are required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language before they graduate. Completion of this requirement may be accomplished in the following ways:

1. Completion of Level IV in high school of an ancient or modern foreign language.
2. A score of at least 600 on the College Board SAT II achievement test in a modern foreign language or a 650 on the test in Latin.
3. Completion of a William and Mary language course taught at or above the 202 level.

Unless you have completed 4 years of a language in high school, or have achieved the necessary score on the SAT II, you will need to complete your language course of study here at the College up through the fourth semester (202) level. For more information, visit the Placement page.

• Any language course being used to fulfill this requirement, up to and including the 202-level, may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

• Students may fulfill the foreign language proficiency requirement through a study abroad program if:
  
  1. Prior approval for the course has been obtained from the Modern Languages Department
  2. The course is taken in a country where the language is the official language.

• In order to demonstrate proficiency in a modern language not currently taught at William and Mary, students may petition to the Chair of the Modern Languages Department. The Alternative Fulfillment of the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement [PDF] form should be turned in to the Main Office of the Modern Languages Department in Washington 219. Once the paperwork has been submitted, the requests will be assessed on an individual basis. In most cases, students will be paired with a fluent speaker of the language for a brief interview, during which their speaking, reading, and writing skills will be assessed. After this interview, the Chair will decide whether or not to approve the request.