Modern Languages - Undergraduate
Programs
Bachelor's Degrees
- Critical Languages and International Studies BA
- French Global Studies BA
- Modern Languages BA
- Spanish for Global Competence BA
- Spanish Translation & Interpreting BA
Fast Tracks
- French Global Studies BA to Modern Languages MA Fast Track
- Spanish for Global Competence BA to Modern Languages MA Fast Track
Certificates
- Localization and Translation Certificates
- French Translation Certificate
- Mexican Culture Certificate
- Spanish for Global Health and Human Services Certificate
- Spanish Linguistics Certificate
- Spanish for the Professions Certificate
- Spanish Translation/Interpreting Certificate
Minors
- Localization and Translation Minors
- ASL & Deaf Studies Minor
- Arabic Minor
- Chinese Minor
- French Minor
- German Minor
- Korean Minor
- Mexican Culture Minor
- Modern Language Teaching Minor
- Russian Minor
- Spanish for Global Competence Minor
- Spanish for Global Health and Human Services Minor
- Spanish Interpreting Minor
- Spanish Linguistics Minor
- Spanish Translation Minor
Undergraduate Policies
Admission to a Major in the Department of Modern Languages
In addition to satisfying the entrance requirements for the College of Liberal Arts, prospective majors in the Department of Modern Languages must meet the following criteria:
- A 3.0 GPA is required in the 1441-2314 Modern Language sequence, or an equivalent score on the Modern Language testing instrument, or approval of the departmental advisor.
- After admission to the Modern Language major, students must maintain a 2.00 GPA in major classes.
Accelerated Language Program
Students with no previous experience or courses in a modern language may choose to begin by enrolling in one of our Accelerated Programs, i.e. completing Levels I and II (8 credit hours) of a language in one semester, or Levels III and IV (6 credit hours) in one semester. These classes may not be offered every semester. Check with the Department of Modern Languages for available courses. Students are cautioned to take these courses prior to their senior year because of the possibility of enrollment limitations.
Language Acquisition Center
The Department of Modern Languages maintains a fully equipped computer lab on the third floor of Trimble Hall, the Language Acquisition Center (LAC). The LAC has an extensive collection of analog and digital media for student use, as well as course-related software and self-study software.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTING: PLACEMENT AND Credit by Examination
PROFICIENCY TESTING OVERVIEW
The Department of Modern Language recommends that students with previous experience in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, or Spanish take a proficiency test prior to enrolling in lower-division language courses. Avant tests are used to test proficiency for placement and credit by examination. There are two test types: Avant PLACE and Avant STAMP. Testing fees apply.
POLICIES AND DEADLINES
The Avant test is used to grant credit by examination up to the Intermediate II level (2314/2315) based on the student’s test score. The Avant test is used for second-language learners, as well as native/heritage learners.
Native or heritage speakers of Spanish may not enroll in classes for second-language learners (SPAN 1441, 1442, 2313, 2314). Instead, they take SPAN 2312 Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers I and SPAN 2315 Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers II. They can place directly into SPAN 2312 by completing the free Spanish Heritage Language Program Placement Survey. Credits for SPAN 1441 and SPAN 1442 are granted by enrolling in SPAN 2312 and remaining enrolled past Census Date. Alternatively, native or heritage speakers of Spanish may opt to take a proficiency test to potentially earn credit for SPAN 1441, 1442, 2313, 2314. Testing fees apply.
All students taking the Avant test to fulfill a language requirement must take it before the end of their junior year to allow enough time to take any future courses that may be needed to satisfy a language requirement and/or to have their credits posted in time for graduation application reviews. There are no retakes for the Avant test.
If grades or credits have already been posted to a UTA transcript via transfer, exam credit, or having completed a language course at UTA, taking the Avant test cannot override the existing grades or credits. If a student is enrolled in a language course past the Census Date, they cannot test out of this course via Avant test and must finish the course to receive credit.
For more information, contact the Department of Modern Languages.
avant PLACE TEST
Students planning to enroll in the next-level language course in the upcoming semester take the Avant PLACE. The credits received through the Avant PLACE test will only be applied to UTA transcripts if the following conditions are met: 1) the examinee enrolls in the next appropriate language course in the sequence at UTA and remains enrolled in the course past Census Date, and 2) the administration fee is paid before the last semester prior to graduation.
Students admitted to UTA before the upcoming fall/spring semester begins who are planning to take the next-level language course should take the Avant PLACE test at least one week before the first day of classes. Students wishing to enroll in the next-level language course who must take the test past this deadline may still choose to take the Avant PLACE test. However, class placement in this case is not guaranteed.
avant stamp test
Students wishing to test out of language courses and not continue their language studies at UTA must take the Avant STAMP test. In this case, they receive credits only (no letter grades) for the courses they test out of depending on their test score. Students wishing to enroll in the next-level language course in the upcoming semester may also take the Avant STAMP test, but the Avant PLACE test is recommended for this purpose (see above). The credits received through the Avant STAMP test will only be applied to UTA transcripts if the administration fee is paid before the last semester prior to graduation.
Students admitted to UTA before the upcoming fall/spring semester begins, who are planning to take the next-level language course and who choose to take the Avant STAMP test, must take the test at least four weeks before the first day of classes. The American Sign Language STAMP test must be completed at least six weeks before the first day of classes, as it takes longer to process. It is preferred that students wishing to enroll in the next-level language course take the Avant PLACE test instead, as it typically requires less time to be scored. For late registration, students cannot take the Avant STAMP test, but must take the Avant PLACE test.
Other Exams and credentials
The following exams are also accepted by UTA for credit by examination, if they were taken prior to enrolling at UTA: the Advanced Placement Examination (AP) of the College Board, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Board, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Examination. For more information, contact Testing Services.
A Global Seal of Biliteracy or Avant STAMP certificate received outside of UTA may be also accepted for credit by examination. For more information, contact the Department of Modern Languages. Processing fee applies.
Study Abroad
Students should give serious consideration to the unique learning experience of studying abroad. Students wishing to study for a summer, a semester, or a year may obtain UT Arlington credit, continue with their financial aid, and receive scholarship aid to attend any UT Arlington-approved program for Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, Russian, or Spanish.
Summer Study: The department offers several opportunities for gaining credit while studying abroad. Regular programs are offered which provide opportunities for summer study in various countries, including China, France, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Spain, and Taiwan. All arrangements must be made through the department.
Competence in Computer Use
Students majoring in French, Spanish for Global Competence, Spanish Translation and Interpreting, or Critical Languages and International Studies may demonstrate competency in computer use by:
- passing CSE 1301 (or equivalent); or
- passing any 1441, 1442, 2313 or 2314 CHIN, FREN, GERM, KORE, RUSS or SPAN course(s) in residence at UT Arlington; or
- passing the University computer competency examination; or
- passing any other course approved by the Undergraduate Assembly for this purpose.
Competence in Oral Presentations
Students majoring in French, Spanish for Global Competence, Spanish Translation and Interpreting, or Critical Languages and International Studies may demonstrate competence in oral presentations by passing one of the following (or any other course approved by the Undergraduate Assembly for this purpose):
ARABIC CONVERSATION & CULTURE | ||
CHINESE CONVERSATION | ||
FRENCH PRONUNCIATION | ||
FRENCH CONVERSATION | ||
TOPICS IN GERMAN CULTURE & CONVERSATION | ||
KOREAN CONVERSATION AND CULTURE I | ||
CONVERSATION AND TOPICS IN RUSSIAN CULTURE | ||
ADVANCED SPANISH CONVERSATION | ||
LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION | ||
FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING | ||
VOICE AND DICTION | ||
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION |
Critical Cultures Summer Institute
The Critical Cultures Summer Institute (CCSI) highlights a different, less commonly taught cultural area of the globe each summer, providing up to 9 credits of upper-division coursework, along with GLOBAL 2301, the anchor course of UTA's Critical Languages and International Studies (CLIS) major.
GLOBAL 2301 will provide an introduction to global studies and couple with GLOBAL 3301 and GLOBAL 3302 in such areas as language and civilization, film, media, or other subjects of global study. An introductory class in Localization and Translation will also be offered under the aegis of the Summer Institute as GLOBAL 3310. GLOBAL 3301, 3302, and 3310 will fulfill three of the four international studies courses required for the BA in Critical Languages and International Studies. GLOBAL 2301 is also a requirement for the degree. GLOBAL 2301 and GLOBAL 3301 will be offered during Summer Session I, and GLOBAL 3302 and 3310 will be offered during Summer Session II. Students at any level of language study may take these courses.