Modern Language Placement Policy
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Local Placement Exams (Offered at no charge to SDSU students)
Under revised departmental policy, this exam is not mandatory; students are encouraged to take the exam in order to determine appropriate course placement. The exam will be used as a tool to assist students, not mandate which course they must take. Taking the placement exam does not automatically give students the right to receive credit for a course; students must take at least one higher level course in the department to qualify for such credit.
The Department of Modern Languages at South Dakota State University wants you to have the best experience possible on campus. In order to help you identify the language course which best fits your needs and abilities, review the following information.
The SDSU Modern Language department currently teaches five languages: Arabic, French, German, Lakota, and Spanish. SDSU offers a major (36 hours) in German and Spanish and a minor (20 hours) in German and Spanish. In French the major is 37 hours and the minor is 22 hours. Students who want to satisfy their 14-hour modern language requirement can do so in French, German, Lakota or Spanish. The placement examination is offered for French, German, and Spanish only. Contact the Modern Languages Department at 605-688-5101 for information on test dates and locations.
If you have never taken a modern language before or wish to start a new language at SDSU, you will want to begin with a 101 course. But, if you have studied a modern language in high school or at another college/university, you will probably want to save yourself time and money by starting with 102 or a more advanced course. If you have some background in Lakota, you should talk to the instructor in that language about where to begin your language studies at SDSU.
Again, if your situation is unique and you have unanswered questions, get in touch with the Modern Languages Department at the following address:
Department of Modern Languages
South Dakota State University
NFA 121, Box 2275
Brookings, SD 57007-0494
Modern Language Placement Policy in Four Quick Points
1. Study of a foreign language may significantly enhance your marketability as a professional.
2. If you already have a background in a modern language, you should use this background to enter a course beyond 101; the higher you can go, the better off you are.
3. You are encouraged to take a modern language placement exam to see where you should begin language study. The placement exam is not required and, if you do poorly on it, you may still go into a course beyond 101.
4. You will get credit for the courses you exempt after successfully completing one modern language course at SDSU. Credit for an exempted course costs only $7.50 per credit hour. |
| The Modern Language placement exam for Spanish is now available online. To access this exam, review the WebCape Online Placement Exam for Spanish information on the Modern Language Department's web page.
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WebCAPE Online Placement Exam for Spanish
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