If you have previous language experience and plan to continue your modern language studies at Michigan Tech, you must take the German, or Spanish placement test. Beginning students with no previous experience are welcome in our introductory classes.
The Modern Language Placement Test is used as a guide to place you at the appropriate level of study. All students with more than one year of high school language study are required to take the Michigan Tech online placement exam (registration information below). Exception: students who have scored a 3 or above on the AP exam are automatically given a waiver for 3rd year courses.
Placement credits are assigned by language and by course. Students should consult the instructor's syllabus for the list of courses for which they will receive placement credit. Students can receive a maximum of 9 placement credits in any language. Students must receive a B or better in their validation (placement) course in order to receive placement credits.
If you feel that your test results are incorrect or do not represent your level of language abilities, please feel free to contact our Undergraduate Advisor (mjbergst@mtu.edu) for assistance.
Course placement is based on your knowledge of grammatical structures and reading level in a second language. In order to accurately determine your placement level, dictionaries or other language aids should not be used.
Students may satisfy the Global Literacy requirement for graduation by successfully completing at least one 3000 level language class in French, German, or Spanish.
Important Note for Students Currently Minoring in French
Unfortunately, our French program is being discontinued. We are currently not accepting new students in the French minors. However, if you are already minoring in French, we are committed in supporting your efforts in completing the minor.
Some options are: transferring French courses from a community college or another university, or doing a study abroad in a Francophone country to complete your coursework.
We encourage you to contact our advisor Jenni Nance or the Modern Languages & Cultures director Leyre Alegre if you have questions regarding finishing your French minor.
Placement Cutoffs and Validation Course Equivalencies
German
- HU 2281: 0-200
- HU 2282: 201-320
- HU 3281: 321-440
- HU 3282: 441-560
- HU 3284 & 3285: 561-999
Spanish
- HU 2291: 0-130
- HU 2292: 131-200
- HU 2293: 201-320
- HU 3291: 321-400
- HU 3292: 401-479
- HU 3293: 480-630
- HU 3294, 3295, 3296: 631-999
Placement Credits
When students complete their validation course (the course they are placed into and enroll in for upon completion of the WebCape Online Placement Exam), with B or better they may qualify for placement credits as follows:
Spanish
- HU 2293: 3 cr for HU 2291
- HU 3291: 3 cr for HU 2293
- HU 3292: 6 cr for HU 2293 and HU 3291
- HU 3293: 9 cr for HU 2293, HU 3291, and HU 3292
- HU 3294, 3295, or 3296: 9 cr for HU 2293, HU 3291, and HU 3292
German
- HU 3281: 3 cr for HU 2282
- HU 3282: 6 cr for HU 2282 and HU 3281
- HU 3283: 9 cr for HU 2282, HU 3281, HU 3282
- HU 3284 and HU 3285: 9 cr for HU 2282, HU 3281, HU 3282