In addition to fulfilling Northeastern University's NUpath Requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the BA core requirements, which include meeting specific language proficiency standards.
All BA students are required to demonstrate elementary-level language proficiency and must satisfy an intermediate-level language requirement as outlined below.
Elementary-Level Proficiency
To satisfy the language proficiency requirement, students must meet one of the following criteria:
1. Coursework
Complete elementary-level language courses (course numbers 1101 and 1102) with grades of C– or better in all coursework. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades cannot be used to satisfy this proficiency requirement.
2. Credit by Examination or Transfer
- Obtain a score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement language exam.
- Receive International Baccalaureate credit only for higher-level language courses with a grade of 5, 6, or 7.
- Earn transfer credit for the equivalent of elementary-level 2 (course number 1102) from another institution.
Students who have earned AP, IB, or transfer credit must also receive a satisfactory score in a language-specific interview conducted by the Department of World Languages and Cultures upon matriculation.
3. Placement Assessment
Receive a satisfactory score (as determined by WLAC) on a standardized placement assessment upon matriculation.
Intermediate-Level Requirement
To meet the intermediate-level requirement, students must achieve one of the following outcomes:
1. Intermediate-Level Language Course
Complete a course at the intermediate level (course number 2101 or higher) in the same language used to fulfill the elementary-level proficiency requirement.
2. Approved Culture Course
Complete a course focusing on some aspect of the culture, history, or society of the region where the language studied at the elementary level is spoken or widely used. See the list of approved culture courses in the Course Lists tab.
3. Proficiency
Demonstrate language proficiency by completing an interview scheduled through the Department of World Languages and Cultures. The proficiency interview option is available only to heritage speakers or students who have satisfied the elementary-level proficiency through one of the following:
- Advanced Placement exam
- International Baccalaureate exam
- Standardized placement assessment, as outlined above
