The COLFA Second Language Experience
The College of Liberal and Fine Arts requires that students achieve intermediate proficiency or the equivalent in a second language as part of their degree requirements.* The college encourages students to learn and engage with languages in ways that are professionally and personally meaningful to them. To that end, COLFA students may choose from a variety of different options for fulfilling this requirement. Six main paths are available to all COLFA students. Additional paths are available to students in select majors.
Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine the path that's right for them.
COLFA students* may fulfill this requirement through six (6) distinct paths:
Complete the first four (4) semesters of any foreign language taught at UTSA.
Completion of high school education conducted in a language other than English as evidence by official high school transcript.
Successful completion of a challenge exam in any language other than English. (For information see "Challenge Exam" at Department of Modern Languages and Literatures website).
Successful completion of a study abroad or study away programing a location where a foreign language is the principal mode of communication (3 week minimum).
Successful completion of an internship, practicum, or other form of community-based and/or engaged learning where a foreign language is the principal mode of communication.
First two (2) semesters of foreign language study plus three (3) semesters of documented 80% participation in official student clubs or organizations with weekly activities in a foreign language. (For information on this path, see "COLFA Second Language Requirement" at Department of Modern Languages and Literatures website).
Certain COLFA degree programs offer additional major-specific alternatives for completing the COLFA Second Language Requirement:
First three (3) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent and ANT2063 Language, Thought, and Culture.
- Two (2) semesters of Latin and two (2) semesters of Greek.
- Three (3) semesters of Latin or Greek and one (1) semester of anyother foreign language.
- Three (3) semesters of Latin or Greek and one (1) archaeological field project in a foreign country or study abroad experience.
- Three (3) semesters of Latin or Greek and CLA 2043 The Greek and Latin Roots of Scientific Terms.
First three (3) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent and COM 3553 Intercultural Communication or COM 3563 International Communication.
- First two (2) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent plus Advanced-level Reading Knowledge of a foreign language orIntermediate-level Reading Knowledge of two (2) foreign languages.
- First two (2) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent plus participation in Theatrical productions, film-making, or other artisticor media production in a foreign language.
- First two (2) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent plus participation in Theatrical productions, film-making, or other artistic or media production in a foreign language.
- First two (2) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent plus two (2) courses in films from the non-English speaking world (French Film, German Film, Korean film, etc.)
First two (2) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent plus Advanced-level Reading Knowledge of a foreign language or Intermediate-level Reading Knowledge of two (2) foreign languages.
- First two (2) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent plus internship in healthcare and community settings that uses a foreign language.
- First two (2) semesters of a foreign language or equivalent plus MHU3__ Language, Culture# and the Self.
*Exemption: Students majoring in the following degree programs are exempt from the COLFA Second Language Requirement: BA or BM Music, BA or BFA Art, BA English with Concentration in Language Arts and Reading Concentration, BA History with Concentration in Social Studies, ONL-only degree programs.
** High school language study counts toward the completion of this requirement; successful completion of one year of high school languagestudy is typically the equivalent of one semester at UTSA.
***Courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language requirement may also count toward other major, minor, core, or degree requirements.
