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 (a language other than English) 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. Sudents should consult with their academic advisor to determine the path that's right for them.
If you are interested in registering for Chinese, French, German, Spanish, or Korean, please take the placement exam for these languages below:
Once you have enrolled, you will be taken to Canvas where you will take the exam. Upon receiving your results, please screenshot them for your records and be prepared to share them with the instructor of the course you register for.
For other languages, you may register directly for classes. If you have any questions, contact the respective program coordinator:
American Sign Language: Mr. Cory Gember
Italian: Dr. Molly Zaldivar
Japanese: Dr. Makiko Fukuda
Russian: Dr. Drew Chapman
COLFA students* may fulfill this requirement through six (6) distinct paths:
Students who have completed their secondary education in a language other than English, as evidenced by an official transcript, have satisfied the requirement.
Successful completion of an approved challenge exam, CLEP exam, AP exam, IB exam, or equivalent, at the fourth-semester level, in any language other than English. (For information, go to the Challenge Exam page.)
Successful completion of a study abroad or study away program in a location where a language other than English is the principal mode of communication (3 week minimum).*
For more information see COLFA's study abroad and study away opportunities here.
Successful completion of an approved internship, practicum, or other form of community-based and/or engaged learning where a language other than English is the principal mode of communication.*
See COLFA's Internship page for more information.
- Second-semester or higher proficiency in a second language plus three (3) semesters of documented 80% participation in approved official student clubs or organizations with weekly activities in a second language. (For information on this path, see "COLFA Second Language Experience" at Department of Modern Languages and Literatures website.) Completion of this requirement may be demonstrated by completion of an appropriate course (CHN 1024, FRN 1024, GER 1024, ITL 1024, JPN 1024, KOR 1024, RUS 1024, SPN 1024, SPN 1033, or higher) plus completion of three semesters of LFA 2000 COLFA Second Language Experience.*
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 any other 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 artistic or 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.
** High school language study counts toward the completion of this requirement; successful completion of one year of high school language study is typically the equivalent of one semester at UTSA. Actual level will be determined by Placement Exam.
***Courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language requirement may also count toward other major, minor, core, or degree requirements.
