Criteria for Fulfilling the College of Arts and Sciences Foreign Language Graduation Requirement

Effective September 2026

Satisfy the Foreign Language Requirement

To satisfy the CAS-Foreign Language Graduation Requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in all four language skills, i.e. listening, speaking, writing and reading at a novice- high level (the WSU language level of 102) for European languages (such as French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish) and Character-Based languages (such as, Chinese, Japanese, Russian) according to ACTFL standards.

To demonstrate the required proficiency, students may submit proof of a variety of possible foreign language experiences to the academic advisor who will then note the requirement as satisfied.

Presently, the basic CAS graduation requirement, which directly reflects the Washington State Board of Education college admissions requirements (revised May 2024) based on the Washington Higher Education Committee Guidelines, is:

• Two years of study at the High School level of the same Foreign Language. (Transcript required). This includes ASL (American Sign Language) or NAL (Native American Language).
  
  OR
• Two college semesters (or three quarters) study of the same foreign language at the community college or university level. (Transcript required)

The College of Arts and Sciences has determined that Foreign Language Proficiency not based on HS or college instruction can also be demonstrated by submitting documentation that proves one of the following:

• Residence abroad in a foreign language speaking country for at least two consecutive years, during the last five years. (Will need to submit documentation.)
• Study abroad in a foreign language country educational institution for at least a year. (Transcript required)
• Heritage speakers who have taken at least 1 year of the language in HS, and who speak the language more or less fluently at home. (Transcript required.)
• Passing the Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP) test with a minimum score of 4 or above in the four sections for European languages, and two sections for Character-based languages is required.
  • Students interested in taking the STAMP Test, will take an exam with Avant in the “4S” or “WS” test category in their chosen language, and the languages of ASL, Dutch, Hebrew or Latin:
    • There will be a fee requirement to take the exam.
    • The Avant exam results will be available in 7 – 10 business days.
    • Students should reach out to our Testing Coordinator, Laurie Heustis (heustis@wsu.edu) for instructions, and to receive their test score.
    • If students have earned the minimum score of 4, noted above, their academic advisor will enter the FL milestone in MyWSU to satisfy the CAS FL requirement.
  • If students have taken the STAMP 4S Test previously through their high school or other institution, within a two year period, and have earned the appropriate score of 4 or above in all four sections for European languages and the two sections for Character-based languages, this may also be approved on a case by case basis through the Testing Coordinator, Laurie Heustis (heustis@wsu.edu)
  • If high school students have earned the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy, this designation must be transcribed on the student’s high school transcript and/or submission of seal verified.  This Seal is earned with a score of 5 or above on all sections through the STAMP 4S or STAMP WS.
• Non-accredited intensive language training will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Students who have completed formal instruction in their primary/heritage language as well as formal instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) in their secondary education have met the intent of the foreign language requirement. Records indicating the successful completion of both languages are required to document the foreign language requirement.
• Records indicating the successful completion of ESL courses will satisfy the foreign language requirement.  

Petition to Substitute

To “Petition to Substitute” the CAS Foreign Language Graduation Requirement with an approved culture- related course, students will be required to do one of the following:

• If a disability or medical condition prevents you from meeting this requirement, please request reasonable accommodation through SADR.   Student Accommodations and Disability Resources (SADR). 
  • SADR will then contact the CAS Advising Director with their recommendations based on the approved accommodations.
  • Submit a letter that includes a statement from the student’s foreign-language course instructor whereby he/she certifies that the student has made a best-faith effort to complete the language course but is unable to complete it successfully.
  • Submit a letter and documentation describing unsuccessful past classroom experiences (at the high school or secondary education level) in foreign language learning.

Other extenuating circumstances that prevent students from completing courses in a foreign language, such as for students returning to higher education after a significant period in the workplace and who have demonstrated good faith efforts to fulfill the requirement, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Supporting documentation should be submitted as appropriate. Advisors and the College Dean will be required to sign a recommendation approving or denying these petitions.

Approval of the petition at any stage is not guaranteed but, for those that are, students may proceed to substitute one or two foreign language culture courses in lieu of language courses from below:

• ANTH 307; ANTH 350; ANTH/WGSS 316; ANTH 320/AIS320/CES 377; ANTH 327/AIS 327/CES 378
• ART 301
• ASIA/CHIN 111, 121, 131, 320
• FOR_LANG 101, 110, 120, 130, 410
• FRENCH 110, 120, 410, 420, 430
• GERMAN 110, 420
• HISTORY 230, 271, 272, 273, 274, 257, 306, 308, 331, 332, 334, 335, 370, 371, 372, 374, 377
• PHIL 314, 315
• SPANISH 110, 120, 121, 420

All courses are taught in English. The list of courses will be reviewed and updated periodically by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in consultation with the Director of the School of Languages, Cultures, and Race.

Any approved substitution is understood to be in addition to other college or university requirements, so will not double count for other general academic requirements. At the time the approved petition is sent to Graduations, a two-part exception needs to be requested. One to allow the course for the FL requirement and another to exclude the course from counting towards the UCORE requirement.

The Petition Process:

• See advisor to determine if extenuating circumstances exist that would justify substitution of approved cultural classes in lieu of a foreign language class. Be prepared to submit documentation of good faith efforts to fulfill requirement, or other supporting materials.
• Obtain petition form from advisor, follow instructions, have advisor make recommendation.
• Forward petition to the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences though the CUE Advising Center.
  • Note: Address inquiries and submit form to Chioma Heim at chioma.a.heim@wsu.edu.
• Notification letters will be issued to the student and advisor. Advisor will update student academic records via the graduations area.