Foreign Language Requirement
The following chart will help you determine whether you need foreign language at your chosen transfer university. Some universities require foreign language for admissions AND graduation. If you need to take foreign language, it is highly recommended that you take these classes at the community college level before transferring.
It is also important that you complete course sequences before transferring. The organization of the material will usually vary from college to college. For example, if you need the first year of a foreign language, you should complete it at the community college level.
UNIVERSITY |
Transfer with fewer than 40 credits |
Transfer with 40 or more credits |
Transfer With AA or AS Degree |
Graduation Requirement |
Central Washington University |
2 years in high school OR 3 quarters in college |
None |
None |
Most BAs require 2 years in high school OR 3 quarters in college (see note 2) |
Eastern Washington University |
2 years in high school OR 3 quarters in college |
None |
None |
Most BAs require 2 years in high school OR 3 quarters in college (see note 2) |
The Evergreen State College |
2 years in high school OR 2 quarters in college |
None |
None |
None |
Pacific Lutheran University |
2 years in high school (with an overall C average ) OR 3 quarters in college |
2 years in high school (with an overall C average) OR 3 quarters in college |
2 years in high school (with an overall C average) OR 3 quarters in college |
Depends on the major. |
Seattle Pacific University |
None |
None |
None (does NOT need to fulfill the graduation requirement) |
3 years in high school OR 3 quarters in college (must earn min. 2.0 GPA in 3rd year/quarter) |
Seattle University |
2 years in high school (college level not mandatory if not completed in high school) |
None |
None |
For majors within the College of Arts and Sciences and Int'l Business: 3 quarters in college |
University of Puget Sound |
At least 2 years in high school is recommended |
None |
None |
3 quarters in college See note 7 below. |
University of Washington |
2 years in high school OR 2 quarters in college |
2 years in high school OR 2 quarters in college |
2 years in high school OR 2 quarters in college |
For majors within the Arts and Sciences, Occupational Therapy, and Social Work: through the 3rd quarter in college (must earn min. 2.0 GPA in 3rd quarter |
UW-Bothell (see note 6 below) |
2 years in high school or 2 quarters in college |
2 years in high school or 2 quarters in college |
2 years in high school or 2 quarters in college |
None |
Washington State University |
2 years in high school OR 3 quarters in college |
None |
None |
For majors within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: 2 years in high school OR 3 quarters in college |
Western Washington University |
2 years in high school OR 2 quarters in college |
None |
None |
None |
Additional Information:
1. Students planning to attend a four-year institution should always verify the foreign language admission and graduation requirements for their specific major.
2. Students need to verify the foreign language graduation requirements for their specific major
3. In order to satisfy the foreign language requirements, students must complete a single language. (One year of high school Spanish and one year of high school Japanese will not meet the requirements nor will one college quarter of Spanish and one college quarter of Japanese).
4. University of Washington only: the foreign language admission requirement will be considered satisfied for students from non-English speaking countries who entered the U.S. educational system at the 8th grade or later.
5. All colleges: any student who is demonstratively bilingual may meet the foreign language admission and graduation requirements. Consult with your school(s) of choice for verification.
6. University of Washington-Bothell does not have a graduation requirement for any of the majors. Students will still need to meet the admission requirement of 2 years in high school or 2 quarters in college.
7. The four-year state institutions that accept American Sign Language (ASL) as a foreign language include: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Evergreen State College, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle Pacific University, University of Puget Sound, Seattle University, University of Washington, Washington State University, and Western Washington University.
8. Exemptions to these rules are always dealt with on a case-by-case basis.