Language Placement, Testing, and Transfer Credit
At The Ohio State University, there are many language options from which to choose. The French and Italian Department offers not only language skills at a beginning level, but also immersion into the widespread cultural heritage of the two languages. The Language Program is perfect for students looking to satisfy their GE World Language Requirement, or for students who would like to begin studying French or Italian. The Language Program consists of French or Italian 1101-1103. This three-course sequence satisfies the GE World Language Requirement.
Contacts
French - Dr. Kelly Campbell
Italian - Prof. April Weintritt
Placement Test for French or Italian
When do students take a Placement Test?
Many students take the placement test during Orientation. If you do not take it during orientation, French & Italian placement tests are available online. Please read information on the placement test website thoroughly and then refer to the instructional PDF above listed under the language you plan to test for. Contact the cllc@osu.edu or call at 292-4361 if you have any questions. It is strongly advised that you begin your language courses immediately after you have taken the placement test.
Who takes the test?
Students with any previous French or Italian experience must take the language placement test before registering for a French or Italian course.
All Heritage Learners (one who speaks another language elsewhere) who graduated from a high school where the main language of instruction was English should also take a placement test. Heritage Learners may choose to test in their heritage language or a world language that they had two or more years in high school.
Are there circumstances for which the Placement Test requirement may be waived?
In the case of students with a learning disability, special arrangements and/or petitions may be initiated through the Office for Disability Services. If the students have been out of high school for over five years or are 22 years of age or older, the Placement Test need not to be taken unless they wish to begin at a level higher than 1101.01. Native speakers of French or Italian should contact the Department if they wish to take courses.
What if students have already taken a nationally recognized placement test in a language?
Students who have successfully passed an Advanced Placement, CLEP, or IB examination are awarded credit and placement proportionate to the score obtained. These students do not normally need to take the OSU placement test, but when going through orientation they should verify that their scores have been received.
How many times can students take a placement test in each language?
Students can only take a placement test once in each language.
How do you know what course you've placed into?
For French, placement into a course is made according to both placement test score and number of years of high school study. For Italian, placement is determined by your placement test score.
Will I receive EM credit as a result of my Placement test?
No, EM credit is not awarded for the placement test. Students are expected to enroll in the course in which they placed.
How do students find out the test results?
When students take the French and Italian computerized language Placement Tests, results are obtained immediately.
What happens if students find that placement is unsatisfactory?
Students are asked to contact the appropriate language director to discuss their test results.
- French - Dr. Kelly Campbell
- Italian - Prof. April Weintritt
AP, IB, CLEP, and Transfer Credit
The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs approved for French and Italian EM credit at OSU are listed below. Students who desire to earn EM credit through Advanced Placement or IB must have their official score reports sent to the Admissions Office, SAS Building, 281 W. Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43210. Contact AP at 1-888-225-5427 or IB at 1-301-202-3121 to designate Ohio State University as an official score recipient.
AP Score Credit for French Language and Culture Test
- Score of 3 receives 8 credit hours (French 1101 and 1102) = Enrollment in French 1103
- Score of 4 receives 12 credit hours (French 1101, 1102, and 1103) = Enrollment in French 2101
- Score 5 receives 15 credit hours (French 1101, 1102, 1103 and 2101) = Enrollment in French 3000+ level
AP Score Credit for Italian Language and Culture Test
- Score of 3 receives 8 credit hours (Italian 1101 and 1102) = Enrollment in Italian 1103
- Score of 4 receives 12 credit hours (Italian 1101, 1102, and 1103) = Enrollment in Italian 2102
- Score 5 receives 15 credit hours (Italian 1101, 1102, 1103 and 2102) = Enrollment in Italian 3000+ level
IB (High Level or HL) Score Credit
- French A: Language and Literature score of 6+ receives 8 credit hours (French 1101 & 1102) = Enrollment in French 1103.
- French A: Literature score of 6+ receives 8 credit hours (French 1101 & 1102) = Enrollment in French 1103.
- French B score of 6+ receives 8 credit hours (French 1101 & 1102) = Enrollment in French 1103.
- IB Standard Level scores not accepted for credit.
Visit the Prior Learning Assessment webpages at the University Registrar for more information about AP and IB Tests, scores, and credit awarded
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests are computer based tests administered in the Office of Testing at Ohio State University. For information about registration, fees, and credit posting, visit the Prior Learning Assessment webpages at the University Registrar - CLEP.
CLEP Exam Level Credit for French
- Score of 55-64, Level 1, receives 8 credit hours (French 1101 and 1102) = Enrollment in French 1103
- Score of 65+, Level 2, receives 16 credit hours (Spanish 1101, 1102, 1103, and French general elective credit) = Enrollment in French 2101
A transfer student is one who has completed undergraduate coursework at an accredited university or college other than Ohio State (international or domestic), and who has transferred to an OSU degree program. If a student has completed Dual Enrollment or College Credit Plus (CCP) courses through an institution other than OSU, these courses are also reported as Transfer Credit on your academic record and may need evaluated.
- Students now access their transfer credit evaluation in Buckeye Degree Planner.
- Transfer Credit Evaluation - The Ohio State University provides step-by-step instructions for students to view their evaluation.
- How to view your transfer credit evaluation
- How to understand your Transfer Credit Evaluation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Transfer Credit Evaluation - The Ohio State University provides step-by-step instructions for students to view their evaluation.
NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to provide all required and requested information to facilitate the credit evaluation process. Transfer credit requests will remain pending until all required or requested