Placement
How do I complete a world language placement?
- If you plan to take French, German, or Spanish at UWM, you will take the University of Wisconsin System Placement Exam. This test is required if you intend to enroll in one of these languages.
- For all other world languages at UWM, you will use the UWM World Languages Self-Assessment Tool below.
What is the UWM World Languages Self-Assessment Tool?
This free, online UWM World Languages Self-Assessment Tool is a tool for you and your advisor to help determine the appropriate level in which you should begin your studies at UWM. In addition to questions about your language abilities, it also asks about your language learning experiences, whether in the classroom or beyond.
The UWM World Languages Self-Assessment Tool will be used to help determine a placement recommendation in the following languages:
Ancient Greek
Arabic
Chinese
Hebrew
Hmong
Irish Gaelic
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Ojibwe
Oneida,
Potawatomi
Portuguese
Russian
You will be able to complete the UWM World Languages Self-Assessment Tool on a computer or mobile device. It takes about five minutes to complete.
You will see your placement recommendation immediately at the end of the assessment and will receive a copy at your UWM email address. Together, you and your advisor can use the UWM World Languages Self-Assessment Tool and your transcripts to place you in the best language class for your level, or to help you meet with a languages coordinator to confirm your placement. You are not required to complete a world language survey before enrolling in your first language course in one of the languages included; however, we strongly recommend it, as it sets you up for success by being enrolled in the most appropriate course for you.
Click the yellow button below to start the process. If you log into the UWM World Languages Self-Assessment Tool site below and do not see the option to complete the survey, please email our Director of L&S Web and Data, Dan Siercks at dsiercks@uwm.edu to request access. If you have lost your epanther ID or password or have other issues logging in, please visit our epanther ID help page or call our IT Department at 414-229-4040.
If you are an incoming freshman, you can learn more about all of your course placement requirements at First-Year Student / Freshman Course Placement
How to Earn Retro Credits
If you have already studied a language other than English, and you can place into the second semester of that language or higher, you may be able to earn retroactive credits. Retroactive credits award students with credits for previous courses in the language sequence. A student who places into second semester or higher, and completes that course with a grade of B or better earns retroactive credits.
For example, a student who completed a 5th semester French course with a grade of B or better could also earn 4 credits for 1st semester, 4 credits for 2nd semester, 3 credits for 3rd semester, and 3 credits for 4th semester French. Students can earn a maximum of 16 retro credits. Retroactive credits are only given in conjunction with the first language course taken at the university. Students should contact the appropriate foreign language program before the beginning of the semester to verify that the course that they are taking generates retroactive credits.
Please submit requests for Language Retro Credits after the grade has been posted in PAWS for the eligible course. Requests cannot be processed until the final grade is recorded.
Students can login to complete the form at: Student Form to Request Language Retro Credits.
Forms also may be submitted by advisors and language instructors on behalf of eligible students at:
Advisor/Instructor Form to Request Language Retro Credits.
AP Credits
A score of 3, 4, or 5 on an AP test gives the student credit in a given course or courses. If the student wants retroactive credits, s/he must take the next level course and meet the language department’s retroactive credit requirements to receive retro credits for courses preceding the one with which the AP score is associated.
IB Credits
Students who attend schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) can earn UWM credits by participating in the IB curriculum. Credit awarded depends on the level and content of the exam, the score earned, and the UWM degree being pursued. UWM recognizes both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) exams for credit.
Learn more about AP and IB transfer credit on the Registrar’s Common Transfer Opportunities.
Check with the individual program that you are interested in for details on its language requirement.
L&S Degree Requirements
Students pursuing a bachelor’s in the College of Letters in Science are required to complete the L&S Langauge other than English requiremnt. Please see details below:
- Students doing the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) must fulfill a language other than English requirement by either successfully completing the fourth semester of university work or equivalent in one language other than English, or by successfully completing the second semester of university work or equivalent in two languages other than English (including all languages other than English and American Sign Language). Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement.
- Students doing the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) must fulfill a language other than English requirement by successfully completing the second semester of university work or equivalent in one language other than English (including all languages other than English and American Sign Language). Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement.
Learn more about L&S degree requirements.
Important: As of Fall 2026, there is no longer a university-wide Language Other Than English graduation requirement. The requirements described above apply only to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the College of Letters & Science.
If you are unsure whether this requirement applies to you, please contact your academic advisor.
Can I meet my L&S Language other than English without taking any coursework?
Yes. Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement.
To inquire about these options, please contact ls-advising@uwm.edu.
Graduate Program Requirements
Many graduate programs require students to demonstrate reading knowledge of a language other than English. Some language programs may offer graduate reading knowledge testing. Please contact the Department of World Languages & Cultures at wlc-admin@uwm.edu to determine whether reading knowledge testing is available in a specific language program.