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
Portuguese
Potawatomi
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 language program 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 the 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 first-year student, you can learn more about all of your course placement requirements at uwm.edu/freshmanplacement.
Credit for Previous Language Study
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement credit is earned for college level learning acquired through certain high school courses. Consult this document for details on which AP exams within World Languages & Cultures UWM recognizes and how credits may apply: UW-Milwaukee AP Guide (PDF)
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students who attend schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) can earn UWM credits by participating in the IB curriculum. Consult this document for details on which IB exams in Language Acquisition UWM recognizes and how credits may apply: UW-Milwaukee IB Guide (pdf)
Retroactive Credits
A student who tests beyond the first-semester course in a language can receive retroactive credits by completing the course that they place into with a grade of B or better. Learn more about Retroactive Credits.
Graduate Program Requirements
Many graduate programs require students to demonstrate reading knowledge in a language other than English. Please contact wlc-admin@uwm.edu to see what possibilities exist for graduate reading knowledge examinations for the language in question.