Language Prerequisites
The Scripps faculty Committee on Study Abroad (COSA) views foreign language preparation as essential for optimal cultural integration on a study abroad program. Scripps students are expected to meet the following minimum Scripps requirements to study in any location where the local language is taught at the Claremont Colleges, including:
Arabic: Completion of ARBC 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Studies should consult with the chair of the MENA Studies department about classes abroad that fulfill requirements. Students planning to major or minor in Arabic Studies are advised to consult with the chair of the Arabic Studies department at Claremont McKenna about requirements.
Chinese (Mandarin) : Completion of CHIN 001B (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major in Chinese are advised to consult with the chair of the Chinese Language department at Pomona about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
French: Students must complete FREN 044 (or its equivalent for four semesters), prior to participation. Some programs may have higher requirements. Students planning to enroll in classes at a local university are advised to take at least one 100 level class (the equivalent of 5 semesters). Note: For students who test out of the required level (unless a native speaker) - many programs will require at least one recent, college-level course on the Scripps transcript. Students who take the placement exam and test above FREN 044 are strongly advised to take a language class in the semester immediately prior to participation.
German: Students must complete GERM 044 (or the equivalent of four semesters), prior to participation. Some programs may have higher requirements. Students planning to enroll in classes at a local university are advised to take at least one 100 level class (the equivalent of 5 semesters). Note: For students who test out of the required level (unless a native speaker) - many programs will require at least one recent, college-level course in the language on the Scripps transcript. Students who take the placement exam and test above GERM 044 are strongly advised to take a language class in the semester immediately prior to participation.
Italian : Completion of ITAL 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major in Italian or Italian Studies are advised to consult with the chair of the Italian department about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Japanese: Completion of JAPN 001B (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Japanese are advised to consult with the chair of the Japanese Language department at Pomona about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Korean: Completion of KORE 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Korean Studies are advised to consult with the chair of the Korean Studies department at Claremont McKenna about requirements.
Portuguese: Completion of PORT 01 (or the equivalent of one semester), is required prior to participation. Students who have completed their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters in a Romance language (French, Italian or Spanish) are also eligible. Students planning to major or minor in Portuguese are advised to consult with the chair of the Modern Languages department at Pitzer about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Russian: Completion of RUSS 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Russian are advised to consult with the chair of the Russian Language department at Pomona about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Spanish: Students must complete SPAN 044 (or its equivalent of four semesters), prior to participation. Some programs may have higher requirements. Students planning to enroll in classes at a local university are advised to take at least one 100 level class (the equivalent of 5 semesters). Note: For students who test out of the required level (unless a native speaker) - many programs will require at least one recent, college-level course on the Scripps transcript. Students who take the placement exam and test above SPAN 044 are strongly advised to take a language class in the semester immediately prior to participation.
Other languages: There is no Scripps language requirement if the host country language is not taught at the Claremont Colleges (e.g., Danish, Dutch, Nepali, Swahili etc.). Scripps students are required to take a course in the language of the host country in any location where the primary official language is not English.
Note: The Scripps College foreign language prerequisites for study abroad may surpass program sponsor requirements. Scripps students are expected to meet the Scripps language requirement with the following exceptions:
Arabic: Completion of ARBC 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Studies should consult with the chair of the MENA Studies department about classes abroad that fulfill requirements. Students planning to major or minor in Arabic Studies are advised to consult with the chair of the Arabic Studies department at Claremont McKenna about requirements.
Chinese (Mandarin) : Completion of CHIN 001B (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major in Chinese are advised to consult with the chair of the Chinese Language department at Pomona about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
French: Students must complete FREN 044 (or its equivalent for four semesters), prior to participation. Some programs may have higher requirements. Students planning to enroll in classes at a local university are advised to take at least one 100 level class (the equivalent of 5 semesters). Note: For students who test out of the required level (unless a native speaker) - many programs will require at least one recent, college-level course on the Scripps transcript. Students who take the placement exam and test above FREN 044 are strongly advised to take a language class in the semester immediately prior to participation.
German: Students must complete GERM 044 (or the equivalent of four semesters), prior to participation. Some programs may have higher requirements. Students planning to enroll in classes at a local university are advised to take at least one 100 level class (the equivalent of 5 semesters). Note: For students who test out of the required level (unless a native speaker) - many programs will require at least one recent, college-level course in the language on the Scripps transcript. Students who take the placement exam and test above GERM 044 are strongly advised to take a language class in the semester immediately prior to participation.
Italian : Completion of ITAL 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major in Italian or Italian Studies are advised to consult with the chair of the Italian department about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Japanese: Completion of JAPN 001B (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Japanese are advised to consult with the chair of the Japanese Language department at Pomona about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Korean: Completion of KORE 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Korean Studies are advised to consult with the chair of the Korean Studies department at Claremont McKenna about requirements.
Portuguese: Completion of PORT 01 (or the equivalent of one semester), is required prior to participation. Students who have completed their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters in a Romance language (French, Italian or Spanish) are also eligible. Students planning to major or minor in Portuguese are advised to consult with the chair of the Modern Languages department at Pitzer about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Russian: Completion of RUSS 002 (or the equivalent of two semesters), is required prior to participation. Students can complete their foreign language general education requirement of three semesters with a language class at the appropriate level while studying abroad. Students planning to major or minor in Russian are advised to consult with the chair of the Russian Language department at Pomona about classes abroad that can be approved for fulfilling requirements.
Spanish: Students must complete SPAN 044 (or its equivalent of four semesters), prior to participation. Some programs may have higher requirements. Students planning to enroll in classes at a local university are advised to take at least one 100 level class (the equivalent of 5 semesters). Note: For students who test out of the required level (unless a native speaker) - many programs will require at least one recent, college-level course on the Scripps transcript. Students who take the placement exam and test above SPAN 044 are strongly advised to take a language class in the semester immediately prior to participation.
Other languages: There is no Scripps language requirement if the host country language is not taught at the Claremont Colleges (e.g., Danish, Dutch, Nepali, Swahili etc.). Scripps students are required to take a course in the language of the host country in any location where the primary official language is not English.
Note: The Scripps College foreign language prerequisites for study abroad may surpass program sponsor requirements. Scripps students are expected to meet the Scripps language requirement with the following exceptions:
- The Italian language requirement is waived for Classics majors studying at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS) in Rome. Students must have completed their foreign language requirement with either Ancient Greek or Latin.
- The Arabic language requirement for American University in Beirut (AUB) is waived for non-MENA Studies majors if the foreign language requirement has been met in another language. Students are required to take a Arabic language course as one of their classes at AUB.
- Students with a strong interest in learning an additional foreign language may petition to study in certain locations after completing the the general education requirement in another foreign language. Students should meet with the chair of the department for the second foreign language to request permission to study with a lower level of previous language study. The student must meet the minimum language level required by the program sponsor.