Learn how to get placed into your first Spanish course at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.
What is your most recent level of foreign language study?
One to Two Levels of High School Language Study
Students with 1-2 levels of high school language study do NOT NEED to take a placement test.
Determine your placement in a first-year course using the information below:
Spanish 1001
- If a student meets the criteria for enrollment in 1001 (less than 2 years of high school Spanish and/or three or more years away from Spanish language study), they will need a permission number to enroll. Permission numbers will be given starting the first day of registration for the entire University. When possible, the Department will confirm their previous language experience by looking at their high school transcript. Academic advisors can also contact the department on behalf of the student if the advisor can verify the student meets the Spanish 1001 enrollment criteria.
- To receive a permission number, please contact the department at [email protected].
Spanish 1002
- Spanish 1002 is currently only offered in spring semesters.
- Students must take Spanish 1001 at UMTC to qualify for Spanish 1002. Students who have taken one semester of Spanish at another institution should register for Spanish 1022. Students who have taken Spanish 1001 at UMTC may request a permission number from the course coordinator, Dr. Cecily Brown at [email protected].
Spanish 1022
- Spanish 1022 is an intensive, accelerated, semester-long beginning Spanish course designed for students who have had two or more years of high school Spanish, or one semester of college Spanish. This course is designed to prepare students for intermediate-level study in Spanish 1003. No permission number or placement test required.
- Any other questions, direct them to Megan DeLaCruz at 612-626-4629 or [email protected].
If you have had more than three months of foreign study in a formal language-learning program (e.g., an exchange program) or you speak the foreign language at home, your placement may have to be adjusted. See the section on foreign study/foreign language at home below.
Three Levels of High School Language Study
Students with 3 or more levels of high school language study should attempt the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) to place into a second-year course. The EPT is a three-hour test (online) consisting of three sections: reading, listening, and writing. You do not need to take all 3 sections in one sitting, but you must set aside one hour for each section.
If you score a HIGH PASS on each section of the EPT, and you feel your language skills are very strong, you may wish to attempt the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE). Students who pass the LPE fulfill their CLA Second Language Requirement and may register for a third-year course. Students who are successful on the LPE normally have perfect or near-perfect scores on the EPT and find the EPT to be easy.
College in the Schools (CIS) UMTC
Students who have completed Spanish through the College in the Schools program will continue with the course sequence. If a student completed SPAN 1003 through a U of M Twin Cities program, they will take SPAN 1004. If they have completed SPAN 1004, they may continue on to SPAN 3015 or 3011. The prerequisite for SPAN 3015 and 3011 is to pass the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE). Students usually take some sections of the LPE while they are enrolled in the CIS 1004 course. Any remaining sections of this test can be taken on campus.
For information on taking the LPE after SPAN 1003, check the information about the LPE SCREENING Test.
College Level Instruction
Students with previous college-level instruction at another college or university should consult their previous transcripts and syllabi to determine which course in the sequence of language courses they completed. Find the most recent language course you have completed (number of hours) on this chart to determine the appropriate test for placement.
| Most Recent College Course | UMTC Test to Take |
|---|---|
| First semester (70 - 75 hours) | No Test Required; Register for SPAN 1022 |
| Second semester (140 - 150 hours) | Attempt EPT |
| Third semester (210 - 225 hours) | Attempt EPT |
| Fourth semester (280 - 300 hours)* | Attempt LPE |
*Students completing a fourth-semester course at another college or university should consult their adviser to determine if the course fulfills the CLA Second Language Requirement. If the course fulfills the language requirement, then the LPE is needed only if the students want to continue in 3015.
A semester of language instruction at the University of Minnesota consists of 70 - 75 class hours. If your semester course offered less than 70 hours, adjust your placement procedure to a lower level regardless of the actual number of semesters you completed.
NOTE: Students are strongly advised against attempting the LPE if they do not have the suggested amount of college-level instruction or its equivalent, or if this instruction is not in the very recent past.
Students who pass the EPT will be placed in a second-year course.
Students who pass the LPE will have fulfilled their second-language requirement for CLA and may register for a third-year language course. Students who fail the LPE should contact the CLA Language Testing Program for more information.
Students who have studied the language abroad or use it at home
If you are interested in taking a second-year course (1003-1004) at U of M, you must first pass the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT).
If you are interested in taking a third-year course (3000-level), you must pass the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE).
If you want to start your language study in a first-year course, you do not need a placement test. See the course descriptions below for information on first-year courses.
Spanish Course Descriptions
First semester: starts beginning-level language instruction; does not require prior language study. Also open to students who have had less than 2 years of high school Spanish and/or have been away from Spanish study for three years or more. Departmental permission is required in advance to register for 1001.
Second semester: continues beginning-level language instruction; only available to students who have taken 1001 at U of M. Departmental permission is required in advance to register for 1002. Spanish 1002 is currently only offered in spring semesters.
Second-semester review: covers all 1002 materials and also provides an intensive review of structures taught in 1001; designed for students who have had 2 or more years of high school Spanish, or one semester of college Spanish, and are not ready for 1003. No permission number or placement test required.
Third semester: continues language instruction; students must pass either 1002, 1022, or the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) to register for 1003. Students who pass 1003 may continue into either 1004, 1044 or 1014.
Fourth semester: completes the intermediate-level language instruction which began in 1003; students take the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE) during 1004. Students may take 1014 or 1044 instead of 1004.
Business Spanish: completes the intermediate-level language instruction with a special emphasis on business communication. Students take the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE) during 1034. Students may not take 1004 and 1034.
Medical Spanish: completes the intermediate-level language instruction with a special emphasis on Spanish in the medical field. Students take the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE) during 1044. Students may not take 1004 and 1044.