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Indiana University Bloomington
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Foreign Language Requirement

Global Village

"An essential component of U.S. national security in the post-9/11 world is the ability to engage foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical regions, to encourage reform, promote understanding, convey respect for other cultures and provide an opportunity to learn more about America and its citizens."
- U.S. National Security Language Initiative

Proficiency in a second (or even a third!) language is the mark of an educated person — a citizen of the world who has wide horizons of opportunity, a broad outlook on the different cultures of the world, and a depth of understanding about human communication and interaction. The College of Arts and Sciences requires all undergraduate majors to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, and offers instruction in languages from Azeri to Zulu.

  • The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees require proficiency through the fourth semester of a single foreign language.
  • The Bachelor of Science degrees require proficiency through the second or third semester of a single foreign language.  See individual degree description for exact requirement.

Students take a placement test during Orientation before their first year at Indiana University; some or all of the foreign language requirement can be fulfilled through this placement test. 

  • Two semesters of high school instruction in a language are roughly equivalent to a single semester at the College level
  • BA students must demonstrate fourth- semester proficiency in a single language to earn the degree.

Consult the Undergraduate Bulletin and your academic advisor for information on how to complete the foreign language requirement.