language exams – Elliott School Graduate Student Services

Policy Reminder: Using Language Courses to Count Toward Your MA Degree

GradAdvisorSeptember 10, 2015Leave a comment

Most of our MA programs require students to demonstrate proficiency in a modern foreign language. Some students choose to take language courses as preparation to meet the language requirement. If you are considering taking a language course, please review the following policy on how many credits of language coursework, if any, can count toward the 40 credits required for your degree:

Regional Programs: With Program Director approval, graduate students in regional programs can apply a maximum of 6 credits of advanced, content based courses (i.e., not language acquisition courses) toward their degree.

Non-Regional Programs (*except SPS, ISTP, IDS): With Program Director approval, graduate students can apply a maximum of 6 credits of language courses toward the electives. In consultation with the student, the Program Director will determine which level language course and how many credits of language are appropriate for the student’s Plan of Study.

SPS, ISTP, IDS: No foreign language credits can be applied toward the graduate degree unless approved by Program Director under special circumstances.

Students are welcome to take language courses in addition to their required 40 credits. Please note, language courses are not accepted as transfer credit.

FAQ of the week: How do I take a language course?

GradAdvisorMay 22, 2015Leave a comment

The most commonly asked question among incoming students this week was about enrolling in language courses at GW. Here's more information on that topic:

All language courses at GW, with the exception of the professional skills language courses (IAFF 6504) are undergraduate courses, but graduate students can enroll in these courses.

To enroll in professional skills language courses, you will need to take an online diagnostic test and follow the process outlined here.

To enroll in a traditional language course, you will need to take a placement exam offered through that language's department:
Department of Romance, German, and Slavic languages
Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations
Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures

As a reminder, not all programs allow language courses to count for credit toward the degree, and not all programs allow the foreign language requirement to be met through coursework. Check your program's Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement page for more information on meeting the requirement.

Open Hour Conversation with the Deans of Academic Programs from the Elliott School

GradAdvisorApril 1, 2013Leave a comment

mochizuki-michael-hr stephenson-lisa

Associate Dean Mochizuki and Assistant Dean Stephenson would like to invite you to have an open conversation with them and share your opinions about your experience here at the Elliott School. This open hour conversation will be held on April 19 from 4:00pm - 5:00pm in the Suite 401 conference room of 1957 E St and is open to all Elliott School Graduate students, so feel free to tell your friends!

Please click HERE to RSVP and let us know if you can attend as soon as possible, but by no later than April 12. The deans look forward to meeting with you!

Mandatory pre-registration for language exams is open.

GradAdvisorJanuary 25, 2013Leave a comment

Ready to take your foreign language proficiency exam? The pre-registration process and deadlines have been announced. The pre-registration process is required because it makes it possible to reserve space and faculty to administer the exams. If you don't pre-register, you won't be able to take the GW administered exam until Fall 2013.

Check your GW e-mail for links to the pre-registration website. If you didn't receive the e-mail, contact your academic advisor. Pre-registration closes February 11th.