Who is my major field advisor?

          Your major field advisor is listed in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Catalog.    Simply click on "Bachelor of Arts" in the Foreign Languages and Literatures section to see a list of undergraduate advisors in French, German or Spanish. 

How do I make an appointment for advising?

          The best way to make an advising appointment is to email your advisor directly.  You can find their email in the faculty and staff look-up at the UMKC home page.

How do I apply for graduation (Bachelor of Arts)?

          First, check the UMKC academic calendar to find the graduation application deadline for the semester you plan to graduate.  Second, complete an application for graduation on Pathway.  Finally, students who are working toward a Bachelor of Arts must speak with an academic advisor in Arts and Sciences AND in their major field of study to make sure they have fulfilled all graduation requirements.  Do this the semester before you plan to graduate in order to allow sufficient time and planning for fulfilling requirements.

How do I apply for graduation (Master of Arts in Romance Languages)?

          You should have an open dialogue with your faculty advisor throughout your graduate study to make sure you are aware of the graduation requirements for the Master of Arts in Romance Languages.  The semester before you plan to graduate, follow these steps:

First, check the UMKC academic calendar to find the graduation application deadline for the semester you plan to graduate.  Second, complete an application for graduation on Pathway.  You MUST be enrolled in courses the semester you plan to graduate.  Finally, see your faculty advisor to make sure you have fulfilled all of your graduation requirements.

Credit by exam and CLEP

I have already studied French, German or Spanish.  How can I get credit for foreign language courses by examination?

          To earn credit for a foreign language course by examination, students should first speak to the undergraduate advisor of the language they wish to test out of.  For Spanish, students should contact Luis Beláustegui at 235-2824.  For French and German, see ADVISING on this page for contact information.  After seeing an advisor, arrangements must be made with an instructor to take the final examination WITH the appropriate class. 

Forms are available at registration.  One form is needed for EACH course the student wishes to test out of.  The signatures of the registrar, instructor, dean and cashier must be obtained, in that order.  The fee must be paid and the instructor must receive the signed, completed form before the student may take the examination.  A minimum grade of C is necessary to receive credit.

I already speak and read beginning French, German or Spanish and I don't want to pay to take these courses.  How can I test out of my requirement for 110 and 120 foreign language courses?

          For a reasonable fee, it is possible to test out of 110 or 120 foreign language courses by taking a CLEP test.  CLEP is available for no more and no less than the first 10 hours of French, German or Spanish.  A passing score is necessary to receive credit.  Contact the UMKC Counseling, Health and Testing Center to arrange for the exam.  Tests must be scheduled approximately 6 weeks in advance. If you are also testing for CLEP credit in other subject areas, be sure to inquire at Arts & Sciences Advising about the total maximum possible CLEP credit hours.

Equivalency

How can I find out if the foreign language courses I have taken at another college or university will transfer to UMKC?

          Go UMKC's Arts & Sciences course equivalency web site.  To reach the site, go to cas.umkc.edu/advising and click on the Course Equivalency link or click here.

I am a native speaker of a language other than English.  How can I get an exemption for the Arts & Sciences foreign language requirement?

          If you are a native speaker of a language other than English and have completed the majority of your primary and/or secondary education in that language, you may be eligible for an exemption of the Arts & Sciences foreign language requirement.  To determine your eligibility and to receive your exemption, contact Jeannette García by phone at 235-1311 or in person at Scofield Hall 216.

Placement Exam

Is there a test that will tell me what level of French, German or Spanish to enroll in?

          Yes.  If you would like to enroll in French, German or Spanish but are not sure which course to enroll in first, you can take the Placement Test.  The department suggests that all students who have already taken some French, German or Spanish take the Placement Test.  Based on the score you receive on the test, you will be able to determine the correct language course to begin with.  The test is available anytime online at the Foreign Languages and Literatures home page.  Simply click on the Placement Test link and follow the instructions.

What study abroad programs does the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offer?

          The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers summer, semester or year-long study abroad programs in French, German or Spanish.  For more information go to the French, German or Spanish section web page or see a faculty advisor for that language.  Other study abroad programs are offered through the Office of International Academic Programs.

Does the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offer tutor or translator services?

          The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers free tutors in French, German and Spanish to current students.  For more information visit the web page of the Language Resource Center.  You can find a link to the LRC at the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures home page.

If you are not currently a UMKC student, we can provide you with a list of tutors of various languages, from the community, who have provided us with their contact information.  These tutors are not a service of the Department of Foreign Languages and we cannot recommend them.  We simply pass along their contact information.  To request a list of tutors, email us at frn-lg@umkc.edu.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures does not offer translator services.  We do, however, have a list of people in the community who would like to offer personal translating services.  We can provide a list of these contacts upon request.  You may also try the following website for a translator listing: www.ata-micata.org.  For more information and to request a list of contacts, email us at frn-lg@umkc.edu.