Nursing Language Requirement and Placement

Language Requirement & Placement for Nursing Students 

Nursing students entering Fall 2023 and beyond have a 2-semester requirement. Nursing students entering before Fall 2023 have a 4-semester requirement.

Nursing students fulfill the 2-semester Nursing language requirement by completing two semesters of beginning language (SPAN 0100/0105 and SPAN 0200/0205/0210) or by demonstrating that they have achieved an equivalent level (see chart below). 

Many students enter Penn having already satisfied the language requirement by appropriate exam scores AP, SAT II, or IB Higher Level examinations. Official scores must be sent directly to Penn from the College Board. 

Students with previous knowledge of Spanish who have not already fulfilled the language requirement are required to take the in-person Departmental Exam during New Student Orientation (NSO). Make-up exams are offered a few times a semester.

Nursing students can fulfill their language requirement in Spanish in one of the following ways:

Placement via the SAT II 

Score Placement

below 380

Spanish 0100: Elementary Spanish I

380-440

Spanish 0210: Elementary Spanish I and II: Advanced Beginners

450-540

Fulfills Nursing language requirement and places students into Spanish 0300

550-640

Fulfills Nursing language requirement and places students into Spanish 0400: Intermediate Spanish II
   

Placement via the AP examinations

 

Score Placement

AP Spanish Language or Literature score of 1
  • Students must take the departmental placement exam

AP Spanish Language or Literature score of 2
  • Students must take the departmental placement exam

AP Spanish Language or Literature score of 3
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Students wishing to continue studying Spanish must take the departmental placement exam

AP Spanish Language or Literature score of 4
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • No credit given
  • Students wishing to continue studying Spanish should enroll in SPAN 1000

AP Spanish Language score of 5
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for SPAN 1000
  • Students wishing to continue in Spanish may enroll in Spanish 1200
  • Students may also consider SPAN 1005 or SPAN 1010 and can consult with the Undergraduate Chair

AP Spanish Literature score of 5
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for SPAN 1200
  • Students wishing to continue in Spanish may enroll in Spanish 1800 or 1900
  • Students may also consider SPAN 1005 or SPAN 1010 and can consult with the Undergraduate Chair

Placement via the IB Higher Level examinations

 

Score Placement

Standard Level IB any score
  • Students can not use their score for placement purposes
  • Students must complete the departmental placement exam to determine the appropriate course level

6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level B examination
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Students wishing to continue in Spanish may enroll in SPAN 1000.
  • Students may also consider SPAN 1005 or 1010. 

5 on the IB Higher Level A examination
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for SPAN 1000
  • Students wishing to continue in Spanish may enroll in SPAN 1200.
  • Students may also consider SPAN 1005 or 1010

6 or 7 on the IB Higher Level A examination
  • Fulfills language requirement
  • Receive credit for SPAN 1200
  • Students wishing to continue studying Spanish should enroll in SPAN 1200 or consult the Undergraduate Chair
  • Students may also consider SPAN 1005 or 1010. 
   

Departmental Exams 

Information on the next scheduled department make-up exam can be found on the Spanish homepage.

Continuing with Spanish after Fulfilling the Language Requirement

Nursing students are encouraged to continue their study of Spanish after fulfilling the language requirement. The Spanish department offers courses, certifications, the major, the minor, Penn Global Seminars, the Summer in Madrid program, and other Study Abroad options that allow students to gain an advanced knowledge of the language that can be benefiical for personal and professional advancement.