Nursing Language Requirement and Placement

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 beneficial for personal and professional advancement.

Spanish 0340: Intermediate Spanish I and II: Accelerated
Penn Summer in Madrid
Study Abroad Options
Certificate in Spanish Language
Intermediate Spanish for the Medical Professions courses SPAN 0305 and 0405
Advanced Spanish for the Medical Professions SPAN 1005 (offered in Spring semester)