AP and Honors - Department of Romance Languages and Literatures Skip Navigation

Advanced Placement and Honors

We believe strongly in recognizing high achievement and honors-level work. Learn more about how we recognize the scholarly accomplishments of our students.
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Advanced Placement Credit

University credit is automatically granted to entering students who achieve a score of 4 or higher on AP examinations in language or literature in French and Spanish. Major credit is granted for a score of 5.

The following course equivalents are established: In French, language grade of 4 = 202; language grade of 5 = 301; literature grade of 4 = 202; literature grade of 5 = 399. In Spanish, language grade of 4 = 202; language grade of 5 = 361 or 362; literature grade of 4 = 202; literature grade of 5 = 399.

Students with an AP language grade of 3 may take FREN 202 or SPAN 202 or higher. Students with an AP language or literature grade of 4 or higher must register at the 300 level if they continue their study of French or Spanish.

The registrar has additional information about earning advanced placement credit.

Honors Designation

Departmental honors require a GPA of 3.0 and an average in all major courses of 3.3. If you are interested in pursuing an honors designation, you must select a topic and adviser for an honors paper. Then you must register for FREN or SPAN 490 Honors during one semester of your senior year. For that course, you will write a paper of significant length and depth on the topic you have chosen.

If your paper receives a grade of A- or higher, you will receive honors. If you receive anything else, it is simply recorded like any other course grade.

High Honors Designation

Departmental high honors requires a GPA of 3.0 and an average in all major courses of 3.7. If you are interested in pursuing a high honors designation, you must select a topic and adviser for a high honors thesis. Then you must register for FREN or SPAN 491 Independent Study during the first semester of your senior year. For that course, you will compile a bibliography, gather materials, and begin preparing a thesis. You will then register for FREN or SPAN 490 Honors in your final semester to complete the thesis.

The final version of your thesis will serve as the basis for an oral examination by three or more members of the faculty. The quality of your thesis and of your oral defense determines whether the student receives high honors (A or higher), honors (A–), or merely a grade.

Honors Course Credit

A 490-course registration must be in addition to the minimum major requirement. The expected length of an honors paper or high honors thesis is established by the adviser in consultation with the department chair.
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