Proficiency in a Language Not Taught at Northwestern

What languages satisfy this requirement?

Students may request proficiency testing in languages not taught at Northwestern, including Amharic, Modern Greek, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, and American Sign Language (ASL).  Please follow the procedure outlined below.  

Note: If you are seeking proficiency based on attending a high school where English was not the primary language of instruction, see the instructions below.

Complete and submit a petition form

Submit the Petition for Testing in a Language not Taught at Northwestern. The petition should be submitted before the end of the student's first quarter at Northwestern. If a student completes an interschool transfer from a school at Northwestern that does not have a language proficiency requirement, the petition should be submitted before the end of the student's first quarter in their new home school.

Pass a proficiency examination

The Language Proficiency Committee will attempt to locate a qualified tester in that language. Should a qualified tester not be found within the Northwestern University community, the Committee will make a limited but reasonable effort to locate an academically qualified tester at another U.S. university.

Once a qualified tester has been located, you must make an appointment for an examination. After the proficiency examination has been administered, your tester will submit a report and recommendation to the Language Proficiency Committee. The Committee will then make its final determination on the petition.

If no qualified tester can be found within one academic quarter, your petition will be denied and you will need to fulfill the Weinberg College language proficiency requirement in a language taught at Northwestern.

If a student does not pass the proficiency exam, they may not request to be re-tested at a later date, and must instead fulfill the Weinberg College language proficiency requirement in a language taught at Northwestern.

Proficiency Based on Attending a High School Where English was not the Primary Language of Instruction

If you attended a full-time high school for at least two years where a language other than English was the primary language of instruction, you may be able to demonstrate proficiency in that language without being tested. To seek proficiency based on this coursework, submit the Petition for Proficiency Based on Attending a non-English High School and upload the required supporting documentation:

• transcripts from all high schools attended, translated into English
• letter of verification from a high school official stating directly that the coursework reflected on the student's transcript(s) was taught primarily in a language other than English and listing any classes not taught in that language. The letter must contain the official's title and email contact.

Updated 12/2024