Policies
Foreign Languages, Experiential and Native Speakers
Language Placement is a great resource for all languages taught at UNC. This is also a great place to learn more about the Foreign Language Placement Coordinators for each language, as well as the placement exams times/locations.
All students must complete through the third level of a foreign language. This does not mean that you have to complete three courses at UNC, just through the third level. For instance, if you place into level 2 of a foreign language, you only need to complete level 2 and 3 to fulfill the general education requirement. If you place into level 3, you would only need to pass the level 3 course and you are done!
If you believe you have placed into the wrong level of the language you plan to study, we encourage you to sign up for the level you were placed into. After attending class for a day or two, you may speak with the instructor about possibly changing your placement level.
- Latin: If you place into LATN 204 or higher based on the UNC-CH online placement exam, and do not have LATN 203 BE from another test, you are required to take Part II of the UNC-CH exam to earn LATN 203 BE and place out of the UNC-CH foreign language requirement. Students who fall into this category will be contacted by the Department of Classics to schedule taking Part II.
- Chinese, Japanese or Korean: If you have experience in Chinese, Japanese or Korean and wish to continue study of the language at UNC-CH, you must take the on-campus placement exam regardless of any IB, SAT or AP test scores.
A student is considered an experiential speaker if the student:
- Grew up speaking a language* other than English or lived several years in another country, and;
- Is conversant and literate in that language* (based on UNC-CH language departmental standards) and English.
*The language must be currently offered at UNC.
For academic purposes, a student is considered a native speaker of a language other than English if the student:
- Was raised in a country outside of the U.S., and;
- Was formally educated through all or most of high school in a language other than English.
To verify that you are an experiential speaker, you must:
- A student meeting the above criteria may take a placement test in that language (if it is currently offered at UNC-CH). In this case:
- The placement test is for placement only.
- No academic credit will be awarded.
- If the student places beyond Level 3 (usually numbered 203 or 403), the placement credit for the language may be used to fulfill the General Education Foreign Language requirement.
To verify status as a native speaker, students must complete an online questionnaire, which will be reviewed by the College of Arts & Sciences. An in-person interview may be required to confirm status.
Upon verification of status as a native speaker of a language other than English, the student:
- May use ENGL 105, or its transfer equivalent, to satisfy the General Education Foreign Language requirement.
- May not be awarded academic credit hours for Levels 1 through 4 of the native language(s).
- May, upon recommendation of the appropriate UNC-CH language department, receive credit for courses taken at UNC-CH beyond Level 4, if those courses are heavily based on literature, film, culture or other content.
Pass/Fail
Courses can be declared pass/fail beginning the fifth day of classes through the eighth week of classes for the fall and spring semesters. The deadline to declare a course pass/fail is posted on the registrar’s academic calendar each term. To declare a course pass/fail, you must come into Academic Advising during drop-in hours to see an advisor in order to obtain a paper copy of the pass/fail form. Read more about the rules, regulations and the pass/fail policy.
Resolving Temporary Grades
We encourage you to work closely with your faculty to resolve temporary grades as promptly as possible. This worksheet was developed to serve as a guide for you to complete the remaining coursework in a timely manner.
We encourage you to reach out with any questions about these policies, and to develop a plan to resolve your temporary grades.
Final Exam Excuses
Certain circumstances warrant the rescheduling of a final exam. You may need to see a dean in the Academic Advising Program, as well as provide documentation, for some excuses. An exam excuse is commonly granted for: Three Exams in 24 Hours or Two Exams at the Same Time In the case of a scheduling issue such as three exams that start within a 24-hour period or two exams at the same time, students may submit an online request or see an advisor about obtaining an exam excuse during drop-in hours (after the 8th week of class in fall and spring terms or the 3rd day of class in summer terms). Advisors can discuss, clarify policy, and issue excuses if warranted. Religious Observance Students may be excused for a final exam for religious observances required by their faith. Students are advised to see a dean in the Academic Advising Program in these circumstances. Illness Students who are seriously ill during the time of their final exams should consult Campus Health Services (CHS) or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) about having their names entered on the Examination Excuse List. Students on this list may obtain an official exam excuse from a dean or from the Office of the University Registrar. If students are treated at CHS or CAPS but do not appear on the Examination Excuse List, or they are not treated at CHS or CAPS, they should see a dean in the Academic Advising Program as soon as possible. Documentation should be provided. Students are expected to complete their undergraduate degree in a maximum of eight semesters of full-time enrollment at UNC, (excluding summer terms). If you need to request an additional semester due to extenuating circumstances, you must fill out the Additional Semester Appeal Form. Appeal reasons that are usually approved: Appeal reasons that are usually NOT approved: Appeal reasons that are sometimes approved: **Transfer students who transfer in the UNC-Chapel Hill equivalent of two or more semesters may automatically enroll in up to 10 semesters and complete up to three areas of study (i.e. a second major and a minor or two minors) without permission.
Additional Semester Request
Additional Academic Policies and Procedures