Skip to main content
AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Department of Modern Language Studies
Main Content

Language Placement

Your first step is to determine the appropriate level to start your language studies at TCU. You should consult our level descriptions, take the computerized CAPE examination and consult with an adviser in the Department of Modern Language Studies to determine your proper placement level. We provide details about the CAPE placement exam to incoming students prior to orientation and registration or you can access them here.

CAPE Exam

Placement recommendations based on CAPE results:

If you have academic or life experience in a foreign language, enroll at a level appropriate to your skills. TCU offers the following incentive-based policy. Students whose first language class at TCU is beyond the first semester level may earn additional language credit (if credit has not already been awarded for transfer, CLEP or AP work) as follows:

  • If the first foreign language class is at the second semester level (10163) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, three semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first-semester course (10153).
  • If the first foreign language class is at the third semester level (20053) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, six semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first and second semester courses (10153 and 10163).
  • If the first foreign language class is at the fourth semester level (20063) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, nine semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first, second and third semester courses (10153, 10163 and 20053).
  • If the first foreign language class is beyond the fourth semester level (numbered 30000 or above) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, nine semester hours credit will also be awarded for the second, third and fourth semester courses (10163, 20053 and 20063).
  • If the student takes a foreign language class at a level beyond the first one and earns a C or D, no additional credit will be awarded, but the student will be deemed to have satisfied the foreign language requirement of the UCR consistent with the level of the course passed. For example, if a student’s first foreign language class at TCU is at the fourth semester level (20063), and the student earns a C as the final grade, the student will not receive additional credit, but will have satisfied the foreign language requirement at the sophomore level.

Additional credit may also be earned by means of exams administered by the College Board (AP or CLEP). Please consult the TCU Credit by Exam webpage, available through the Office of Admissions, for details.