Speakers of languages other than English may be able to fulfill the world language requirement through language validation, though they will not receive course credit when they do so.
Students can validate proficiency in a second language in one of the following ways:
- Demonstrate that English is your second language by showing your academic advisor your ESL testing score document approved by OSU, or otherwise ensure these results are part of your student record. Your advisor can then submit the language validation form for you based on these records.
- Take an OSU placement test for a non-English language that OSU offers and score beyond the third level of the language. For instructions on taking a placement test, please visit our page on Placement Testing.
- If OSU does not offer your language, take an ALTA test in the non-English language and achieve a score of 6 or higher. There are costs associated both with the test itself ($57-68) and the required in-person proctoring session ($25) at the OSU Testing Center. The test must be completed between 9 AM and 3 PM Monday through Friday excluding holidays, unless you make alternate arrangements by emailing cllc@osu.edu before purchasing the exam. You may purchase the test in the CLLC store, then wait for an email from cllc@osu.edu with further instructions. If your language is not offered at the CLLC Store, please contact the CLLC at cllc@osu.edu. We cannot guarantee validation.
If you take an ALTA test for a language OSU does not offer, you may apply for reimbursement through our Language Validation Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded until all funds available for the semester are exhausted, so please email cllc@osu.edu to check if scholarships are still available before purchasing the test. Scholarships will be distributed at the end of each semester (i.e., you may test in the summer but receive funds in the fall). You may only apply for the scholarship after you have taken the test.
To apply for the reimbursement, please email cllc@osu.edu from your OSU email with the following information:
- Student ID number
- Proof of appointment with the OSU Testing Center
- Proof of CLLC Store purchase
The following factors will be considered in awarding Language Validation Scholarships:
- Confirmation from testing center of attendance at the proctored session
- Eligibility for Student Financial Aid
- Availability of funds