Resources for Current Students

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which Spanish course should I take?

  If you have studied Spanish before in any capacity, please take a placement exam through the Center for World Languages and Cultures. You can find more information about this exam and how to complete it on CWLC’s webpage. This test will assign you to the most appropriate level of Spanish in DU’s program.

  If you have taken the placement test and would like more information on the course you place into, review the guide in our knowledge base. If you feel that your placement is incorrect, you can contact an advisor based on the Spanish level you tested into. 

  SPAN 1001-1003: Contact CWLC for advising 

  SPAN 2001-2003: Contact Professor Kathleen Guerra 

  SPAN 2100 or higher: Contact the professor for the course you would like to enroll in

  If you speak Spanish at home or have lived in a Spanish-speaking environment, consider enrolling in Spanish for Heritage Speakers (SPAN 2200). Contact Professor Lina Reznicek-Parrado for more information on this program, or take the placement exam. 

• Do you offer courses in languages other than Spanish?

  Yes! Professor Alison Krögel teaches courses on Quechua language and culture. Contact Alison Krögel for details.

• How do I fulfill my foreign language requirement by taking Spanish?

  If you have never taken a Spanish course before, you must finish the complete first-year sequence (SPAN 1001-1002-1003).

  If you have taken Spanish before, take the Spanish placement exam through the CWLC. 

  • If you place into a 1000-level class, start at the level you placed into and complete the full first-year sequence
  • If you place above the first-year sequence, you must take one four-credit course above the SPAN 1000 level (SPAN 2001 or higher)

  Depending on your major, you may have additional requirements. Check with your major or other academic advisor to ensure that you understand your specific situation.

• Can I audit a Spanish course?

  Spanish courses can only be audited by a full-time student at the University of Denver. If you are a full-time student looking to audit, contact the professor of the course that you are interested in. They have the sole authority to decide if they want to permit auditing in their course. You may also be interested in exploring the option of enrolling for no credit (NC) if you are a current DU student. This, too, is at the instructor’s discretion. Additional guides and information can be found in our knowledge base. 

• I am a graduate student at the University of Denver. Can I take one of your Spanish courses?

  None of our courses offer graduate-level credit. Therefore, while it is possible for enrolled graduate students to take our courses, they typically will not count towards your degree. Depending on your program and enrollment status, there may also be tuition charges or implications. Contact your advisor or program coordinator to explore your options.

• Do my AP/IB Spanish credits count towards a Spanish major or minor?

  Yes. An AP score of 3 or higher or an IB score of 4 or higher will be counted for credit towards your Spanish major or minor. See the Office of the Registrar’s page for updated information on exactly how your credits will be applied to your major or minor. As always, we recommend contacting your advisor for confirmation that your credits will apply. For more detailed guides and information regarding Spanish credits access our knowledge base. 

• Do my Spanish transfer credits count towards DU’s foreign language requirement?

  It depends. AP or IB credit that is transferred to the University of Denver does not satisfy your language requirement. Take the language placement exam to determine what course(s) you need to take to satisfy the foreign language requirement.

  Courses taught at other universities or abroad may be used in some cases to satisfy your language requirement. Contact the office of the registrar and your major advisor to discuss your options. For more detailed guides and information regarding Spanish credits access our knowledge base. 

• Still have questions we didn’t answer?

  Visit the SLLCS knowledge base for up-to-date information and resources on anything related to our courses, programs, student resources, how-to guides and more. 

  If you still can’t find the answer you’re looking for, perhaps a different department on campus can help. The guide below will help direct you to the unit best equipped to answer any outlying questions you may have.