Spanish Language Courses: FAQs
Planning Your Spanish Courses: FAQs
This FAQ page is designed to help students plan their Spanish courses at UCR. It includes information about placement, prerequisites, outside coursework, grade requirements, and who to contact when additional guidance is needed.
Do I need to complete Spanish placement?
Students should review the Spanish placement information to determine whether they need to complete the placement process before enrolling. Placement requirements may depend on prior Spanish study, college-level Spanish credit, or approved equivalent college coursework.
What if I studied Spanish in high school?
Students with prior high school Spanish who are entering UCR without college-level Spanish credit or an approved equivalent course must complete the placement process before enrolling in a Spanish course.
What if I have never studied Spanish before?
Students who have not studied Spanish at the college level before should complete the placement exam survey before enrolling. This helps determine the appropriate starting point in the Spanish language sequence.
Can I enroll directly in SPN 002 or higher?
To enroll in SPN 002 or higher, students must meet the prerequisite through placement, a grade of C- or higher in the previous Spanish course, or an approved equivalent course completed at another institution.
Are Spanish courses offered every quarter?
Spanish courses are offered throughout the academic year and summer, but specific course levels vary by quarter. Students should review the current Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date offerings.
Are Spanish courses offered online or in person?
Spanish courses may be offered in different modalities, including in-person, online synchronous, online asynchronous, and hybrid formats. Availability varies by quarter and course level. Please see the Schedule of Classes to review past, current and future offerings.
Can I enroll in a Spanish course while completing the prerequisite at another institution?
No. Prerequisites will not be waived for students who are currently completing the required course at another institution.
To enroll in the next Spanish level at UCR, your official transcript showing successful completion of the prerequisite course must first be submitted and processed by the University. If your outside course ends close to the start of the UCR quarter or session, please contact the Spanish Language Program at the beginning of the session to ask whether space is still available. Enrollment is not guaranteed and depends on seat availability.
Can I take Spanish at another institution and transfer the credit to UCR?
Students may be able to complete an equivalent Spanish course at another institution, but they should confirm in advance that the course is approved or transferable. Students should speak with their academic advisor before enrolling in an outside course.
What grade do I need to move to the next Spanish level?
Students who wish to continue to the next Spanish level must earn a C- or higher. Students completing a foreign language requirement need a C or higher.
Can I take Spanish for Satisfactory/No Credit?
Students may have the option to take Spanish courses for Satisfactory/No Credit. Students should confirm the grade basis with their academic advisor before choosing this option. To earn Satisfactory credit, students need to earn a C or higher and must satisfactorily complete the course’s final assessments.
Where can I find basic course descriptions?
Basic course descriptions are available in the UC Riverside General Catalog. You may also visit the Study Spanish page for more info.
I met with my academic advisor, but we still have questions. Who should I contact?
If you and your academic advisor still have questions about Spanish placement, course sequencing, or enrollment, please contact the Director of the Spanish Language Program. Please include your full name, student ID, the Spanish course you hope to take (if applicable), and a brief summary of the question or concern you discussed with your advisor.