Northern State University offers free language placement testing to help ensure that you enroll in language courses appropriate to your level of expertise.

Some programs at Northern require one or more semesters of a language. Northern offers courses in Chinese, French, and Spanish. If you have experience with any of these languages, you might place into a higher-level language course. Select the relevant language placement test using the links provided below.

Please note that non-native English speakers cannot use their native language to fulfill a language requirement.

Credit for past efforts

Northern degree-seeking students who place into a 102-level or above language course and receive a final grade of C or better in that course have the option to purchase the credits for the lower level language courses at a significantly reduced rate. Purchasing these credits will allow the lower level language courses to appear on the student's transcript. Please contact the Registrar's Office for additional details and the required form. If a Northern degree-seeking student took language courses at a previous university, those courses will automatically appear on their transcript when they transfer to Northern. No purchase of lower level courses is necessary.

Testing details

• You'll need your student email and ID number to create a testing account with Emmersion, our testing provider.
• Placement test results should accurately represent your level of expertise in the language.
• Copies of placement results will be sent to your academic advisor. Please work with your academic advisor and the Registrar's Office to ensure proper placement into a language course.
• Students placing into a 300-level or above language course may be asked to meet with language faculty for a final placement decision.
• Students who wish to challenge their language placement results should contact the NSU Testing Center.