Undergraduate Degree Details & Requirements

• Language I: courses through the 400 level, including 307, 308, two literature surveys (French 325 and 326, or Italian 323 and 324, or two among Spanish 341, 342, or 343), and two 400-level courses (in Italian, two literature courses; in French, two literature courses or one literature course and French 411; in Spanish, either two literature courses or one literature and one linguistics course).
• Language II: courses through the 400 level, including 307, 308, at least two literature surveys (French 325 and 326, or Italian 323 and 324, or two among Spanish 341, 342, or 343), and one 400-level course (in Italian and French, a literature course; in Spanish, either literature or linguistics).
• Language III: courses through and including one literature survey (307, 308, plus, depending on the language, French 325 or 326; Italian 323 or 324; Spanish 341, 342, or 343).
• One WI (writing intensive) course either in Spanish or Italian, or via French 411 (fall only).
• A capstone experience, either by completing Latin honors or by completing a senior undergraduate seminar in your junior or senior year with a grade of B+ or better.

We encourage students to think about doing an honors thesis, perhaps combining French and Spanish. The 6 units of 495 (honors) would be above and beyond the requirements listed above for each language.

You will need to take these classes for a grade (not pass/fail) and earn a B- or better, with a B average overall, per departmental requirements of all majors.

Special Major Approval Form

Total units required: 30 units (27 units for second majors).

Required courses (in French) if declared after Fall 2021*

• French 307 Cultural Expression
• 1 French 320s-340s In-Perspective
• 1 French 360 or 361 Thinking-It-Through
• 1 French 370s-390s In-Depth
• 2 French 4xx Upper-level seminars 

* Fr 204 no longer counts towards the major. Students pursuing the major earn the remainder of their credits by taking our rich 300- and 400-level elective offerings in French and Francophone literature, language, culture, and related disciplines in the arts and sciences. Majors may count one course taken abroad towards the satisfaction of their Thinking-It-Through or In-Depth requirement.

Required courses (in French) if declared prior to Fall 2021**

• French 307 Advanced French
• French 308 Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis
• French 325 Dramatic Voices: Poets and Playwrights
• French 326 Narrative Voices: Fiction and Nonfiction
• French 411 or French 4131 Writing Intensive
• French 4xx Upper-level seminar before the Revolution (Medieval, Renaissance, Seventeenth- or Eighteenth-Century)
• French 4xx Upper-level seminar after the Revolution (Nineteenth- or Twentieth-Century or Francophone) 

** Students who take Fr 204 at the university may count it as one course towards the major (out of nine for the second or ten for the prime). Students may also count one 3-credit course towards the major at the 300-level or above that is taught in English by a member of the French faculty either within or beyond the bounds of the department at Washington University. This course must be at the 300 level or above and does not replace the requirements in French.

Students must maintain an average of B- or better. Both 400-level courses required for the major must be taken at Washington University. All primary majors must complete a capstone experience by achieving a B+ or better in one of the 400-level seminars.

French majors are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. Summer programs are available in Paris, Nice and Senegal, and semester abroad programs are available in Toulouse and Paris. Up to 6 credits from each program can count toward the major. Students should complete an In-Perspective course prior to Junior spring abroad or summer abroad in Nice.

Total units required after Fall 2021: 18

Required courses (in French) after Fall 2021*

• French 307 Cultural Expression
• 1 French 320s-40s In-Perspective
• 1 French 370s-90s In-Depth

* Fr 204 no longer counts towards the minor. Students pursuing the minor earn the remainder of their credits by taking our rich 300- and 400-level elective offerings in French and Francophone literature, language, culture, and related disciplines in the arts and sciences.  

Total units required prior to Fall 2021: 21

Required courses (in French) prior to Fall 2021**

• French 307 Advanced French
• French 308 Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis
• French 325 Dramatic Voices: Poets and Playwrights; or
• French 326 Narrative Voices: Fiction and Nonfiction

** Students who take Fr 204 at the university may count it as one course towards the minor (out of seven). Students may also count one 3-credit course towards the minor that is taught in English by a member of the French faculty either within or beyond the bounds of the department at Washington University. This course must be at the 300 level or above and does not replace the requirements in French. 

Courses taken credit/no credit do not count toward the minor. Students must maintain an average of B- or better.

French minors are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. Summer programs are available in Paris, Nice and Senegal, and semester abroad programs are available in Toulouse and Paris. Up to 6 credits from each program can count toward the minor. Students should complete an In-Perspective course prior to Junior spring abroad or summer abroad in Nice.

The French section is pleased to offer students the opportunity to prepare for a certificate in Français professionnel de la santé (FPS). Those interested in the French for Medical Professionals track take a sequence of four courses, selected from the list below. This sequence helps prepare students for the exam that will qualify them to receive a certificate recognized by the French government. Any coursework completed for this track at the 300-level or above can count towards the French major or minor or the Medical Humanities minor and may be of interest to students in psychology or global health. The requirements are summarized below. 

French for the Medical Professions track requirements (12 units):*

Required course: 
• Fr 214 Medical French (offered each spring), prereq Fr 203, can replace Fr 204.

Remaining 9 units to be selected from the following:
• Fr 247 Freshman Seminar with Medical Humanities focus
(ex: Global Health in the Francophone World)
• In-Perspective course with Medical Humanities focus 
(ex: course in development on Virality)
• In-Depth course with Medical Humanities focus 
(ex: Fr 375 Medical Narratives, Narrative Medicine)
• 400-level seminar with Medical Humanities focus 
(ex: Fr 468 Disability Studies, Before “Disability”)

*Up to 6 units completed in the French for the Pre-Med summer study abroad program in Nice or the Junior spring abroad programs in Paris or Toulouse can count towards the track.
 

Once the proper placement is determined (see Placement Test), students should take, in order, three courses: FR 101, 102, 203, 204, 307, In-Perspective, and then additional 300-level courses taught in French in order to meet the Linguistic and Cultural Diversity (LCD) WU requirement for the degree.

Total units required

27 units (24 units for second majors). Of these 27 units, three may be taken outside of the Italian (L36) with the approval of the major advisor.

Required courses (in Italian)

• Students may count toward the minor or major Italian 201D. Intermediate Italian in the Everyday World, Level III

• Students may count one of the following:

-Italian 247. First Year Seminar: Italy's Invention of the Modern Museum (3 units)

-Italian 248. First Year Seminar: Italian Literary Culture: Identity, Subjectivity, Audience (3 units)

-Italian 249. Refracted Light: How Others View Italy (3 units)

• Students are required to complete one of the following courses:

-Italian 307D. Advanced Italian in the Everyday World  (3 units)

-Italian 309.  Transmedia Italian Culture: Stories, Interpretation, Performance  (3 units)

• Students are required to complete one of the following courses:

-Italian 323C. Italian Literature I: Genre and Gender in Italy, 1200-1600 (3 units)

-Italian 324C. Italian Literature II: The Making of Modern Italy, Texts and Contexts (3 units)

-Italian 327. History of the Italian Language (3 units)

• Two Italian 400-level seminars (6 units)

Additional Information

Students must maintain an average of B- or better and must maintain a B or better in Italian. Courses taken Credit/No Credit do not count toward the Italian major.

Transfer Credits

18 of the 27 units required for the major must be taken in residence. Non-WUSTL courses may count toward the major only with departmental permission.

Total units required: 18

Students may count toward the minor or major Italian 201D. Intermediate Italian in the Everyday World, Level III
Students may count one of the following:
-Italian 247. First Year Seminar: Italy's Invention of the Modern Museum (3 units)
-Italian 248. First Year Seminar: Italian Literary Culture: Identity, Subjectivity, Audience (3 units)
-Italian 249. Refracted Light: How Others View Italy (3 units)

• Students are required to complete one of the following courses:

-Italian 307D. Advanced Italian in the Everyday World  (3 units)
-Italian 309.  Transmedia Italian Culture: Stories, Interpretation, Performance  (3 units)

• Students are required to complete one of the following courses:

-Italian 323C. Italian Literature I: Genre and Gender in Italy, 1200-1600 (3 units)
-Italian 324C. Italian Literature II: The Making of Modern Italy, Texts and Contexts (3 units)
-Italian 327. History of the Italian Language (3 units)

Additional Information

Students must maintain an average of B- or better and must maintain a B or better in Italian. Courses taken Credit/No Credit do not count toward the Italian major.

For equivalences between discontinued and new courses, click here.

To declare the Spanish major, a student must first file an "intent to major" form on WebStac. The student must then request an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Spanish (DUS) Jody Doran for review and approval of his/her major program.
•    Major requirements have been revised as of 2021. Students in the graduating class of 2024 or earlier may follow the previous requirements listed at the end of this section or opt to follow the new requirements. 
•    Under the new requirements, to major in Spanish students must take a minimum of 30 units starting with Spanish 202, of which 24 units must be taken in residence. Study at Washington University’s own programs in Spain or Chile is considered “in residence.”
•    Under the old requirements, to major in Spanish students must take a minimum of 30 units (double majors: 27 units) at the 300-level or above, of which 21 units must be taken in residence. Study at Washington University’s own programs in Spain or Chile is considered “in residence.”
•    Students must complete all courses with grades of B- or above and maintain a B average or better overall in Spanish. Courses taken Credit/No Credit (Pass/Fail) do not count towards the Spanish major.
•    Transfer students with an advanced level of Spanish and native/heritage speakers need to be certified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies prior to declaring the major.

New Major Requirements

The following courses must be included in the 30 units:
Cultures and Communications in the Spanish-Speaking World.   (6 units):

•    Spanish 302.  Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World.  Heritage Speakers of Spanish must be certified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and enroll in Spanish 3021 Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers of Spanish.
•    Spanish 303.  Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World II.
Spanish 303 is a prerequisite for all 300-level literature and culture courses in Spanish.
For students in the older sequence, 307D is equivalent to 302 and 308E is equivalent to 303. Students who completed 308E must proceed to the “Debating Culture” classes (32xx).
 

Two “Debating Cultures” courses (6 units):

__Courses designated as Spanish 32xx 
Study Abroad Options for 32xx courses
__Spanish 354 A View from the Southern Cone (Chile)
__Spanish 3341 Literatura Española (Spain)
__Spanish 3361 Literatura Hispanoamericana (Spain/Chile)
__Spanish 350 Topics in Spanish Literature.

•    One literature course taken in the Chile or Spain RLL semester programs, designated as an acceptable substitute, may be used as one of the 32xx-level courses.

Two “Researching Cultures” courses (6 units):

__Courses designated as Spanish 36xx 
Study Abroad Options:
__Spanish 3181 Spanish Culture and Civilization (Spain) semester (Please note that this is the only course for students at Carlos III or the Autónoma in Madrid that will count as a substitute for a 36xx course).
__Spanish 311 Spanish Culture and Civilization (Spain) summer in Madrid
__Spanish 313 Chilean Culture (Chile)
•32xx and 36xx designations are sequential levels, and once a student takes a course at one level, he/she may not take a course at the previous level. 
 

Any two 400-level seminars from the following:

__Spanish 405W Major Seminar
__Spanish 410 Major Seminar
__Other 400 level literature and/or culture class taught in Spanish
•One of the following linguistics seminars may be substituted for one of the two 400-level literature seminars:
__Spanish 417 Phonology and Second Language Acquisition
__Spanish 411 Advanced Grammar and Syntax

•Prerequisites for 400-level courses are completion of at least two of the following classes: 341, 342, 343, 370, 380; or completion of at least one researching cultures class.

Study Abroad Options:
•One 400-level seminar must be taken on campus.
•Approved 400-level course from the Madrid or Chile Program. (See study abroad guidelines)

Two Elective Courses:

__Spanish 202 or another elective if placed directly into Spanish 302/3021
__Spanish 324/ U27 324 Conversation in Cinema (please note, this is the only University College course that counts as elective credit toward the major).
__Spanish 331 Hispanic Art
__Spanish 351 Business Spanish
__Spanish 353 Medical Spanish
__Any other advanced 300- or 400-level Spanish (L38) class taught by a RLL faculty member.
__Any other advanced 300- or 400-level Spanish (L38) class taught by a RLL faculty member.
• One elective course with content relevant to the Spanish major and taught in English by Spanish faculty may be taken, when available, for the major. Please consult with the DUS.
Study Abroad Options:
__Spanish 322 Contemporary Culture and Conversation, Summer Language Institute, Madrid
__Elective credit from Semester programs in Santiago or Madrid
__Elective credit from the Latin American Studies Summer program in Peru (either "Governance, Ethnicity, and Development in the Andean Region," or “Public Health, Healing, and Traditional Medicine in the Andean Region").
__Elective credit from Petitioned, OTS, SIT or Comp Lit Programs (See study abroad guidelines)
• Spanish courses completed (and approved) from Study Abroad programs other than those at Washington University may be used for Spanish elective credit only. All Study Abroad credit requires authorization from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Previous Major Requirements

(Valid for students in graduating classes of 2024 or earlier)

The following courses must be included in the 30 units:

Cultures and Communications in the Spanish-Speaking World.   (6 units):

•    Spanish 302. Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World.  Heritage Speakers of Spanish must be certified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and enroll in Spanish 3021 Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers of Spanish.
•    Spanish 303. Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World II.

Spanish 303 is a prerequisite for any other 300-level literature and culture course (32xx) in Spanish.
For students in the older sequence, 307D is equivalent to 302 and 308E is equivalent to 303. Students who completed 308E would proceed to a 32xx course.

Three Literature and Culture Surveys (34x) plus one Topics in Culture or Linguistics course and/or Debating Cultures / Researching Cultures (12 units):

__Spanish 341 Literary and Cultural Studies in Spanish
__Spanish 342 Iberian Literatures and Cultures
__Spanish 343 Latin American Literatures and Cultures
__Spanish 370 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
__Spanish 380 Topics in Hispanic Cultures

Depending on where students are in the sequence as of the fall 2021 semester, “Debating Cultures” and “Researching Cultures” courses will replace the above requirements. For example, a student who has completed Spanish 34x would proceed to a “Debating Cultures” class (Spanish 32xx). A student who has completed three Spanish 34x would then take a “Researching Cultures” class (Spanish 36xx). 

__Spanish 32xx
__Spanish 36xx
Study Abroad Options for 32xx:
__Spanish 354 A View from the Southern Cone (Chile)
__Spanish 3341 Literatura Española (Spain)
__Spanish 3361 Literatura Hispanoamericana (Spain/Chile)
__Spanish 350 Topics in Spanish Literature

Study Abroad Options for 36xx:
__Spanish 3181 Spanish Culture and Civilization (Spain) semester (Please note that this is the only course for students at Carlos III or the Autónoma in Madrid that will count as a substitute for Spanish 36xx).
__Spanish 313 Chilean Culture (Chile)
__Spanish 311 Spanish Culture and Civilization
•One literature course taken in the Chile or Spain RLL semester programs, designated as an acceptable substitute, may be used as one of the 32xx-level or 36xx-level courses. Students returning to campus after fulfilling all four 32xx/36xx or equivalent requirements must move to a 400-level course.
 (Spain) summer in Madrid

Any two 400-level seminars from the following:

__Spanish 405W Major Seminar
__Spanish 410 Major Seminar
__Other 400 level literature and/or culture class taught in Spanish
•When offered, one of the following linguistics seminars may be substituted for one of the two 400-level literature seminars:
__Spanish 417 Phonology and Second Language Acquisition
__Spanish 411 Advanced Grammar and Syntax

•Prerequisites for 400-level courses are completion of at least two of the following classes: 341, 342, 343, 370, 380; or completion of at least one researching cultures class.

Study Abroad Options:
• One 400-level seminar must be taken on campus.
• Approved 400-level course from the Madrid or Chile Program. (See study abroad guidelines)

Elective Courses (2 for Single Majors; 1 for Double Majors)

__Spanish 324/ U27 324 Conversation in Cinema (please note, this is the only University College course that counts as elective credit toward the major).
__Spanish 331 Hispanic Art
__Spanish 351 Business Spanish
__Spanish 353 Medical Spanish
__Any other advanced 300- or 400-level Spanish (L38) class taught by a RLL faculty member.
__Any other advanced 300- or 400-level Spanish (L38) class taught by a RLL faculty member.
• One elective course with content relevant to the Spanish major and taught in English by Spanish faculty may be taken, when available, for the major. Please consult with the DUS.
Study Abroad Options:
__Spanish 322 Contemporary Culture and Conversation, Summer Language Institute, Madrid
__Elective credit from Semester programs in Santiago or Madrid
__Elective credit from the Latin American Studies Summer program in Peru (either "Governance, Ethnicity, and Development in the Andean Region," or “Public Health, Healing, and Traditional Medicine in the Andean Region").
__Elective credit from Petitioned, OTS, SIT or Comp Lit Programs (See study abroad guidelines)
• Spanish courses completed (and approved) from Study Abroad programs other than those at Washington University may be used for Spanish elective credit only. All Study Abroad credit requires authorization from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
 

Other Requirements:

Prior to declaring a major, students are required to fill out a questionnaire about their previous preparation and objectives in studying Spanish. As seniors they may fill out an optional survey about the major. Double-major seniors may elect to do their capstone experience in a 400-level course; single majors must do so. The capstone may be fulfilled through the completion of a 400-level class with a B+ or better, or via Honors (see guidelines). All qualified majors in the school of Arts and Sciences may elect to meet the requirements for honors. To be eligible to earn honors in Spanish, Spanish must be the student's prime major.

Recommended for prospective teachers:

1.    A second language.
2.    Span 466, Span 467, Span 469, Span 413, Span 4013
3.    Semester of year in Spain or Chile.

Recommended for prospective graduate students:

1.    A second language related to student’s area of interests.
2.    Advanced work in other literatures, literary criticism and theory, and related course work in other literature or film programs.
3.    Year in Spain or Chile.
4.    Senior Honors by thesis or course work (See Honors guidelines)

Updated March 2021
Please click here for a PDF of these requirements.

For equivalences between discontinued and new courses, click here.

To declare the Spanish minor, a student must first file an “intent to minor” form on WebStac. The student must then request an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Spanish (DUS) Jody Doran for review and approval of his/her major program.
•    Minor requirements have been revised as of 2021. Students in the graduating class of 2024 or earlier may follow the previous requirements listed at the end of this section or opt to follow the new requirements. 
•    Under both the new and the old requirements, to minor in Spanish students must take a minimum of 18 units starting with Spanish 302 (previously Spanish 307), of which 12 units must be taken in residence. Study at Washington University’s own programs in Spain or Chile is considered “in residence.”
•     Students must complete all courses with grades of B- or above and maintain a B average or better overall in Spanish. Courses taken Credit/No Credit (Pass/Fail) do not count towards the Spanish minor.
•    Transfer students with an advanced level of Spanish and native/heritage speakers need to be certified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies prior to declaring the minor.
 

New Minor Requirements

The following courses must be included in the 18 units:
Cultures and Communications in the Spanish-Speaking World.   (6 units):

•    Spanish 302.  Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World.  Heritage Speakers of Spanish must be certified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and enroll in Spanish 3021 Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers of Spanish.
•    Spanish 303.  Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World II.
Spanish 303 is a prerequisite for all 300-level literature and culture courses in Spanish.
For students in the older sequence, 307D is equivalent to 302 and 308E is equivalent to 303. Students who completed 308E must proceed to the “Debating Culture” classes (32xx).

Three “Debating Cultures” and/or “Researching Cultures” courses, as follows:
One or two “Debating Cultures” courses (3-6 units):

__Courses designated as Spanish 32xx 

Study Abroad Options for 32xx courses

__Spanish 354 A View from the Southern Cone (Chile)
__Spanish 3341 Literatura Española (Spain)
__Spanish 3361 Literatura Hispanoamericana (Spain/Chile)
__Spanish 350 Topics in Spanish Literature.
•    One literature course taken in the Chile or Spain RLL semester programs, designated as an acceptable substitute, may be used as one of the 32xx-level courses.

One or two “Researching Cultures” courses (3-6 units):

__Courses designated as Spanish 36xx 

Study Abroad Options:

__Spanish 3181 Spanish Culture and Civilization (Spain) semester (Please note that this is the only course for students at Carlos III or the Autónoma in Madrid that will count as a substitute for a 36xx course).
__Spanish 311 Spanish Culture and Civilization (Spain) summer in Madrid
__Spanish 313 Chilean Culture (Chile)
•32xx and 36xx designations are sequential levels, and once a student takes a course at one level, he/she may not take a course at the previous level. 

One 400-level seminar from the following:

__Spanish 405W Major Seminar
__Spanish 410 Major Seminar
__Other 400 level literature and/or culture class taught in Spanish
•One of the following linguistics seminars may be substituted for one of the two 400-level literature seminars:
__Spanish 417 Phonology and Second Language Acquisition
__Spanish 411 Advanced Grammar and Syntax
•Prerequisites for 400-level courses are completion of at least two of the following classes: 341, 342, 343, 370, 380; or completion of at least one researching cultures class.
 

Study Abroad Options:

•One 400-level seminar must be taken on campus.
•Approved 400-level course from the Madrid or Chile Program. (See study abroad guidelines)

Previous Minor Requirements

(Valid for students in graduating classes of 2024 or earlier)

The following courses must be included in the 18 units:

Cultures and Communications in the Spanish-Speaking World.   (6 units):

•    Spanish 302. Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World.  Heritage Speakers of Spanish must be certified by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and enroll in Spanish 3021 Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers of Spanish.
•    Spanish 303. Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World II.
Spanish 303 is a prerequisite for any other 300-level literature and culture course (32xx) in Spanish.
For students in the older sequence, 307D is equivalent to 302 and 308E is equivalent to 303. Students who completed 308E would proceed to a 32xx course.

Two Literature and Culture Surveys (34x) plus one Topics in Culture or Linguistics course and/or Debating Cultures / Researching Cultures (9 units):

__Spanish 341 Literary and Cultural Studies in Spanish
__Spanish 342 Iberian Literatures and Cultures
__Spanish 343 Latin American Literatures and Cultures
__Spanish 370 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
__Spanish 380 Topics in Hispanic Cultures
Depending on where students are in the sequence as of the fall 2021 semester, “Debating Cultures” and “Researching Cultures” courses will replace the above requirements. For example, a student who has completed Spanish 34x would proceed to a “Debating Cultures” class (Spanish 32xx) or a “Researching Cultures” class (Spanish 36xx). A student who has completed two Spanish 34x would then take a “Researching Cultures” class (Spanish 36xx). 
__Spanish 32xx
__Spanish 36xx

Study Abroad Options for 32xx:

__Spanish 354 A View from the Southern Cone (Chile)
__Spanish 3341 Literatura Española (Spain)
__Spanish 3361 Literatura Hispanoamericana (Spain/Chile)
__Spanish 350 Topics in Spanish Literature

Study Abroad Options for 36xx:

__Spanish 3181 Spanish Culture and Civilization (Spain) semester (Please note that this is the only course for students at Carlos III or the Autónoma in Madrid that will count as a substitute for Spanish 36xx).
__Spanish 313 Chilean Culture (Chile)
__Spanish 311 Spanish Culture and Civilization
•One literature course taken in the Chile or Spain RLL semester programs, designated as an acceptable substitute, may be used as one of the 32xx-level or 36xx-level courses. Students returning to campus after fulfilling all four 32xx/36xx or equivalent requirements must move to a 400-level course.
 (Spain) summer in Madrid

One Elective Course

__Spanish 324/ U27 324 Conversation in Cinema (please note, this is the only University College course that counts as elective credit toward the major).
__Spanish 331 Hispanic Art
__Spanish 351 Business Spanish
__Spanish 353 Medical Spanish
__Any other advanced 300- or 400-level Spanish (L38) class taught by a RLL faculty member.
__Any other advanced 300- or 400-level Spanish (L38) class taught by a RLL faculty member.
• One elective course with content relevant to the Spanish major and taught in English by Spanish faculty may be taken, when available, for the major. Please consult with the DUS.

Study Abroad Options:

__Spanish 322 Contemporary Culture and Conversation, Summer Language Institute, Madrid
__Elective credit from Semester programs in Santiago or Madrid
__Elective credit from the Latin American Studies Summer program in Peru (either "Governance, Ethnicity, and Development in the Andean Region," or “Public Health, Healing, and Traditional Medicine in the Andean Region").
__Elective credit from Petitioned, OTS, SIT or Comp Lit Programs (See study abroad guidelines)
• Spanish courses completed (and approved) from Study Abroad programs other than those at Washington University may be used for Spanish elective credit only. All Study Abroad credit requires authorization from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Please click here for a PDF of these requirements.
Updated March 2021

College Honors are automatically awarded to all Arts & Sciences students who graduate with an 8th-semester, overall GPA of 3.6 or higher and who have not participated in a department’s Latin Honors program. This designation is noted on a student’s transcript.

Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) are awarded by the College on the basis of GPA. Latin Honors require the completion of a thesis or of honors by coursework. These honors are printed on the diploma and on the transcript.

General Requirements set by the College of Arts & Sciences

• Latin Honors are determined on the basis of a student's performance throughout eight semesters in the college. To be eligible for such honors, the student must have maintained a 3.65 grade point average through the sixth semester and must be accepted for candidacy by the relevant department or program. Latin Honors candidates must enroll in such courses as their department or program may require, satisfactorily complete a significant project appropriate to the nature of the discipline, and pass such written and/or oral examinations as the department or program may set. To earn such honors, they must also have maintained the minimum 3.65 grade point average through the final semester.
• Upon certification by the department that the Honors program has been satisfactorily completed, the student may be awarded the A.B.cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude according to the following proportions: the top 15 percent in overall grade point average of Latin honors candidates who complete the necessary requirements of their major departments will graduate summa cum laude; the next 35 percent magna cum laude; the next 50 percent cum laude.
• To be eligible for Latin Honors, transfer students must have earned a minimum of 48 letter-graded Washington University units prior to the final semester. Grades earned at other institutions do not figure in the calculation of minimum averages required for eligibility for Latin Honors.
• In addition to the General Requirements set by the College of Arts & Sciences for the college-wide Honors Program, eligibility and participation in the Latin Honors Program of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures is determined as described below.

Students may achieve Latin and Departmental Honors in French, Italian or Spanish by fulfilling all of the requirements of either of two tracks, detailed below. Students wishing to obtain Honors should consult their major advisors early to ensure that they will be eligible.

1. Honors By Coursework

• Undergraduates who have maintained a GPA of 3.6 or higher are eligible to earn Honors through coursework. Those interested in doing so should declare their intention in the Fall of their Junior year and select their courses accordingly. All students will be required to take two additional 400-level courses in French or Spanish beyond the major requirements. These courses must be taught in the target language or approved by the Honors coordinator. The additional courses must be completed in the Spring semester of the Junior year and the Fall semester of the Senior year. Students should inform the professors of the two additional courses of their intent to complete Honors through coursework. The professors of the courses will supervise the student’s written work accordingly. Topics for the written work completed for the courses should be chosen with a view towards subsequent expansion of the assignment.
• Once the coursework has been completed and a grade for the course has been assigned, the student will be asked to expand the written work for each course by an additional 7-10 pages, which should include the consultation and application of critical and theoretical texts if the student has not already done so. The student will thus complete an additional 14-20 pages in all, above and beyond the written work required for the two courses. The student will then submit the two revised, expanded papers to an Honors committee comprised of the professors of the student’s two additional courses as well as the professor in charge of Honors by coursework. The committee will meet in mid-March to discuss the student’s written work and the student will be given a one-hour oral examination based on the two papers. The committee will then determine the level of departmental Honors the student has merited.

2. Honors by Thesis

• Students who wish to do a sustained research project should consult with a faculty member in their area of interest in the Junior year, keeping in mind that it may take some time to find an appropriate advisor for the project. The advisor must be a member of the tenure-track faculty. The student should then draft a thesis proposal (1-2 pp) in which he or she describes the nature of the project. The project advisor, as well as the major advisor, should then sign the proposal indicating approval. The signed proposal should be submitted to the Honors program faculty coordinator by early April; candidates will be notified of their acceptance by the end of April. Students who plan to study abroad during their Junior year are strongly encouraged to initiate contact with potential thesis advisors before going abroad, as the process may be significantly more difficult once they have left campus. Any exceptions to the April deadline require the consensus of the Honors coordinator, the thesis director and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
• If accepted, candidates for Honors by thesis should consult their thesis advisors about a research plan for the summer and should enroll in Honors 4951 (three credits, Pass/Fail) in the Fall. In 4951, students will meet in regular tutorials with their thesis advisors and draft a significant portion of the thesis. If their work in the Fall is satisfactory, they will be allowed to enroll in Honors 495 (three credits, for a letter grade) in the Spring, in which they will complete a sustained critical study, about fifty pages long, in the language of their major.
• A defensible draft of the complete thesis is due before Spring Break, at least two weeks before the defense date. An oral examination (defense) must be held before the College of Arts & Sciences deadline for Honors Certification, which generally falls around the 25th of March. The thesis examining committee consists of three faculty members: the thesis advisor, the second reader, and the faculty coordinator of the Honors program. Students should anticipate making final revisions to the thesis after the defense. They will submit the final version to the Department by mid-April.

At the end of the oral examination, based on their assessment of the quality of the student’s written work and oral defense, Honors examining committees will award the student one of the three following designations:

• Departmental Honors with High Distinction
• Departmental Honors with Distinction
• Departmental Honors

• The option for doing an independent study on literature exists only for students who have already completed 325 and 326 in French; two surveys in Spanish (330-333-334-335-336); 323 and 324 in Italian.
• For independent studies on translation or culture, the option exists only for students who have already completed 307, 308, and one other 300-level course with grades of B+ or better.
• Credits for the independent study will apply to the minor or major. However, in no case will an independent study substitute for a required course for either the minor or the major.
• Faculty members often do not have the time to commit to directing independent studies and the department does not pressure faculty to undertake such assignments.
• The student must first secure the provisional approval of both the faculty member conducting the independent study, and the DUS.
• Prior to the start of the semester the student must obtain the final approval of the faculty member directing the independent study and the DUS based on their review of a detailed syllabus of the proposed course (compiled by the student with the aid of the faculty member), including all readings and written assignments. The workload for the course must resemble that of comparable courses at the same level.
• The faculty member and the study must meet for at least one hour every other week during the semester to speak in the target language about the works studies.

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures requires that all Summer Institute courses in Spanish, Italian, and French be taken for a letter grade. Consultation with departmental advisors must be completed prior to departure.

Washington University students who might instead be considering application to a program run by another university or organization should be aware that the credit earned there is not necessarily transferable to Washington University's degree program.