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 200-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 100-level language courses at a significantly reduced rate for those courses to appear on their transcript. Please contact the Registrar's Office for additional details and the required form.

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 test results will be sent to you and to Jessica Ness, Academic Advisor for the Department of English, Communication, and Global Languages. 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 Jessica Ness, Academic Advisor for the Department of English, Communication, and Global Languages.