Students can study French, Spanish, Chinese, Italian and German at Rider. Students who would like to take a language course must fill out the Foreign Language Placement Form. Students continuing to study a language are required to take the online placement test administered by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures for proper course placement. Students beginning a new language indicate this on the form and will be put into the system at the 100-level. No placement test is required for students starting a new language. Students may not enroll in a language class without completing the form (all students) and placement test (only students continuing a previously studied language at Rider).

All College of Arts and Sciences and College of Education and Human Services students are required to take a foreign language as part of their general education curriculum. Students in the Norm Brodsky College of Business are strongly encouraged to do so. Students can enhance their education and improve their career prospects by taking more than the required one or two language courses. Students have the opportunity to double major or minor in a foreign language.

Fulfill the Language Requirement

College of Arts & Sciences
  • Students are required to take one or two language courses depending on placement.
  • If you place into 100, you need both 100 and 101 to fill the requirement.
  • If you place into 101 or above, you need one course at the level you placed to fill the requirement.
Education
  • Students are required to take one language course.
Westminster Choir College
  • Requirements vary by major. Please check the catalog.

Culture courses taught in English do not satisfy the language requirement. These courses include FRE 311: French Culture, SPA 310: Spanish Culture and Civilization, SPA 311: Latin American/Latino Culture, SPA 312 Latinx Cultures, CHI 310: Chinese Culture and Civilization, CHI 311: Calligraphy, CHI 307: Images of Women in Chinese Literature and Film. 

Foreign Language Placement Form

Please fill out the Foreign Language Placement form in order to register. Student who have studied a language offered at Rider before will be directed to the placement test.

If you have questions, including concerns about placement level, please call the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at (609) 896-5146 or e-mail at [email protected].

What to do if you need accommodations for Placement Testing

There is no time limit while taking the foreign language placement test, so that will not be a problem for students who require additional time. However, should you need other accommodations, the Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) office must receive your Confidential Self Disclosure Form and required documentation prior to taking the test.

The office will review and approve your request in advance, if appropriate. Information regarding required documentation can be found on the SASS website at www.rider.edu/sass. Please direct any accommodation requests or questions to [email protected].