Transfer Credit

 

Guidelines for Receiving Transfer Credit

Transferring a language course to Duke from another institution may involve up to three separate steps:

  1. Obtain course credit which counts towards fulfilling the 34 courses required for graduation.
  2. Obtain Mode of Inquiry FL (Foreign Language) coding which counts towards fulfilling your language requirement with the form linked below. Transfer credit courses are only eligible for FL coding if taken in an immersive setting, e.g., while you are living with a host family or otherwise engaged actively with the host foreign language-speaking culture. No FL coding may be requested for a course taught in a foreign language not native to the host country. 
  3. Determine the next language course you need to take at Duke to fulfill your language requirement (if it is not completed by the transfer course). Note: transfer credit approval does not automatically mean you are prepared for the next level language course. 

Procedure

1. Prior to taking the transfer course:

a. Familiarize yourself with the procedures for transferring a course for credit given on the Trinity Requirements web site. If you intend to request a FL coding for the transfer course in Spanish, also familiarize yourself with the requirements given in parts 2 and 3 below. Remember, courses are only eligible for FL coding if taken in an immersive setting.  No FL coding may be requested for a course not native to the host country. 

b. In order to transfer to Duke and count as one course credit toward your graduation, the first requirement is that the Spanish course must not have fewer contact hours than the equivalent course taught on campus at Duke. A Duke language course contact hour is 50-60 minutes.

  • Minimum required contact hours:
  • Spanish 101: 56
  • Spanish 102: 56
  • Spanish 111: 112
  • Spanish 203: 42
  • Spanish 204: 42
  • Spanish 211: 70
  • Spanish 300 and above: 42

c. In addition to fulfilling the contact hour requirement, Spanish courses that are to be transferred for credit must meet the following specific minimum requirements:

  • All coursework and class discussion in Spanish, unless seeking course equivalency for the course in translation.
  • Substantive linguistic and cultural content.
  • Class size must not exceed 20 students.

NOTE: Student with three years or more of High School Spanish must not request transfer credit for Spanish 101. Student with more than 1 year of High School Spanish must not request transfer credit for Spanish 111.

d. Obtain a copy of the course description and any other documentation needed to show that the transfer course meets these minimum requirements.

e. See Global Education for information on applying for study abroad transfer credit. For domestic transfer credit only, which is ineligible for FL credit, download the Transfer Course Approval Form from the T-Reqs web site and fill out the top of the form. Email the form, the syllabus, the calculation for part b, and the documentation for part c to the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in Romance Studies. If approved, the course will be listed on the form as an elective course in Spanish (Spanish 100 for introductory level, 200 for intermediate, and 300 for advanced level).

f. Study abroad transfer credit will be processed through Global Ed's website. If applying solely for transfer credit that was direct enrollment, the signed Transfer Course Approval Form and documentation will be sent to the office of your academic dean for final approval. Upon approval, the dean will send the form to the Registrar. Remember, a course will only be eligible for FL consideration if taken in an immersive setting and will require an FL application (see below) after completion of the course. 

2. While taking the transfer course:

If seeking FL credit from a study abroad experience, save course materials such as the syllabus, textbooks, papers written, quizzes, exams, etc. Remember, courses are only eligible for FL coding if taken in an immersive setting.  

3. After taking the transfer course:

a. Assuming satisfactory completion of the course with a grade of C- or better, request that the Registrar of the institution you attended send a copy of your transcript to the Registrar of Duke University, Box 90054, Durham, NC, 27708. Upon showing successful completion of the course, the Registrar will add the transfer course to your Duke transcript as Spanish 100, 200, or 300.

b. To request FL credit for a study abroad course, you must complete this form and submit all the requested documentation. 

  • See part c, below, for elementary or intermediate Spanish course equivalencies.
  • See part d, below, for advanced Spanish course (Spanish 301 or higher) equivalencies.

c. For a course to be approved as a Spanish 100 or 200 equivalency: 

General requirements:

  1. Language Modalities: Speaking, writing, listening, reading, culture.
  2. Teaching Methodology: Communicative, content based approach; language use in context; use of authentic materials; use of audio and video for development of listening comprehension; regular assignments that focus on writing as a process. Cultural component integrated into teaching and assessment practices.
  3. Writing component: At least 2 formal compositions in Spanish 101, 102, 203 and 204. All composition assignments must include at least one revision stage. Length of compositions for Spanish 101 should be one page, for Spanish 102 is 1 page and 1 page and a half; Spanish 203 and Spanish 204 is 2 pages. In addition to the formal compositions, the course should include at least 4 informal writing assignments such as electronic forum, journals, etc. Emphasis on developing competency in diverse registers and text types.
  4. Evaluation: For Spanish 101-204, student should be evaluated on all language modalities: two major tests, one midterm, and comprehensive final exam; 2 oral exams.
  5. Reading: Student should be exposed to extensive reading. Adapted reading for Spanish 101, 102, and 111; original readings for Spanish 203, 204.
  6. Class size must not exceed 20 students.

Course-specific requirements:

  1. Spanish 101 must cover at least half of traditional elementary textbook (including present and past tenses, direct and indirect object pronouns).
  2. Spanish 102 must complete the study of a traditional elementary textbook (including future tenses, conditional and subjunctive moods, conjunctions, prepositions, relative pronouns).
  3. Spanish 111 must include everything covered in Spanish 101 and 102 (above)
  4. Spanish 203 must include a complete review of elementary grammar (everything covered in Spanish 101 and 102), application of reading strategies to progressively longer authentic texts, and regular speaking practice. Reading assignments at end of course must be equivalent to a 100-150 page novel (not adapted for classroom use).
  5. Spanish 204 must include a complete review of basic intermediate level grammar, discussion of a diversity of literary texts and other media (film, news, short essays, cartoons, etc.). Reading assignments at end of course must be equivalent to a 150-200 page novel (not adapted for classroom use).

d. For a course to be approved as a Spanish 300 equivalency: 

  • Reading: Student in literature or culture course should be exposed to extensive reading of original (rather than adapted) texts.
  • Spanish 301 must include extensive work in advanced Spanish grammar and some stylistics. Emphasis on developing competency in diverse registers and text types through process writing. Daily writing assignments, two exams on grammar and reading topics, five compositions and a final 6-7 page paper.
  • Spanish 302 must include a study in depth of Spanish morphology and syntax. Emphasis should be given to the reflection of grammar usage in real contexts. Evaluation in this course should include at least three 3- 4 page papers on a grammar issue.
  • Spanish 303 must include extensive work in oral production. Emphasis on developing oral competency in diverse registers. Daily oral assignments, and one major presentation on a socio-cultural or socio-political aspect of any Spanish-speaking country.

In addition the minimum number of contact hours, transfer course syllabus, type and amount of required work, and evaluation methods must be equivalent to those of specific Duke Spanish course for which student is seeking credit.

e. If the transfer course fulfills the requirements for the FL code given in part c or d above, complete the FL form and submit with the necessary documentation to the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

f. If the transfer course is granted a Mode of Inquiry FL code, the FL code will be added to the course on your Duke Advisement Report. (Note: Modes of Inquiry designations do not appear on your transcript.)

4. After receiving a Mode of Inquiry FL code for a transfer course:

a. If the FL code fulfills your language requirement in Spanish at Duke, then no further action is necessary.

b. If the FL code is not the last one you need in order to complete your language requirement in Spanish at Duke, consult the Spanish self-placement guide to determine which course is most appropriate for you. If after reading the self-placement guide you are still unsure, check the Duke Simple Syllabus site and look at past course syllabi to see what content is covered in our Spanish courses, or send an e-mail to spanish@duke.edu. Include all the information requested under self-placement on the Spanish Language Studies webpage.