College students can fulfill the language requirement in Italian in one of two ways:
- By presenting a score of 650 or above on the SAT II in Italian or a comparable score on a written departmental test. Students with an SAT II score between 600-640 are eligible to take an oral test during the first week of the semester. If they pass the oral test, they are exempt from the language requirement.
- By successfully completing Italian 0400 or 0340
Students with Italian language experience can fulfill the language requirement with a successful score on the in-person departmental placement exam which takes place during New Student Orientation (NSO), at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, and during the advanced registration period.
Wharton students (entering Fall 2017 or later) and Nursing students (entering Fall 2023 and beyond)
- General information about the Wharton language requirement and foreign language policy can be found here.
- Wharton and Nursing students with Italian language experience can fulfill the language requirement with a successful score on the in-person departmental placement exam which takes place at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, and during the advanced registration period.
- Students without an AP, SAT II, or IB Higher Level score should take the in-person department exam during New Student Orientation (NSO). After NSO, make-up exams are offered a few times a semester. Contact the Undergraduate Coordinator for more information.
- Once the language sequence is begun at Penn, it cannot be fulfilled by taking course work at another institution without the written permission of the Director of the Italian Language Program.
Students who have previously studied Italian elsewhere should consult our policies on Placement and Transfer Credit.
Please contact the Language Program Director if you have any questions.