Georgetown University: School of Foreign Service in Qatar

In order to earn the BSFS degree, every student in the School of Foreign Service must demonstrate that he or she has the minimum skills necessary to complete academic or professional work in a modern language other than English.

SFS-Q students must plan carefully in advance to complete the proficiency requirement. (For students beginning language instruction, preparation for language proficiency will take 7 semesters.)  Review the language proficiency guidelines published by the School of Foreign Service and meet with Assistant Dean John Crist in order to formulate a comprehensive plan of study.

Certification of Native Speaker Status:

Students whose first language is not English may request to be certified as native speakers of a language. Georgetown considers a student a native-speaker of a language if the student graduated from a secondary (or high) school that used the student's first language as the primary language of instruction and if the student is qualified to enter a university that offers primary instruction in that language. In order to be certified as a native speaker, students must present appropriate documentation to the Dean's Office.

Passing a Language Proficiency Examination:

Students who are not native speakers of a modern foreign language must pass a language proficiey examination administered by Georgetown University faculty. Students need the equivalent of seven semesters of university study in a foreign language in order to qualify for the examination. (This includes six semesters of language instruction plus a post-advanced course.)

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