Language Other Than English Requirement (LOTER) Hit Counter

Before graduating, CSUSM students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.

If you believe you have already met this requirement, but your student record does not yet show it as "met", please contact your primary academic advisor.

If, after reading the information below, you still have questions, please contact the LLC Director.

Click on the below links to learn about the eight ways to fulfill the LOTER.

The below three methods are in effect through the 2006-2007 academic year. Beginning with a Summer 2007 effective date, methods may change, based on current review within the University. Please check back on this website for updates.

1) Approved College-Level, Intermediate-Level Language Course (Including Study Abroad)

2) CSUSM Proficiency Examination

3) CSUSM Challenge Exam for a 201-Level Language Course

Challenge Exams are suspended until further notice. If this option would have appealed, consider taking the Proficiency Exam (without units) or enrolling in the course as a regular student (for units). In general, you can find information about this option at the World Languages and Hispanic Literatures Department.


4) Advanced Placement (AP) Foreign Language Examination

A score of three (3) or higher on one of following will clear the requirement:

  • Chinese Language & Culture
  • French Language
  • French Literature
  • German Language
  • Italian Language & Culture
  • Japanese Language & Culture
  • Latin Language
  • Latin: Vergil
  • Spanish Language
  • Spanish Literature

If the score was part of your admissions packet to CSUSM (via an official score sent by ETS directly or a score showing on another CSU transcript), then Admissions noted in your student record that you fulfilled the requirement.

If you took an AP after you applied to CSUSM, please send an official copy of your score to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment (via ETS below; or by hand-carrying a sealed, official copy). To request a score, call (609) 771-7300 or (888) 225-5427, or click here for more information. CSUSM’s institution code is 5677.

Scores are sent to:
Office of Admissions & Recruitment
California State San Marcos
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096
Phone: (760) 750-4848


5) TOEFL or Other CSUSM-Approved English Exam

If you were required to take the TOEFL or other CSUSM-approved English exam as part of your application to CSUSM, then Admissions noted in your student record that you fulfilled the requirement.

If the exam was first required and then waived, because you spent at least three years full time at a college where English was the principal language of instruction and you are GE certified, then Admissions noted in your record that you fulfilled the requirement.


6) College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Language Exam

Receiving the below score or higher on one of the below exams will clear the requirement:

  • French Level II: 47
  • German Level II: 48
  • Spanish Level II: 50

If the score was part of your admissions packet to CSUSM, then Admissions noted in your student record that you fulfilled the requirement.

If you took a CLEP after you applied to CSUSM, please send a copy of your score to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. To request a score report, call (800) 257-9558, if ordering with a credit card, or download a Transcript Request Form by clicking here. Each transcript costs $20 and shows all CLEPs taken over the last 20 years (unless you ask for some scores to be excluded). Students will be asked to provide name (as it was at testing time), date of birth, social security number, address and phone, exam title(s), test date(s), testing location(s) or center(s), and where they want scores sent.

Send scores to:
Office of Admissions & Recruitment
California State San Marcos
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096
Phone: (760) 750-4848


7) International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam

A score of Four (4) or higher on one of the following should clear the requirement:

  • French Higher Level
  • German Higher Level
  • Spanish A2 Higher Level
  • Spanish B Higher Level

If the score was part of your admissions packet to CSUSM (via an official score sent by IB directly or a score showing on another CSU transcript), then Admissions noted in your student record that you fulfilled the requirement.

If you took an IB after you applied to CSUSM, please send an official copy of your score to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment (via IB below; or by hand-carrying a sealed, official copy). To request a score, click here. Scores cost $11 each or are free if requested within the exam grace period. You will be asked to provide: your full name as it appears on your IB diploma or certificate; the month and year of examination sessions; your candidate number if available; your date of birth; the name of your high school; your e-mail address or phone number; your signature (phone or email are requests are not acceptable); and the below university address.

Send scores to:
Office of Admissions & Recruitment
California State University San Marcos
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096
Phone: (760) 750-4848


8) Completion of at least three years full-time at a high school or university where English was not the principal language of instruction

If your foreign-language high-school or college transcript was part of your admissions packet to CSUSM, Admissions noted in your student record that you fulfilled the requirement.

If this information was not given to CSUSM when you applied, please send an original transcript and (if needed) an official, certified translation to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Unofficial photocopies or faxes are not accepted. Most institutions will mail a transcript directly to CSUSM for a small fee; this is the required method unless not available.

Send official transcripts and certified translations (if needed) to:
Office of Admissions & Recruitment
California State University San Marcos
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096
Phone: (760) 750-4848

If you attended high school in a country where official transcripts are not available, please contact your advisor.

Lab Hours Tutoring Schedule Today at the Lab
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Friday
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
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Friday
Mercedes (Spanish - 100 and 200 Levels)
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
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