Anyone know any good colleges for foreign languages?

Question

I've been studying Spanish and Japanese and I want to go to a school to earn a B.A. I'd prefer to take online/distance learning courses if possible.
Also, if I've been studying a foreign language on my own, can I take a placement test in order to skip lower level classes and get a degree more quickly?

I'm not in the U.S., which is why I want a distance learning course.

Answer 1

Brigham Young University has the best language program in the country. You can major in dozens of languages. A lot of people there test out of the requirements completely, so they get an extra 20 or so credits before even enrolling.

The catch is it's a private religious school, and damn hard to get into.

Answer 2

I'm not sure about the distance/online courses - you'll have to check with the individual schools on that. But in general, yes, before you start studying, you'll take a placement test to see which course/level you'll need to start with.

New York University has a fine and extensive foreign language program. Likewise Columbia University. Also check the New School for Social Research, as they offer quite a bit online.

Some excellent schools that offer online BAs include:

University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Denver
University of Maryland
Duke University
Drexel
Carnegie Mellon
Penn State
Ball State
U Nebraska - Lincoln
Babson
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
University of Illinois

Although you'll have to check to see if they offer their foreign language programs online. I do think your best bet for online foreign language may be NYU and the New School.

Also check your local universities. If your state has a "flagship" campus - for example, The University of Massachusetts in Amherst - that campus should offer an extensive collection of foreign language majors from which you can pick.