Back Credit Policy - Department of World Languages and Cultures
Effective Fall 2017, you may receive up to 9 credits for language courses not already accredited through one of the following:
1. College coursework:
For students who entered NEIU in Fall 2017 and after:
| Complete WLC Course | With Grade(s) | Back Credits for These Courses | Credits Earned | Back Credits Received | Credits Total |
| 101 = 3 | D or above | n/a | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 102 = 3 | B or above | 101 = 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 103/201 = 3 | B or above | 102 = 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 103/201 & 202 | B or above | 101 & 102 = 6 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Any one course higher than 201 | B or above | 201 = 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Two courses higher than 201 | B or above | 101 & 102 = 6 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Three courses higher than 201 | B or above | 101, 102 & 201 = 9 | 9 | 9 | 18 |
*The maximum number of Back Credits a student may receive is 9.
For students who entered NEIU in semesters before Fall 2017:
- Complete 102 (or its equivalent) with a B or above, receive up to 3 credits of 101 in the target language.
- Complete 103/201 with a B or above, receive up to 6 credits in the target language (101 and/or 102).
- Complete any course beyond 103/201 with a B or above, receive up to 9 credits in the target language (101, 102 and/or 103/201).
Print the Back Credit Form to process your back credits.
2. Advanced Placement (AP) Exam:
- Score of 3 = Up to 3 credits in the target language (103/201).
- Score of 4 = Up to 6 credits in the target language (103/201 and/or 202)
- Score of 5 = Up to 9 credits in the target language (103/201, 202 and/or one more course to be determined in consultation with the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures).
3. CLEP Exam:
- See on the for information about world languages CLEP credits.
Notes on the Back Credit Policy:
- If you have not taken a college-level language course before, take NEIU's language placement exam to determine what course you should take.
- For more information on the CLEP and AP Exams visit and .