Retroactive Credits

This policy applies to you if your first enrollment at Western Michigan University was fall 2011 or after. Department of World Languages and Literatures students who entered WMU before fall 2011 are considered under the policy in effect at the time of entry.

Visit 410 Sprau Tower to process any retroactive credits.

French and German

If you take the placement test and are placed into French or German 2010 or the 3000 level, it is possible to receive retroactive credits by completing additional courses in the language. See the examples below. According to the WMU undergraduate catalog description of the major and minor in effect when you first enrolled at the University, these credits may or may not count toward the major or minor. They do count toward the total number of credits necessary for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science at WMU.

If you place into FREN 2010 or GER 2010 and receive a grade of C or better in the course, retroactive credit may be purchased for 2000 (four credit hours).

If you place into the 3000 level in French or German and receive a grade of C or better in the first 3000 level course you take (typically 3160 or 3170), retroactive credit may be purchased for 2000. You may also receive retroactive credit for 2010 by earning a C or better in the next 3000 level course (eight credit hours total).

Retroactive credit can also be earned via Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Exams. Contact the department for more information.

If you are a native speaker of French or German, you are not eligible to receive retroactive credit under the process described above. You will be eligible for credits if you complete a major or minor in French or German. For purposes of this policy, you are a native speaker if you have received your secondary education in French or German in a French- or German-speaking country. Determination of eligibility for retroactive credit in unusual cases will be made by an advisor of French or German.

You may take courses at the 3000 level and above, with the exception of 3160, 3170, 4520 and 4530. In certain cases, you may be able to take 4520, but only with the permission of an advisor of French or German. Determination of the courses necessary for the major or minor will be made by the advisor of French or German. If you complete a major in French or German, you will be eligible to receive a maximum of eight hours of retroactive credit. Determination of this credit will be made by the advisor of French or German. In order to receive this credit, you must declare and complete a major in French or German. If you declare and complete a minor in French or German, you will be eligible to receive a maximum of four hours of retroactive credit as approved by the advisor of French or German.

In accordance with University policy, a $100 fee is charged for each four-hour course in which a student receives retroactive credit.

Latin and Classical Greek

Students in Latin may receive retroactive credits equivalent to four hours for Basic Latin I (LAT 1000) and/or four credits for Basic Latin II (LAT 1010) by completing one or more advanced courses with a grade of C or better.

If you place:

• Into LAT 1010, you will receive four hours of retroactive credit for the preceding level (1000) by taking LAT 1010 and receiving a grade of C or better in that course. You will receive four hours of credit for the course taken (1010) and four hours of retroactive credit for the course passed over (1000).
• At the 2000 level in Latin, you will receive four hours of retroactive credit for the 1000 level by taking 2000 and receiving a grade of C or better in that course. You may receive an additional four hours of retroactive credit, for the 1010 level, by taking LAT 2010, 2030, 2040, or 3240 and receiving a grade of C or better in that course.
• Into Basic Greek II (GREK 1010), you will receive four hours of retroactive credit for the preceding level (1000) by taking GREK 1010 and receiving a grade of C or better in that course. You will thus receive four hours of credit for the course taken (1010) and four hours of retroactive credit for the course passed over (1000).

In accordance with University policy, a $100 fee is charged for each four-hour course in which a student receives retroactive credit.

Arabic, Chinese, Japanese

Students in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese may receive retroactive credits equivalent to four hours for the 1000-level course and/or four credits for 1010 level by completing one or more advanced courses with a grade of C or better.

If you place:

• Into 1010, you will receive four hours of retroactive credit for the preceding level (1000) by taking 1010 and receiving a grade of C or better in that course. You will receive four hours of credit for the course taken (1010) and four hours of retroactive credit for the course passed over (1000).
• At the 2000 level in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese, you will receive four hours of retroactive credit for the 1000 level by taking 2000 and receiving a grade of C or better in that course. You may receive an additional four hours of retroactive credit, for the 1010 level, by taking the 2010 level course and receiving a grade of C or better in that course.

Native speakers of Arabic, Chinese and Japanese are not eligible to receive retroactive credit under the process described above. However, if you are a native speaker of Arabic, Chinese or Japanese, you will be eligible for credits if you complete a minor in your language. For purposes of this policy, you are a native speaker if you have received your secondary education in a foreign language, in a country where the language is spoken. Determination of eligibility for retroactive credit in unusual cases will be made by an advisor of the language.

You may take courses at the 3000 level and above as determined by the advisor in the language. If you complete a minor in Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese you will be eligible to receive a maximum of four hours of retroactive credit. Determination of this credit will be made by an advisor of the language. In order to receive this credit, you must declare and complete a minor in the language.

In accordance with University policy, a $100 fee is charged for each four-hour course in which a student receives retroactive credit.