Test Credit and Language Credit

On this page:

• Accepted types of test credit
• Retroactive language credit details and restrictions
• How to apply for retroactive credits
• Who to contact

Accepted types of test credit

Test credits are out-of residence credit. In other words, they count as credits that were not taken on U-M Ann Arbor Campus. To learn more about how many in residence credits are required to complete an LSA degree, visit the Residency Requirements page.

LSA accepts the following types:

Advanced Placement (AP)

• Students can use AP credit as general elective credit, to fulfill the language requirement, and to fulfill major/minor prerequisites. 
• Students may not use AP to fulfill distribution or skills requirements. 
• Read more about AP guidelines.

International Baccalaureate(IB)

• Students can use IB credit as general elective credit and to fulfill distribution requirements, the language requirement, and major/minor prerequisites. 
• Read more about the IB guidelines.  

International Advanced Standing Credit (A-Level)

• Students can use A-Level credit as general elective credit and to fulfill distribution requirements and major/minor prerequisites. 
• Read more about A-levels. 

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

• The University does not accept any general exams. 
• A student may receive CLEP credit for a limited number of the subject exams if they were taken before starting at U-M. Students cannot earn credit for any CLEP exams taken after they enroll at U-M. 
• Students can use CLEP credit as general elective or to fulfill prerequisites.
• Students may not use CLEP credit to fulfill major/minor prerequisites or distribution requirements.
• Read more about the CLEP policy.

Credit by Examination (CBE)

• Students may have background in particular academic areas and feel qualified to seek credit by taking an exam. 
• Each department can decide if it is possible for students to earn credit by examination and how much. 
• To find out more, students can ask the departments directly.

Retroactive language credit details and restrictions

LSA students can earn up to 8 retroactive credits in French, German, Hebrew, Latin, and Modern & Ancient Greek.

Use the table below to find how many credits students might earn based on placement test results and which courses to take. For example, 

• Say a student's placement test placed them in French 232. (Column 1)
• Then they took French 232 and earned at least a B. (Column 2)
• They earn 4 credits for taking French 232 itself plus 4 retroactive credits (Column 3). 

Course Requirements

• Must be taken on the U-M Ann Arbor Campus
• Must be the first college course in that foreign language
• Must be designated as appropriate for retroactive credit by the department
• Must be taken for a letter grade (Pass/Fail courses do not qualify for retroactive credit)
• Must earn a B or better

Timing

• There is no time limit on retroactive credit
• However, students should complete coursework and apply within their first year in LSA

Credit Limits

• Maximum of 8 credits combined through test credit and retroactive language credits
• Transfer students can get transfer credit OR retroactive credits, not both

Eligibility

• Retroactive credit is intended for students who learned the language through formal instruction
• Students who grew up speaking the language at home or through community immersion are not eligible
• Contact the department advisor with any questions

How to apply for retroactive credits

1. Enroll in the appropriate course identified in Column 2 in the table above and complete the course with a grade of B or better on the U-M Ann Arbor Campus.
2. Email LSA.Student.Records@umich.edu to request retroactive credits and include the following information:
   • Name
   • UMID
   • Course taken that qualifies for retroactive credits. 

If the student is awarded credits, approximately 2 months after the end of the term, it will appear on the transcript as “Credit By Exam.” 

Who to contact

• LSA Student Records: lsa.student.records@umich.edu

Related policies

• Credit Limits for Major Department
• Credit Load
• LSA and Non-LSA Credit
• Residency Requirements
• Transfer Credit