Credit Recognition for Students Entering 2009-10
Students entering in September 2006 or later may satisfy up to TWO of the twelve Distribution Requirements through Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits. These credits must be in two different distribution areas.
| Exam | Score | Course Credit Authorized | Distribution Credit Authorized (see note, below) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art History | 5 | 1 unit (Art History 2X) | None |
| Studio Art | 5 | 1 unit (Art 1X) | None |
| Biology | 5 | 1 unit (Biology 1X) | None |
| Chemistry | 3, 4 | 1 unit (Chem 10l; placement in 171) | 1 unit, Area I |
| 5 | 3 units (Chem 101, 102, 103); placement in Chem 210-1 or 212-1 | 1 unit, Area I | |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 1 unit (AAL 2X - Chinese) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (AAL 2X - Chinese) | None | |
| Computer Science A & AB | 4, 5 | 1 unit (Comp Sci 110) | 1 unit, Area II |
| Economics-Macro | 5 | 1 unit (Economics 201) | 1 unit, Area III |
| Economics-Micro | 5 | 1 unit (Economics 202) | 1 unit, Area III |
| English (Language) | 5 | 2 units (English 1X) | None |
| English (Literature) | 5 | 2 units (English 1X) | None |
| Environmental Science | 5 | 1 unit (Env Sci 1X) | None |
| French Language | 4 | 1 unit (French 2X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (French 2X) | None | |
| French Literature | 4 | 1 unit (French 2X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (French 2X) | 1 unit, Area VI | |
| Geography (Human) | 5 | 1 unit (Geography 1X) | None |
| German Language | 4 | 1 unit (German 2X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (German 2X) | None | |
| Government (American) | 5 | 1 unit (Poli Sci 2X [Am Govt]) | 1 unit, Area III |
| History (European) | 5 | 2 units (History 2X) | 1 unit, Area IV |
| History (U.S.) | 5 | 2 units (History 2X) | 1 unit, Area IV |
| History (World) | 5 | 2 units (History 2X) | 1 unit, Area IV |
| Italian | 4 | 1 unit (Italian 2X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Italian 2X) | None | |
| Japanese | 4 | 1 unit (AAL 2X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (AAL 2X) | None | |
| Latin (Literature/Catullus) | 4 | 1 unit (Latin 1X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Latin 2X) | None | |
| Latin (Vergil) | 4 | 1 unit (Latin 1X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Latin 2X) | None | |
| Mathematics AB (or AB subscore of Mathematics BC) | 4 | 1 unit (Math 220) | 1 unit, Area II |
| 5 | 2 units (Math 220, Math 224) | 1 unit, Area II | |
| Mathematics BC | below 4 | see Mathematics AB | see AB< |
| 4,5 | 2 units (Math 220, Math 224) | 1 unit, Area II | |
| Physics B | 5 | 2 units (Physics 130-1,2) | 1 unit, Area I |
| Physics C-l | 5 | 1 unit (Physics 135-1) | 1 unit, Area I |
| Physics C-2 | 5 | 1 unit (Physics 135-2) | 1 unit, Area I |
| Psychology | 4,5 | 1 unit ( Psychology 110) | 1 unit, Area III |
| Spanish Language | 4 | 1 unit (Spanish 2X) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Spanish 2X) | None | |
| Spanish Literature | 4 | 1 unit (Spanish 2X) | 1 unit, Area VI |
| 5 | 2 units (Spanish 2X) | 1 unit, Area VI | |
| Statistics | 4,5 | 1 unit (Statistics 202) | 1 unit, Area II |
Northwestern does not offer credit for AP results in comparative government or music.
Weinberg College Recognition for International Baccalaureate Testing
| International Baccalaureate higher level examination | Score | Northwestern Credit | Distribution Credit Authorized (see note, below) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 6,7 | 1 unit (Biology 1X) | None |
| Chemistry | 5,6 | 1 unit (Chem 101, placement in 171) | 1 unit, Area 1 |
| 7 | 3 units (Chem 101, 102, 103); placement in Chem 210-1 or 212-1 |
1 unit, Area 1 | |
| Computer Science | 5,6,7 | 1 unit (Comp Sci 110) | 1 unit, Area II |
| Economics | 6,7 | 2 units (Econ 201, 202) | 1 unit, Area III |
| English | <6,7 | 1 unit (English 1X) | None |
| History (European or American) |
6,7 | 2 units (History 2X) | 1 unit, Area IV |
| Mathematics |
5, 6 | 1 unit (Math 220) | 1 unit, Area II |
| 7 | 2 units (Math 220, Math 224) | 1 unit, Area II |
Using AP and IB credits
Distribution Requirements
You can satisfy up to two of the twelve distribution requirements through AP or IB credits. These credits must be in two different areas. The table above shows in which area (if any) a credit can count.
Foreign Language Requirement
Your AP credit can give you placement toward your foreign language requirement or complete it altogether. To find out where your score places you, consult the Council on Language Instruction brochure or contact the department. You can also consult our Foreign Language Proficiency Table for details on how the requirement can be satisfied. With the exception of Hindi and Urdu, IB credit alone cannot be used to complete the foreign language requirement; contact the relevant department for information on how to demonstrate proficiency or on which course to take next.
Course Equivalents
If your score gives you credit for a specific course number (e.g., Econ 201), you are considered to have completed the equivalent of that course. If the table indicates you get credit for 1XX or 2XX, that means you have earned a generic 100- or 200-level credit in that department. In some cases, this credit can be used to place out of introductory-level courses.
Consult our information about AP/IB credits and the relevant departments for more information.