Credit Recognition for Students Entering 2012-13
AP and IB credits can be used to satisfy distribution requirements and part or all of the foreign language requirement. In some cases they can also substitute for particular courses. See below for important information about how these credits can be used.
Note: Comparative Government and Politics added May 2012.
| Exam | Score | Course Credit Authorized | Distribution Credit Authorized (see note, below) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art History | 5 | 1 unit (Art History 2XX) | None |
| Studio Art | 5 | 1 unit (Art 1XX) | None |
| Biology | 5 | 1 unit (Biology 1XX) | None |
| Chemistry | 3, 4 | 1.34 units (Chem 10l and lab course 121); placement in Chem 171/181 | 1 unit, Area I |
| 5 | 4 units (Chem 101, 102, 103 and lab courses 121, 122, 123); placement in Chem 210-1 or 212-1/232-1 | 1 unit, Area I | |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 1 unit (Chinese 2XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Chinese 2XX) | None | |
| Computer Science A & AB | 4, 5 | 1 unit (EECS 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 1XX) | None |
| English (Literature) | 5 | 2 units (English 1XX) | None |
| Environmental Science | 5 | 1 unit (Env Sci 1XX) | None |
| French Language | 4 | 1 unit (French 2XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (French 2XX) | None | |
| Geography (Human) | 5 | 1 unit (Geography 1XX) | None |
| German Language | 4 | 1 unit (German 2XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (German 2XX) | None | |
| Government & Politics (American) | 5 | 1 unit (Poli Sci 2XX) | 1 unit, Area III |
| Government & Politics (Comparative) | 5 | 1 unit (Poli Sci 2XX) | 1 unit, Area III |
| History (European) | 5 | 2 units (History 2XX) | 1 unit, Area IV |
| History (U.S.) | 5 | 2 units (History 2XX) | 1 unit, Area IV |
| History (World) | 5 | 2 units (History 2XX) | 1 unit, Area IV |
| Italian | 4 | 1 unit (Italian 2XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Italian 2XX) | None | |
| Japanese | 4 | 1 unit (Japanese 2XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Japanese 2XX) | None | |
| Latin (Literature/Catullus) | 4 | 1 unit (Latin 1XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Latin 2XX) | None | |
| Latin (Vergil) | 4 | 1 unit (Latin 1XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Latin 2XX) | None | |
| Mathematics AB (or AB subscore of Mathematics BC) | 4, 5 | 1 unit (Math 220) | 1 unit, Area II |
| Mathematics BC | below 4 | see Mathematics AB | see Mathematics AB |
| 4,5 | 2 units (Math 220, Math 224) | 1 unit, Area II | |
| Music Theory | 5 | 1 unit (Gen Mus 252) | 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 2XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Spanish 2XX) | None | |
| Spanish Literature | 4 | 1 unit (Spanish 2XX) | None |
| 5 | 2 units (Spanish 2XX) | None | |
| Statistics | 4,5 | 1 unit (Statistics 202) | 1 unit, Area II |
Weinberg College Recognition for International Baccalaureate Testing
NOTE: The following list is not exhaustive. Northwestern gives credit for sufficiently high scores on most HL (Higher Level) IB exams, including all those assessing knowledge of a foreign language. For more information, contact the Weinberg College Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising. Northwestern does not give credit for any SL (Subsidiary Level) IB exams.
| International Baccalaureate higher level examination | Score | Northwestern credit | Distribution credit authorized (see sidebar note) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 6,7 | 1 unit (Biology 1XX) | None |
| Chemistry | 5,6 | 1.34 units (Chem 10l and lab course 121); placement in Chem 171/181 | 1 unit, Area 1 |
| 7 | 4 units (Chem 101, 102, 103 and lab courses 121, 122, 123); placement in Chem 210-1 or 212-1/232-1 | 1 unit, Area 1 | |
| Computer Science | 5,6,7 | 1 unit (EECS 110) | 1 unit, Area II |
| Economics | 6,7 | 2 units (Econ 201, 202) | 1 unit, Area III |
| English | 6,7 | 1 unit (English 1XX) | None |
| History (European or American) |
6,7 | 2 units (History 2XX) | 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.