Weinberg College
of Arts & Sciences

Credit Recognition for Students Entering 2016-17

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. AP and IB credits generally count toward the 45 units of credit needed for a Weinberg degree, even if they are not being used for distribution requirements or major/minor requirements, but they do not count toward the Undergraduate Registration Requirement.

Note: Chinese and Japanese information updated November 2015.

See below for important information about how these credits can be used.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credits

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credits

NOTE: The following list is not exhaustive. Northwestern grants credit for sufficiently high scores on most HL (Higher Level) IB exams. For more information, contact the Weinberg College Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising. Northwestern does not grant credit for any SL (Subsidiary Level) IB exams.

Note: If you have taken an exam not listed here (British A-Levels, for example) and wish to discuss earning credit, bring a copy of your score report to the Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising, 1922 Sheridan Rd.

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. 

Graduation Requirements 

AP and IB credits generally count toward the 45 units of credit needed for a Weinberg degree, even if they are not being counted toward distribution requirements, requirements for majors or minors, etc. There is no cap on the number of credits a student may earn via AP and IB tests, but these credits do not count toward Northwestern's Undergraduate Registration Requirement (URR), which specifies how many quarters must be spent at Northwestern and how many units of credit must be earned through NU courses. No matter how many AP or IB credits you have on your transcript, you must still be registered at Northwestern for a minimum of 9 quarters and earn at least 32 units at the University. (Some students in special programs will have different requirements.)

Consult our information about AP/IB credits and the relevant departments for more information.