Global Languages and Cultures

Retroactive Credit  

Summer 2013 Retrocredit Applications / Spring 2013 deadline to apply has passed

Deadlines to submit Retrocredit applications during summer sessions are by the end of the first week and none of it is done online. Please contact Alexandria McConocha in BAA (Bldg 23) Room 108 for assistance with the summer Retrocredit application process PRIOR to the start of your summer session.

How retroactive credits work (see Video Link in the box at the upper righthand corner of this page)

Retrocredits are only valid at Northern Arizona University; they will not transfer to another institution. 

If you successfully complete the language course (with a grade of B or better), you will receive credit hours for the course you are enrolled in and the appropriate number of un-graded retroactive credit hours IF you have paid the fee and submitted the hardcopy application before the deadline.

If you receive a C, you will pass the course and receive credits for that course but you will not earn the retroactive credits for the skipped courses. You are not allowed to attempt to earn retroactive credits in the same language more than once during your college career.

Again, participation in this program is by hardcopy application only, to the Global Languages and Cultures Department. The application can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

Qualifications

This must be the first course in this language you have taken at NAU or any other university or community college (this includes CLEP, IB, and AP credit). Students are not eligible for retroactive credit in a language they have earned credits for at the university or community college level. 

Students who have taken language courses in high school, have acquired language skills from travel/living abroad, family of origin, etc. are some examples of the students who are eligible for retro credits. 

Retrocredits are only valid at NAU, they will not transfer to another institution. If a student successfully completes the NAU language course (102 or above, skipping 101 or more) with a grade of B or better, and has submitted a hardcopy application before the deadline, the student receives credit hours for the course they are enrolled in and the appropriate number of un-graded retroactive credit hours.

Students are not allowed to attempt to earn retroactive credits in the same language more than once during their college career. Participation in this program is by application to the Department of Global Languages & Cultures which retains final authority to adjudicate exception cases. 

Procedure

Based on their previous experience, students enroll at their predicted entry level (assistance required). Spanish students MUST take the Online Placement Exam and follow the Instructions for Enrollment. We recommend students of other languages be placed by an instructor; however, this is not always feasible. When placement is not otherwise available, advisors can predict entry level by assuming that one (1) year of high school language with a grade of B or better is the equivalent to one (1) semester of college language. Students apply for retroactive credit within the first four weeks of the semester in which they are enrolled in the retroactive credit eligible course - students do not apply for retroactive credit before their enrollment in the appropriate course. Students will have only the first week of a semester to move up or down in level due to the stringent attendance requirements in language classes.

Deadline

You must apply and pay for retroactive credit within the first four weeks of the semester in which you are attempting the language. This deadline is set by ABOR and cannot be overridden or surpassed by NAU.

Cost

There is a $30 non-refundable processing fee for the retrocredit application. You must make your payment online (the link is below) and print the receipt. This charge will not appear on your Louie Account. This fee is non-refundable. Make sure you are eligible for retrocredits before you pay the fee and hand in the hard copy application.

Processing timeline

Retrocredits will usually be posted to the student’s transcripts 8-12 weeks after final grades are posted. Each hardcopy application must be manually processed by three different people.

Retroactive credit policy

Students who apply for retroactive credit and earn a B or better in:

• 102 - will be given retroactive credit for the corresponding 101 course upon successful completion of 102
• 201 - will be given retroactive credit for the corresponding 101 and 102 courses upon successful completion of 201
• 202 - will be given retroactive credit for the corresponding 101, 102, and 201 courses upon successful completion of 202
• 301, 303 or 303W - will be given retroactive credit for the corresponding 101, 102, 201, and 202 courses upon successful completion of 301, 303 or 303W

Retroactive credit level course equivalency