Retroactive Credit in a Foreign Language at WSU

WSU students may qualify for credit for previous world language experience. Language learning in courses prior to entering college, including high school language experience, can be validated by earning a grade of 2.000 or better in a WSU language course or courses beyond the first course in that language. For placement purposes, it is assumed that one year of high school language is equivalent to one semester of college-level language. The credit earned by validation of previous experience is called retroactive credit.

Retroactive credit hours are considered to be credit by examination and are posted on the student鈥檚 transcript with a grade of TCrE (credit by examination). Students pay for retroactive credit on a course-by-course basis.

Undergraduate students can apply for and earn a maximum of 16 credit hours of retroactive credit. Retroactive credit is not available for graduate students.

Students qualify for retroactive credit by completing the required validation course or courses, showing that a grade of 2.000 or better has been earned and posted to the student鈥檚 transcript for each required course, and completing the application process to claim the credit. Credit can be claimed at any time before graduation, allowing a reasonable time for processing.

A validation course is more advanced than the first course in that language. Validation courses are specified for each language and each level of retroactive credit. They must be taken at WSU. If a student fails to earn a grade of 2.000 in a required validation course, the student may retake the class and apply for retroactive credit once the grade of 2.000 or better is achieved and posted on the transcript.

International students for whom English is a second language cannot earn retroactive credit in their native language.

Credit earned at other college-level institutions, including community colleges, already appears on the student鈥檚 transcript and is therefore not eligible for retroactive credit.

Retroactive credit earned at WSU is not automatically transferable to other institutions. If planning to transfer to another school, consult with the institution regarding its retroactive credit transfer policies.

Applications, validation course listings, and further information are all available at the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center, 115 Grace Wilkie Hall.

Participation in this program is by application to the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center, which retains authority for final approval.

Questions about Retroactive Credit should be referred to an academic advisor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center in 115 Grace Wilkie Hall, or by phone at (316) 978-3700, option 2.

Example of the Retroactive Credit Process for Spanish:

  • Student enrolls in Spanish 204 at WSU. (Spanish 204 is an approved validation course).
  • Student earns a 2.0 in Spanish 204 that semester.
  • Grades for Spanish 204, the validation course, are posted for the semester.
  • Student files a Retro-Credit application in the LAS Advising Center in 115 Grace Wilkie Hall.
  • Student is eligible to pay and receive credit for Spanish 104 (3 hours), Spanish 105 (3 hours), and Spanish 106 (3 hours).
  • Students wants to claim 9 hours of credit.
  • Credit is assessed at $50 per class, for a total of $150.
  • LAS Advising Center processes the request and 9 hours of credit for Spanish 104, 105, and 106 are posted to the student's official transcript.