AP/IB and Course Credit FAQs

For certain languages, scores can be used to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English, and/or inform placement in a language sequence (see AP and IB Language Credit at the Language Resource Center).

Consult our AP/IB credit tables to see how particular scores are recognized for foundational discipline requirements (refer to 2023-2024 and more recent tables), or distribution requirements (refer to the 2022-2023 and older tables). No more than two AP or IB credits total may be applied towards the foundational discipline or distribution requirements, and two units may not be applied in any one area/discipline.

Some credits are applicable towards certain Weinberg College majors and minors.

Units of credit may be applied toward the required number of credits to graduate, subject to limitations based on the Undergraduate Registration Requirement which specifies how many units of credit must be earned through Northwestern coursework.

If you took college courses while in high school, you may be able to have those credits transferred to Northwestern. There are restrictions on the types of credits we accept and how those credits may be used. 

In general, Weinberg College will give you credit for liberal arts courses provided that all of the following conditions are met:

• The courses were taken at a fully accredited 4-year or junior college in the United States or Canada;
• The courses are not included in your high school record and were not used for fulfillment of any high school diploma requirement;
• The courses were taken primarily by college students rather than high school students;
• The courses were similar to courses offered for credit at Northwestern (e.g., American history, but not physical education). 

Learn more about submitting these courses for evaluation.

Yes, as long as it is at a four-year, accredited university you can use those credits toward Northwestern degree requirements subject to certain restrictions (for example foundational discipline requirements may not be satisfied by courses at other institutions once you’ve matriculated). See Taking Classes at Other U.S. Institutions. Note: if you are an international student planning to take courses at home during the summer, this is considered study abroad, and your plan must be approved in advance by the global learning office.

The College uses the following guidelines for granting credit: 

• Credit in Weinberg will not be given for courses that are not appropriate to the College’s curriculum or that do not meet the usual standards for credit in the College.
• For most programs, study abroad grades will not appear on your Northwestern University official transcript or figure into your cumulative GPA. 
• Students must earn a C or better to receive credit for a study abroad course.

If you attend a Northwestern-run program and take Northwestern courses with the -SA designation (direct credit), the grades will appear on your transcript and be included in your GPA.

Eligible credits from study abroad count as electives unless they are authorized to count toward major/minor credits by the department or as a general education requirement by the Weinberg Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising. See our Rules and Policies for Study Abroad webpage to learn more.