Academic Catalog

Policy Summary

The purpose of the Retrocredits Policy for Global Languages and Cultures is to recognize and award academic credit to students who demonstrate introductory proficiency in a language based on experiences received prior to students’ enrollment at NAU. This policy ensures that students receive equitable credit for prior language knowledge—whether gained through previous study (including high school), heritage language use, or lived experience - while maintaining academic integrity, transparent criteria, and consistent application across all eligible language programs. It supports timely degree progression, encourages enrollment in advanced language courses, and aligns the awarding of retroactive credits with established curricular standards and university policies.

Policy

Retrocredits (retroactive credits) are degree credits awarded for beginning and intermediate (first and second year) study to students who demonstrate proficiency in a non-English language by successfully completing an approved course beyond the first semester level with a grade of B or higher. Students do not earn retrocredits simply by taking a placement test; they must enroll in and complete the eligible course to validate prior knowledge.

For example, if a student took 4 years of high-school Spanish, they could be eligible to take SPA 303 and earn 16 units of credit (credit for SPA 101, 102, 201, 202), contingent on receiving a "B" in the SPA 303 course.

Placement is determined by the number of years of previous (e.g., high-school) foreign-language study and/or by consultation with an advisor from the Global Languages and Cultures department.

To be eligible for retroactive credit, the course you complete must be the first college-level course you take in this language, whether at NAU or any other institution, including community colleges. Prior credit earned through AP, IB, CLEP, or other college-level coursework in the same language makes you ineligible for retroactive credit, regardless of whether those credits appear on your transcript.

Students are responsible for accurately reporting all prior language coursework. Failure to disclose previously earned college-level credit in the language will be considered academic dishonesty under NAU’s Academic Integrity Policy.

If you are uncertain about how previous coursework or credit may affect your eligibility, please consult the Department of Global Languages and Cultures before submitting payment or proceeding with a retrocredit request.

Students may not attempt to earn retroactive credit in the same language more than once during their undergraduate career. However, a student who receives a ‘W’ (withdraw) in an eligible course may reapply for retroactive credit, as no credit in the language has yet been earned.

Students simultaneously enrolled in 2 or more courses that are eligible for retroactive credit application can only apply for retroactive credits in one of those courses. For example, if a student takes both SPA 303 and SPA 301 in the same semester, they can only apply for retroactive credits in either SPA 303 or SPA 301, but not in both. 

Participation in the retrocredit process requires a formal application to the Department of Global Languages and Cultures, which retains final authority to review and determine exceptions in individual cases.

Students who apply for retroactive credit and earn a B or better in the following prefixes (CHI, FRE, GER, ITA, JPN, NAV, SPA) having the following course numbers:

• 102/105 – will be given 4 retroactive credits for the corresponding 101 course.
• 201/209 – will be given 8 retroactive credits for the corresponding 101 and 102 courses.
• 202 – will be given 12 retroactive credits for the corresponding 101, 102, and 201 courses.
• CHI 303, FRE 301, GER 303, JPN 303, SPA 301, SPA 303, SPA 309 or SPA 311 301, 303, or 311– will be given 16 retroactive credits for the corresponding 101, 102, 201, and 202 courses.
• FRE 304W, FRE 309W, GER 304W, SPA 304W, SPA 312W – will be given 16 retroactive credits for the corresponding 101, 102, 201, and 202 courses.
• For CHI 304W, JPN 304W, – will be given 16 retroactive credits for the corresponding 101, 102, 201, and 202 courses; students can only enroll into CHI 304W or JPN 304W before taking the prerequisite course CHI 303 or JPN 303 with the consent of the instructor.

Students must submit their retrocredit application during pre‑registration, during summer registration for incoming students, or within the first four weeks of the semester in which they enroll in a university‑level language course. Retrocredit eligibility applies only when a student is enrolling in their first university course in that language.

Retrocredit awarded by Northern Arizona University cannot be transferred to another institution.

Upon successful completion of the university‑level language course with a grade of B or higher, the student will be awarded ungraded retroactive credit for the prerequisite courses in that language.