Credit by Examination Policy, Fall 2008

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Credit by examination allows students who have already obtained a certain level of language proficiency before coming to SLU to receive a maximum of three hours of additional credit.  Only students who are currently enrolled or will be enrolling in their first language classes at St. Louis University are eligible.

The first step is to take the WebCape placement test. This is generally done in connection with SLU 101 or may also be taken in the Language Learning Center in Ritter Hall 325. The test is computer based, and you are placed according to the test score, of which you receive a printout. You do not receive any credit for “skipped” courses.

If you wish to receive a maximum of three hours of credit for the 110, 115 and 210 level courses (provided you have not imported any language credits through AP or 1818), this can be accomplished by taking an additional exam. This examination can be taken between Monday, August 25th, 2008 and  Friday, September 19th, 2008.  Please keep in mind that most examinations for credit include an interview with a faculty member as a final step; this interview must be completed before the deadline. As elaborated below, Credit by Examination is handled differently for each language.

A Challenge Exam may also be taken to receive credit for the 310, 315, 410 and 415 level courses. To do so, please contact the same professors listed below.  The Challenge Exam is generally reserved for native or near-native level speakers as a way to satisfy the foreign language requirement.

French

• Take the computerized placement test in the Language Leaning Center in Ritter Hall 325 and get a printout of the results. If you test into FR A-115 or above, you may take a further test to see if you qualify for three hours of credit.
• Take the Listening Comprehension Test in the Language Learning Center in Ritter Hall 325. A lab assistant will set you up with the proper material. The test generally takes around 30 minutes. Take “Auditory Comprehension Test Level LA or LB” to test out of FR A-110. Take “Auditory Comprehension Test Level MA or MB” to test out of FR A-115 and/or FR A-210.
• Make an appointment for an oral interview with Dr. Pascale Perraudin (perraup@slu.edu, 314/977-3663, Ritter Hall 305).

German

• Take the computerized placement test in the Language Leaning Center in Ritter Hall 325 and get a printout of the results. If you test into GR A-115 or above, you may take a further oral test to see if you qualify for three hours of credit.
• Make an appointment to see Dr. Evelyn Meyer (emeyer16@slu.edu, 314/977-3665, Ritter Hall 305) to arrange to take the oral exam.
  

Greek

• Make an appointment to see Dr. Anthony Daly, S.J. (dalyac@slu.edu, 314/977-2451, Ritter Hall 303).

Italian

• Make an appointment to see Dr. Simone Bregni (bregni@slu.edu, 314/977-3668, Ritter Hall 322).
• After a short preliminary interview, you will be given a written placement test.  There is also a short oral interview.

Latin

• Make an appointment to see Dr. Joan Hart-Hasler (harthaj@slu.edu, 314/977-2460, Ritter Hall 200A).

Russian

• Make an appointment to see Dr. David Murphy (murphydt@slu.edu, 314/977-2454 or 7181, Ritter Hall 315).

 Spanish

• You can take these Examinations only during the first four weeks of every semester.
• Take the computerized placement test in the Language Learning Center in Ritter Hall 325 and get a printout of the results. If you test into SP A-115 or above, you may take a further exam to see if you qualify for three hours of credit.
• After taking the language placement test, and if in this test you were placed at a level of foreign language proficiency higher than the 110 level (first semester Spanish), you may take additional testing during the first four weeks of the semester to get Credit by Examination. If successful, you will earn 3 credits for the highest level of language you tested out of. For example:  If the WebCape Test placed you at the 210 level (third semester Spanish), you may take an additional Listening Test plus an Oral Exam to earn 3 credits for the 115 level (second semester Spanish).
• In the Language Learning Center, Ritter Hall 325, ask the lab assistant to set up the listening test for you. You need to indicate the level (Spanish-110, 115 or 210) which you would like to test out of.
• After taking the listening test, make an appointment to see Dr. Nil Santiáñez for an oral interview (nilstio@slu.edu, 314/977-3147, Ritter Hall 337). There will also be a sign-up sheet on his door at the beginning of the semester. The interview will take approximately 15 minutes.
• You CANNOT take Credit by Examination to get credit for:
  • A Spanish course that is above or at the same level of a Spanish course you are taking or have taken. Examples: You cannot be taking 310 and try to get Credit by Examination for 315, 410 or 415. You cannot be taking 210 and get Credit by Examination for 210, 310, 315, 410 or 415. You cannot be taking 115 and try to get Credit by Examination for 115, 210, 315, 410 or 415.
  • A Spanish course at a lower level than a Spanish course you have already taken. Examples: You cannot get Credit by Examination for 210 if you have a grade and credit for any course above 210. You cannot get Credit by Examination for 310/315 if you have a grade and credit for any course above 310/315. You cannot get Credit by Examination for 410/415 if you have a grade and credit for any course above 410/415.  

The deadline to complete this process is September 19th, 2008.

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