WKU Modern Languages: Placement

CLEP examination and credit

The Department of Modern Languages recognizes scores earned on the CLEP examination in French, German, and Spanish and awards 6 to 12 hours of credit (the equivalent of 2, 3, or 4 semesters of elementary and/or intermediate language study). Students who are enrolled in a French, German, or Spanish course at the 200-level or above and who wish to gain credit for courses they have placed out of by taking the CLEP exam must do so before completing a college-level course in that language. In addition, they must take the exam according to these deadlines:

by the end of the fourth week of the fall or winter semester
by the end of the first week of a biterm or of the May or January term

CLEP scores received from students already enrolled in a French, German, or Spanish course after these deadlines will not be recognized by the department.

We strongly urge students to take this examination before entering Western, so that their foreign language placement will be certain. Contact the Testing Service at WKU (270-745-3159) for information on testing dates. A fee is charged. (CLEP information outline)

Advanced Placement (AP) Policy

Credit for AP (Advanced Placement) achievement: Students can earn 9 hours of credit for AP scores. In all cases, the University foreign language requirement in general education is fulfilled.

The student presenting an AP score of 3 is given credit for the first, second, and third semesters of college-level language study (FREN/GERM/SPAN 101, 102, 201, 9 credit hours in total) and may enroll in FREN/GERM/SPAN 202.
The student presenting an AP score of 4 is given credit for the second, third, and fourth semesters of college-level language study (FREN/GERM/SPAN 102, 201, 202, 9 credit hours in total) and may enroll in a 300-level FREN/GERM/SPAN course.
The student presenting an AP score of 5 is given credit for the third and fourth semesters of college level language study (FREN/GERM/SPAN 201 and 202) and for the following 300-level course (9 credit hours in total), depending on the examination taken:

AP French Language exam: FREN 320
AP French Literature exam: FREN 314
AP German Language exam: GERM 330
SPAN Language exam: SPAN 371
SPAN Literature exam: SPAN 374

This policy is in effect as of April 7, 2003. See the following table for an overview of the policy and the course credit granted for the various examinations.

MLIS Department Policy on AP credit

French Language

Score

3
4
5

Hours

9
9
9

Course

101, 102, and 201
102, 201, and 202
201, 202, and 320

French Literature

Score

3
4
5

Hours

9
9
9

Course

101, 102, and 201
102, 201, and 202
201, 202, and 314

German

Score

3
4
5

Hours

9
9
9

Course

101, 102, and 201
102, 201, and 202
201, 202, and 330

Spanish Language

Score

3
4
5

Hours

9
9
9

Course

101, 102, and 201
102, 201, and 202
201, 202, and 371

Spanish Literature

Score

3
4
5

Hours

9
9
9

Course

101, 102, and 201
102, 201, and 202
201, 202, and 374