Transferring your credits

If you’ve earned college credits in high school or at a different college, we’ll accept them! (The courses need to be numbered above 100 and you need to earn a C or better.) If you’re transferring 30 or more credits, you must complete your final 30 credits at NWC in order to earn a degree (B.A., B.S. or B.S.N.) from Northwestern.

We accept transfer credits through:

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Advanced Placement (AP) exams

If you want to receive college credit for your high-scoring Advanced Placement exams, you must submit your College Entrance Examination Board scores to Northwestern’s registrar’s office.

Here is a guide for transferring your AP credits to NWC:

AP exam	Score needed	NWC course	Credit granted
Art	4, 5	ART120AE	4
Biology	4, 5	BIO110SN	4
Calculus AB	4, 5	MAT112QR	4
Calculus BC	3	MAT112QR	4
Calculus BC	4, 5	MAT112QR & MAT211	8
Chemistry	4, 5	CHE111	4
Computer science A	4, 5	CSC171QR	4
Computer Science Principles	4, 5	Elective	4
Economics: macro	4, 5	ECO214	4
Economics: micro	4, 5	ECO213	4
Environmental science	4, 5	BIO101SN	4
European history	4, 5	HIS203HP or HIS204HP	4
French language	3, 4, 5	Elective	3
French literature	3, 4, 5	Elective	3
German language	3, 4, 5	Elective	3
Human geography	4, 5	PSC260CC	4
Language & composition	4, 5	Elective	4
Literature & composition	4, 5	ENG250LC	4
Music theory	4, 5	MUS101	2
Physics 1: Algebra-based	4, 5	PHY111SN	4
Physics C: mechanics	4, 5	PHY211	4
Psychology	4, 5	PSY100SS	4
Spanish language	3, 4, 5	SPA202	3
Spanish literature	3, 4, 5	SPA314	3
Statistics	4, 5	MAT116QR	3
U.S. history	4, 5	HIS201HP or HIS202HP	4
U.S. government & politics	4, 5	PSC101SS	4
World history	4, 5	HIS203HP or HIS204HP	4

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College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Northwestern College will grant credit for acceptable scores on subject CLEP exams if the college offers a comparable course. Acceptable scores are those that are the equivalent of a college grade of C or better, as determined by CEEB norms. Credit is not granted for the CLEP general exam. (Note: Though NWC grants equivalency credits, students intending to pursue graduate studies will likely find CLEP credits will not meet certain graduate school requirements. Please consult with the graduate school you're considering regarding CLEP credits).

Here is a guide for transferring your CLEP credits to Northwestern College:

CLEP exam	Score needed	NWC course	Credit granted
American government	50	PSC101SS	4
Analyze & interpret literature	50	ENG250LC	4
Calculus	50	MAT112QR	4
Chemistry	50	CHE111	4
College composition	50	ENG184	4
College mathematics	50	MAT150QR	3
Financial accounting	50	ACC215	4
German language level 1	50	GER101 & GER102	6
German language level 2	60	GER101, GER102, GER201LA & GER202	12
Human growth and development	50	PSY221SS	4
Introductory psychology	50	PSY100SS	4
Introductory sociology	50	SOC101SS	4
Precalculus	50	MAT109QR	3
Principles of macroeconomics	50	ECO214	4
Principles of management	50	BUS201	2
Principles of marketing	50	BUS200	2
Principles of microeconomics	50	ECO213	4
Spanish language level 1	50	SPA111 & SPA112LA	8
Spanish language level 2	50	SPA111, SPA112LA & SPA201	11
U.S. history I	50	HIS201HP	4
U.S. history II	50	HIS202HP	4
Western civilization I: Ancient near east to 1648	50	HIS203HP	4
Western civilization II: 1648 to the present	50	HIS204HP	4

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International Baccalaureate (IB) program

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Post-Secondary Education Option (PSEO)

Transfer credit equivalencies

Below is a guide for transferring credits to Northwestern College. Note that some courses meet both a major and NWCore (general education) requirement. Refer to the full academic catalog for more information.

Requirement	Equivalency	Level
Biblical studies	4-credit NWC course	100
Christian theology	4-credit NWC course	200
Cross-cultural engagement	3-4 credits (e.g., human geography, cultural anthropology, human relations, world religions, etc.)	100-300
Fine arts	3-4 credits of art, music or theatre appreciation	100-200
History	4 credits (must be writing intensive)	100-200
Kinesiology	2-3 credits of physical education/wellness	100-200
Language	0-8 credits of modern foreign language (e.g., Spanish, French, German, etc.) or 4-8 credits of ancient language (e.g., Hebrew, Greek, etc.) *varies based on the number of credits you took in high school	100-200
Literature	3-4 credits of literary studies (e.g., American writers, British writers, poetry, short stories, Shakespeare, etc.)	100-200
Mathematics	3-4 credits of mathematical science at or above college algebra (Students with math ACT of 19 or below may need to complete Math Lab as well.)	100-200
Natural science	3-4 credits of laboratory science (biology, chemistry or physics; must contain a lab component)	100-200
Philosophy	4 credits of philosophy (e.g., Introduction to Philosophy, History of Philosophy, Contemporary Moral Issues, etc.)	100-200
Social science	3-4 credits of psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology or political science	100-200

Below is a guide for transferring credits to Northwestern College. Note that some courses meet both a major and NWCore (general education) requirement. Refer to the full academic catalog for more information.

Requirement	Equivalency	Level
Biblical studies	4-credit NWC course	100
Christian theology	4-credit NWC course	200
Cross-cultural engagement	3-4 credits (e.g., human geography, cultural anthropology, human relations, world religions, etc.)	100-300
Fine arts	3-4 credits of art, music or theatre appreciation	100-200
History	4 credits (must be writing intensive)	100-200
Kinesiology	2-3 credits of physical education/wellness	100-200
Language	0-8 credits of modern foreign language (e.g., Spanish, French, German, etc.) or 4-8 credits of ancient language (e.g., Hebrew, Greek, etc.) *varies based on the number of credits you took in high school	100-200
Literature	3-4 credits of literary studies (e.g., American writers, British writers, poetry, short stories, Shakespeare, etc.)	100-200
Mathematics	3-4 credits of mathematical science at or above college algebra (Students with math ACT of 19 or below may need to complete Math Lab as well.)	100-200
Natural science	3-4 credits of laboratory science (biology, chemistry or physics; must contain a lab component)	100-200
Philosophy	4 credits of philosophy (e.g., Introduction to Philosophy, History of Philosophy, Contemporary Moral Issues, etc.)	100-200
Social science	3-4 credits of psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology or political science	100-200

Below is a guide for transferring credits to Northwestern College. Note that some courses meet both a major and NWCore (general education) requirement. Refer to the full academic catalog for more information.

Requirement	Equivalency	Level
Biblical studies	4-credit NWC course	100
Christian theology	4-credit NWC course	200
Cross-cultural engagement	3-4 credits (e.g., human geography, cultural anthropology, human relations, world religions, etc.)	100-300
Fine arts	3-4 credits of art, music or theatre appreciation	100-200
History	4 credits (must be writing intensive)	100-200
Kinesiology	2-3 credits of physical education/wellness	100-200
Language	0-8 credits of modern foreign language (e.g., Spanish, French, German, etc.) or 4-8 credits of ancient language (e.g., Hebrew, Greek, etc.) *varies based on the number of credits you took in high school	100-200
Literature	3-4 credits of literary studies (e.g., American writers, British writers, poetry, short stories, Shakespeare, etc.)	100-200
Mathematics	3-4 credits of mathematical science at or above college algebra (Students with math ACT of 19 or below may need to complete Math Lab as well.)	100-200
Natural science	3-4 credits of laboratory science (biology, chemistry or physics; must contain a lab component)	100-200
Philosophy	4 credits of philosophy (e.g., Introduction to Philosophy, History of Philosophy, Contemporary Moral Issues, etc.)	100-200
Social science	3-4 credits of psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology or political science	100-200

Questions? Contact the registrar’s office