Hi, I am looking for an accredited four year (must be four year) university that offers as many graded (must be graded) credits in Spanish as possible via some form of independent study, preferably where course completion and the grade is based on taking tests and less on completing assignments. I am thinking about studying Spanish in Mexico for 3 or 4 months this fall, and I want to get college credits for it, but the schools in the city I want to study are only set up to offer 6 credits, and I plan to study for much longer then it will take to earn 6 credits. I really need graded credits from a 4 year university right now, since I am still considering completing my degree from a local traditional university program. My idea is that I can register for the independent study courses, do my intensive study program at the school in Mexico, and take the tests for the independent study courses as I master each equivalent level of material, thereby earning the credits and grades I need. Then if I do complete by degree through the local traditional university program, I can transfer those credits in. Thanks in advance for your help! Jacqueline
Why would they need to have a letter grade assigned? I don't think I've encountered a university that will only accept transfer courses taken for a letter grade. Is it because you are pursuing a Spanish major and they limit the number of Spanish courses without a letter grade that can be applied toward the major requirements?
I need letter grades because I need to raise my GPA. I didn't understand the concepts of GPA management early in my college career, so there were a lot of classes that I should have dropped or switched to pass/fail that I got F's, D's, and C's on, and now my GPA really sucks (2.61). Jacqueline
Good Morning, I am not sure where you are registered but the F grades will generally not be included in your GPA and the D's could be taken over or forgiven. My husband has just completed his GPA repair quest and took over Eng 101 by testing and had that grade expunged. I'd look for some courses that are easier for you to factor into your GPA. Last month there were four PE classes that could be taken dl discussed on the forum. This is the way I would go. Have a good day. Hille
Several universities offer Spanish through independent study. Try a search at http://distancelearn.excelsior.edu For example, Louisiana State University, which has very reasonable tuition, offers Elementary Spanish (4) Elementary Spanish (4) Intermediate Spanish (3) Intermediate Spanish (3) Spanish Textual Commentary (3) You can find links to LSU's descriptions for these courses at http://www.is.lsu.edu/college/courses/course_list.asp?cat=Spanish I'd be a little concerned about the "local traditional university program" from which you may complete your degree. Schools can be very persnickety about accepting transfer credit; I'd want to check with an educational adviser to make sure they'll accept LSU courses (or courses from any other school you might consider).
Why didn't.... Why doesn't somebody mention Ohio University's Independent Study Department? They offer testing out (Course Credit by Examination, or CCE) in "Foreign Languages." For those not regularly offered, they are supposed to help students who seek distance credit for courses in the OU catoalog but not regularly offered; I don't know how easy or har the latter is. I do know the CCE is easy and available if one has the skills! Good luck. --Orson
If you are going to study in Mexico, I would recommend you to study at ITESM, they are accredited by the SACS (RA Accreditation) in the US so you would be able to transfer your credits to any RA institution in the US. I feel that could be the best choice instead of trying to get credit in the US by examinations. They also have an online master program in spanish literature in case you are interested. www.sistema.itesm.mx
