Illinois Tech students who are proficient in a language other than English can receive up to twelve (12) hours of credit by taking a General Proficiency ACTFL Exam. Exams are accredited by the American Council on Education and are offered online through the Language Testing Institute (LTI):
Students must select the OPI, OPIc, or the WPT exam to receive transfer credit. Credit will not be awarded for any other exam format.
If you score at the Novice High or above level on the OPI, OPIc or the WPT exam, you will receive three (3) hours of lower-level HUM credit. The lower-level hours can apply towards your Additional Humanities or Social Science Elective requirement or as Free Electives. Credit will not be awarded for the HUM 200-Level requirement or the upper-level HUM requirement. Any additional credit can apply as a Free Elective. You must receive approval from UGAA prior to registering for the exam. Send an email to ugaa@iit.edu with your name, ID number, the exam you plan to take, and when you plan to take it. You must have your official results sent from LTI directly to UGAA to receive transfer credit. Below is a list of the credits that can be awarded based on the rating you receive:
| ACTFL RATING | OPI/OPIc | WPT |
|---|---|---|
| Novice High/Intermediate Low | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities |
| Intermediate Mid | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 3 hours of Free Elective | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 3 hour of Free Elective |
| Intermediate High/Advanced Low | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 6 hours of Free Elective | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 3 hours of Free Elective |
| Advanced Mid | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 6 hours of Free Elective | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 6 hours of Free Elective |
| Advanced High/Superior | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 9 hours of Free Elective | 3 hours of lower-level Humanities 9 hours of Free Elective |
Illinois Seal of Biliteracy & Commendation toward Biliteracy
Based on the ACTFL guidelines, students who earn an Illinois Seal of Biliteracy in a language other than English on their official high school transcript will receive transfer credit for 3 hours of a lower-level Humanities Elective (applicable towards the Additional Humanities or Social Science Elective requirement), and 9 hours of Free Elective credit.
Students who earn an Illinois Commendation towards Biliteracy in a language other than English on their official high school transcript will receive transfer credit for 3 hours of a lower-level Humanities Elective (applicable towards the Additional Humanities or Social Science Elective requirement), and 3 hours of Free Elective credit.
Please contact UGAA for more information.
Note: Credit awarded from ACTFL cannot be applied towards a foreign language minor.
Updated June 2024