This course is not affiliated with any educational institution and so does not bring with it any automatic transfer credit. Still, that does not at all mean that a student’s high school or college will not grant such credit. Each institution has different policies concerning transfer credits, but many should provide a certain amount for a person who has completed this course, assuming that the person is able to demonstrate sufficient facility in the language. There are two Latin Standardized tests available in the U.S. (The National Latin Exam and the SAT Latin Subject Test) that I provide for my students. Presentation of the student’s scores on these tests to the school should go far toward the granting of credit, or at least placement in the level of Latin study where the student belongs.

A college student or prospective college student in the U.S. can achieve placement in a higher level of Latin at the student’s institution based on SAT Latin Subject Test scores. Many colleges, universities, and high schools use their own placement exams. Frequently, after taking one of these tests, a student will be allowed to “place out” of a school’s foreign language requirement. Frequently, if the Latin course that the student has been placed in is taken by the student, the institution will grant to the student credit for the skipped lower-level classes.

The rules surrounding the transfer of credit are far from uniform, but an individual student with a little effort should have no trouble figuring out what to do to obtain it. Usually it is just a matter of finding out if the student’s school will cooperate. If the student is homeschooled or needs language credits for acceptance to college, it may be a bit more complicated although still feasible. 

An experienced Latin teacher whom I questioned on this subject had this to say:

"I've been teaching Latin in the homeschool world for 19 years. Whether credits can be "transferred" to a high school is entirely up to the jurisdiction of that high school. For example, in my county, the School Administration will give NO credit for any classes completed as a homeschooler -- period. (In other words, litigation would be necessary.) In many districts, "credit" is not given, but placement will be given to the next level of the subject, based on objective proof of completion. In some districts, credit will be given, usually as "credit by examination."

As far as getting "credit" for having learned the material, whether or not it is included on the student's high school transcript from his school, any person may add an extra page to a transcript listing the "extra-curricular" classes and activities which the student has done. If those activities are backed by objective standards (like the National Latin Exam or SAT), almost all colleges will consider that in their admissions decision.

On the college level, placement can be obtained based on scores on the Latin SAT Subject Test. Some colleges also have their own placement exams. Often, this will allow a student to "place out" of a foreign language requirement. Often, if another higher-level course is taken, then the student will receive college credit for the entire series as though the lower-level courses had been taken at the college level.

The patchwork of laws governing high school education is different in every state, and then again in each county. And each college can award credit as it sees fit.

I have always had all my students take the National Latin Exam as an objective measure of their capabilities in Latin….

Many colleges now require 2 or 3 SAT subject tests, if not for all applicants, then for homeschoolers. My son applied to the University of Notre Dame, and he did not have an SAT subject test in a foreign language. He had excellent test scores on the tests he had taken. In his personal interview, he showed them his "Summa cum Laude" from the National Latin Exam, Level III-IV Prose, and the assistant director of admission, who was doing the interview, was happy to waive the SAT subject test and accept the NLE scores as an acceptable substitute. Of course, this was a personal decision, not a policy decision."

- Marion Smedberg

The laws outlining standards in high school education vary from place to place, and every single college or university has its own individual policies concerning the awarding and transferring of credit. If you would like to earn credit for this course at a particular institution, please contact both me and the institution so that we can try to make that happen. I can’t promise that you will definitely be awarded credit for this course, but at the same time, I do promise to do everything that I can to help you obtain it.