The New School prefers the portfolio process for assessing prior learning because a portfolio can be developed on the basis of the student's personal experiences. We do, however, award credits through testing for knowledge of languages other than English. Students can receive up to 16 prior-learning credits per language and up to 30 credits total, the maximum number of credits that can be achieved through prior learning.
The New School uses testing offered online by Language Testing International (LTI), licensed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Languages assessed include Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Greek (modern), Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Pashto, Farsi, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian and European), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese. (Dari and Swahili may also be possible if testers are available.) Students can also use online tests offered by NYU that assess these additional languages: Bengali, Bulgarian, Gujarati, Indonesian, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yiddish, and Yoruba. Before taking a language test, you must obtain approval from the Prior Learning coordinator at The New School.
If you are currently enrolled in the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students, call 212.229.5119 for more information about earning credit through language testing. If you are a prospective student, speak to an admission counselor.
The Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students also accepts examinations offered by the College Board (CLEP). The exams must have been taken before you enroll at The New School and should be submitted along with your other transfer credit transcripts when you apply to The New School. For more information on CLEP, please contact the Admission office at [email protected].
If you'd like to find out more about earning credit for prior learning experience, you can receive help from an admission counselor. Contact [email protected] for more information.