Special Opportunities for Students

The Foreign Language Incentive Program (FLIP)
The Foreign Language Incentive Program (FLIP) was initiated in 1990 to motivate students to continue the study of foreign languages offered by The University of Iowa. The Program allows degree-seeking undergraduate students who have already completed the General Education Foreign Language requirement to earn up to eight additional semester hours of college credit while studying a foreign language or languages.

While enrolled in a FLIP course, students should request evaluation for FLIP credit by submitting the electronic form. At the close of the semester, the student's grade in the course is reviewed by CLAS and if the grade is a B- or higher, the FLIP credit will appear on the student's record. The form should be submitted by November 12 for evaluation of a fall course and by April 16 for the evaluation of a spring course. A paper form, for those who would rather use it, is available in 120 Schaeffer Hall. Questions about the Program may be addressed to CLAS Academic Programs & Services.

Overview
Two FLIP options are offered, referred to as FLIP 1 and FLIP 2. Students may also combine the options. No more than 8 s.h. of FLIP credit is ever awarded.

FLIP 1 is designed for students who have completed the General Education Foreign Language requirement in high school or by some other acceptable means and who would like to continue the study of a foreign language at an advanced level (the fifth-semester level or higher).

FLIP 2 is designed for students who have completed the General Education Foreign Language requirement while at UI or by some other acceptable means and who would like to study another foreign language at the introductory level.

While enrolled in a FLIP course, students should request FLIP credit by submitting the electronic FLIP form. (A paper form, for those who would rather use it, is available in 120 Schaeffer Hall. At the close of the semester, the student's grade in the course is reviewed by CLAS and if the grade is a B- or higher, the FLIP credit will appear on the student's record.

The policies and procedures concerning FLIP options are below. Certain rules apply; please read them carefully. Questions about the Foreign Language Incentive Program should be directed to CLAS-Academic Programs and Services, clasps@uiowa.edu.

FLIP 1
A student may earn four semester hours of additional credit for a fifth-semester level (or higher) foreign language course completed with a grade of B- or better.

Four additional semester hours of FLIP 1 credit are awarded for a second fifth-semester level course (or higher) with a grade of B- or better. A student has the potential of earning eight semester hours of extra credit by participating in FLIP 1.

Who is eligible for FLIP 1?

• Students who have completed the Foreign Language component of The University of Iowa General Education Program in high school or by some other acceptable means.
• Students who have taken the foreign language placement test in the language in which FLIP credit will be earned. The test must be taken prior to enrollment in the course.
• Students who have not yet studied the foreign language in which FLIP 1 credit will be earned at a university or a college

How is FLIP 1 credit earned?

• All of the above eligibility requirements must be met before beginning the FLIP 1 course.
• The course taken must be at the fifth-semester level (or higher) to be considered a FLIP 1 course. Please talk with an advisor to be sure the chosen course is a fifth-semester level course.
• The FLIP 1 course must be completed with a B- or better.
• After successfully completing a FLIP 1 course, students should submit the electronic form requesting FLIP credit.

How many credits may be earned through FLIP 1?

• 4 semester hours of extra credit are awarded for one FLIP 1 course completed with a B- or better. Students may choose to complete a second FLIP 1 course for an additional 4 s.h.
• No more than 8 s.h. of FLIP credit may be earned through any FLIP option.

How many languages may be studied in FLIP 1?

• Most students choose to concentrate on one language. However, one or two languages may be studied at the fifth-semester level (or higher) the earn the maximum of 8 s.h. of extra credit within the FLIP 1 option.

When may a FLIP 1 course be taken?

• Most students, however, take a FLIP 1 course in their first or second semester of study at The University of Iowa in order to maintain the more advanced language skills they have gained through previous study. However, a FLIP 1 course may be taken any time prior to graduation.

How does FLIP 1 credit appear on the student transcript?

• FLIP credit appears on the transcript as Foreign Language Incentive Program credit and is considered Credit by Examination. The University allows students to earn up to 30 hours of Credit by Examination which includes APP, CLEP, IB, and FLIP credit. After successfully completing a FLIP 1 course, students should submit the electronic form requesting FLIP credit.

FLIP 2

Two semester hours of extra credit will be awarded for each FLIP 2 course completed with a B- or better in the first four courses of a foreign language sequence (other than what was studied to completed the GE Foreign Language requirement) for a maximum of 8 semester hours.

Who is eligible for FLIP 2?

• Students who have completed the Foreign Language component of The University of Iowa General Education Program by any acceptable means, such as through high school courses or through university or college courses (including work at The University of Iowa).

How is FLIP 2 credit earned?

• The above eligibility requirement must be met before beginning the FLIP 2 course.
• The student generally takes the first course in a introductory language sequence to receive 2 s.h of extra credit.
• The student must complete the FLIP 2 course with a B- or better.
• To earn the maximum of 8 s.h. of FLIP 2 credit, students generally continue with the second, third and fourth course in the language sequence for FLIP 2 credit.
• After successfully completing a FLIP 2 course, students must submit the FLIP form.

How much credit may be earned through FLIP 2?

• Students earn an extra 2 s.h. for each successfully completed FLIP 2 course.
• No more than 8 s.h. of FLIP credit may be earned through any FLIP option.

How many languages may be studied in FLIP 2?

• One or two different languages may be studied in the FLIP 2 option for a maximum of 8 s.h. of additional credit. Most students, however, choose to study one language.

When may a FLIP 2 course be taken?

• Any time prior to graduation.

How does FLIP 2 credit appear on the student transcript?

• FLIP credit appears on the transcript as Foreign Language Incentive Program credit and is considered Credit by Examination. The University allows students to earn up to 30 hours of Credit by Examination which includes APP, CLEP, IB, and FLIP credit.

Other Important Information Concerning FLIP 1 and 2

• Students may earn credit through several combinations of FLIP 1 and/or FLIP 2; however, no more than maximum of 8 s.h. of FLIP credit is ever awarded.
• Credit hours awarded through FLIP are ungraded and are not included in GPA calculations, but the semester hours count toward graduation.
• FLIP credit will be awarded only for foreign language courses taken at the UI.
• Credit hours awarded through FLIP are counted as UI and CLAS residence credit.
• Students who were previously enrolled in a FLIP course and failed to earned a B- are not awarded FLIP credit.
• Students who enrolled in but dropped a FLIP-eligible course after the second week of the semester cannot earn FLIP credit in that foreign language in a subsequent semester.
• Students with AP, CLEP, or IB credit in foreign language must avoid duplication and regression when registering for FLIP-eligible courses. Students should consult with an advisor and the appropriate language department for help in choosing FLIP courses.

Questions about the Foreign Language Incentive Program should be directed to CLAS-Academic Programs and Services, clasps@uiowa.edu.