Credit For Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
The following is an overview of subject and unit credit granted by USC for AP examinations. Although the University will not grant specific course credit for AP exams, the Viterbi School will grant waivers and allow students to place into higher level classes. This information applies to engineering majors only. Departments may use results of AP exams for placement purposes and/or to waive degree requirements. Specific departments should be consulted when considering minors and other degree options.
- USC grants credit for General Education (GE) requirements for scores of 4 or 5 on selected AP exams. See the chart below for specific information
- The Degree Progress Department issues credit evaluations indicating GE credit for all admitted students.
- A maximum of 32 units will be granted for coursework completed before high school graduation, including AP exams, IB exams, and transfer credit from other colleges
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AP Exam
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Units Granted with Score of 3, 4, or 5
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Subject Credit Granted or Waived by Engineering
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Mathematics (AB)
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4 semester units
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Math 125 with a score of 4 or 5
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Mathematics (BC)
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Math 125 with a score of 4 or 5. Math 126 is waived on a case-by-case basis with a score of 5.
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Physics (B)
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No waivers are granted for Physics courses
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Physics (C-Mechanics)
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No waivers are granted for Physics courses
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Physics (C-Electricity and Magnetism)
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No waivers are granted for Physics courses
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Chemistry
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Chemistry 105a with a score of 4 or 5
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Computer Science (A)
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4 semester units with a score of 4 or 5
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Computer Science 101 with a score of 5
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Computer Science (AB)
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4 semester units with a score of 4 or 5
(only 4 semester units total will be granted for students with both Computer Science A and AB exams)
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Computer Science 101 with a score of 4 or 5.
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Biology
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4 semester units
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See the Biology Department with a score of 4 or 5
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Economics (Micro)
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4 semester units
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ISE majors have Econ 203 credit with a score of 4 or 5.
Business minors have a BUAD 200x credit with a 4 or 5.
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Economics (Macro)
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4 semester units
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ISE majors have Econ 205 (tech elective) credit with a score of 4 or 5. Business minors have BUAD 200x credit with a 4 or 5.
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General Education Requirements
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AP Exam
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General Education (GE) Credit Granted with Score of 4 or 5
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Art (History)
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Cultures & Civilizations I (Category I)
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History (European)
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Cultures & Civilizations I (Category I)
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History (United States)
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Investigations in Science and Technology (Category IV) *Engineering majors only. Excludes double majors and students who change majors out of Engineering.
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Other AP Credit
Credit for other AP exams may possibly be applied toward minors or double majors. Four (4) semester units are granted for each of the following exams with a score of 3, 4, or 5:
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Art (Studio-Drawing)
Art (Studio-General)
English (Language & Composition)
English Literature
Environmental Science
French (Language)
French (Literature)
German (Language)
Government & Politics (US)
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Government and Politics (Comparative)
Latin Literature
Latin (Virgil)
Music (Theory)
Psychology
Spanish (Language)
Spanish (Literature)
Statistics
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