Credit For Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
Please click
here for specific information on IB 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. Prior to coming to Orientation, let us know what AP credit you have received or have pending by submitting your Pre-Advisement form in your Pre-Orientation homework.
- 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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Units only.
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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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Biology
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4 semester units
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Typically BISC 120 with a score of 4 or 5.
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Economics (Micro)
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4 semester units
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Econ 203
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*students must earn a 4 or 5 on all AP exams taken spring 2009 or later to receive unit credit.
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
For information about receiving other AP credit, click
here.
Subject Credit vs. Unit Credit
An important distinction in understanding the credit received for the AP is the difference between subject credit and unit credit.
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Subject Credit: Exams that earn subject credit will count towards meeting one of the subjects (classes) you are required to take for your major. For example, Calculus I or Chemistry can be satisfied in this way
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Unit Credit: Some exams do not count towards a particular subject, but earn you additional units. Extra units serve as free electives and are applied towards your total unit count.
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