Credit and Exemption for High School Work

Depending on exam scores, past coursework, and educational experiences, you may be able to receive college credit or placement in higher-level KU courses. Below are approved methods of receiving credit and exemptions, along with tables that show potential outcomes based on performance.

Info on Credit and Exemption for High School Work

This table outlines credit or placement based on AP test scores per subject. KU will assign only credit, not a grade. If you have not taken the AP course in a specific subject, you may still take its exam. For more information, contact College Board.

For more information on the KU Core visit kucore.ku.edu

SubjectAP ScoreCredit or higher placementKU Core
Art and Design: 2-D Design3+3 hours, ART HTGE 3H
Art and Design: 3-D Design3+3 hours, ART U 
Art and Design: Drawing3+3 hours, ART U 
Art History4+3 hours, HA 100GE 3H or AE 4.2
African American Studies3+3 hours, AAAS 104AE 4.1
Biology3-43 hours, BIOL 100GE 3N
Biology55 hours, BIOL 150 & 154GE 3N
Calculus AB3+4 hours, MATH 125GE 1.2
Calculus AB subscore on BC exam3+4 hours, MATH 125GE 1.2
Calculus BC3+4 hours, MATH 126 
Chemistry35 hours, CHEM 130GE 1.2 or GE 3N
Chemistry4+10 hours, CHEM 130 & 135GE 1.2 or GE 3N
Chinese Language and Culture32 hours, CHIN U (individual evaluation) 
Chinese Language and Culture4+5 hours, CHIN U (individual evaluation) 
Computer Science A3+3 hours, EECS 138 
Computer Science Principles3+3 hours, EECS U 
English Literature and Composition33 hours, ENGL 101GE 2.1
English Literature and Composition4+6 hours, ENGL 101 & 102GE 2.1
English Language and Composition33 hours, ENGL 101GE 2.1
English Language and Composition4+6 hours, ENGL 101 & 102GE 2.1
Environmental Science3+4 hours, EVRN 140 & 160GE 3N
European History33 hours, HIST 114GE 1.1
European History4+6 hours, HIST 114 & 115GE 1.1 and GE 3H
French Language and Culture38 hours, FREN 120 & 230, placed in FREN 240AE 4.2
French Language and Culture411 hours, FREN 120, 230, & 240, placed in FREN 301AE 4.2
French Language and Culture514 hours, FREN 120, 230, 240 & 301, placed in FREN 302 and/or 326AE 4.2
Germanic Language and Culture38 hours, GERM 108 & 201, placed in GERM 202AE 4.2
Germanic Language and Culture411 hours, GERM 108, 201, & 202, placed in GERM 301AE 4.2
Germanic Language and Culture514 hours, GERM 108, 201, 301, & 302, placed in GERM 401AE 4.2
Government & Politics (Comparative)3+3 hours, POLS 150GE 3S or AE 4.2
Government & Politics
(U.S.)
3+3 hours, POLS 110GE 3S
Human Geography3+3 hours, GEOG 102GE 3S or AE 4.2
Italian Language and Culture35 hours, ITAL 110 
Italian Language and Culture4+5 hours, ITAL 120 
Japanese Language and Culture32 hours, JPN 104 
Japanese Language and Culture4+5 hours, JPN 108 
Latin3+6 hours, Language requirement satisfied 
Macroeconomics3+3 hours, ECON 144GE 3S
Microeconomics3+3 hours, ECON 142GE 3S
Music: Listening & Lit3+3 hours, MUSC 136GE 3H
Music Theory3+3 hours, MTHC 105 
Physics 14+ 4 hours, PHSX 114GE 1.1 or GE 1.2 or GE 3N
Physics 24+ 4 hours, PHSX 115 
Physics B4+8 hours, PHSX 114 & 115GE 1.1  or GE 1.2 or GE 3N
Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism)4+4 hours, PHSX 212 & 236GE 3N
Physics C (Mechanics)4+4 hours, PHSX 211 & 216GE 1.1 or GE 1.2 or GE 3N
Precalculus3+5 hours, MATH 104GE 1.2
Psychology3+3 hours, PSYC 104GE 3S
Research3+3 hours, elective 
Seminar3+3 hours, elective 
Spanish Language and Culture & Spanish Literature and Culture38 hours, SPAN 108 & 212, Placed in 216AE 4.2
Spanish Language and Culture & Spanish Literature and Culture4+11 hours, SPAN 108, 212, & 216, Placed in Spanish 324 & 328AE 4.2
Statistics3+3 hours, MATH 365GE 1.2
United States History33 hours, HIST 128GE 3H
United States History4+6 hours, HIST 128 & 129GE 3H
World History3+3 hours, HIST 101GE 1.1

This table outlines the scores needed per subject based on the level of IB exam taken: higher level (HL) or standard level (SL).

For more information on the KU Core visit kucore.ku.edu

SubjectScoreLevelCredit or higher placementKU Core
Arabic A4-7HL, SL3 hours, ARAB 320 
Arabic B4-5HL6 hours, ARAB 210 & 220 
Arabic B6-7HL9 hours, ARAB 210, 220 & 310 
Arabic B4-5SL5 hours, ARAB 120, placed in ARAB 210 
Arabic B6-7SL8 hours, ARAB 120 & 210, placed in ARAB 220 
Arabic ab initio4-5SL5 hours, ARAB 110 
Arabic ab initio6-7SL5 hours, ARAB 120 
Astronomy4+HL, SL3 hours, ASTR 191GE 3N
Biology4-6HL5 hours, BIOL 150 & 154GE 3N
Biology7HL8 hours, BIOL 150, 152, & 154GE 3N
Biology4-6SL4 hours, BIOL 100 & 102GE 3N
Biology7SL5 hours, BIOL 150 & 154GE 3N
Business Management4+SL, HL3 hours, MGMT 310 
Chemistry4+HL10 hours, CHEM 130 & 135GE 3N and GE 1.2
Chemistry4+SL5 hours, CHEM 110GE 3N
Classical Greek4+HL3 hours, GRK 375, Language Satisfied 
Classical Greek4+SL3 hours, GRK 301 
Computer Science4+HL, SL3 hours, EECS 138 
Dance4+HL, SL3 hours, DANC U 
Design Technology4+HL, SL3 hours, SCM U 
Economics4+HL6 hours, ECON 142 & 144GE 3S
Economics4+SL4 hours, ECON 104GE 3S
English A4-5HL (Lang + Lit) and (Lit)3 hours, ENGL 101GE 2.1
English A6-7HL (Lang + Lit) and (Lit)6 hours, ENGL 101 & 102GE 2.1
English A4+SL (Lang + Lit) and (Lit)3 hours, ENGL 101GE 2.1
Environmental Systems and Societies4+SL3 hours, EVRN 148GE 3N
Film4+HL. SL3 hours, FMS 100GE 1.1
French A4+HL, SL (Lang + Lit)3 hours, FREN 302, placed in FREN 326 
French A4+HL, SL (Lit)3 hours, FREN 326AE 4.2
French B4-5HL6 hours, FREN 230 & 240, placed in FREN 301AE 4.2
French B6-7HL9 hours, FREN 230, 240 & 301, placed in FREN 302/326AE 4.2
French B4-5SL5 hours, FREN 120, placed in FREN 230/234AE 4.2
French B6-7SL8 hours, FREN 120 & 230, placed in FREN 240AE 4.2
French Language ab Initio4-5SL5 hours, FREN 110, placed in FREN 120 
French Language ab Initio6-7SL5 hours, FREN 120, placed in FREN 230 
Geography4+HL, SL5 hours, GEOG 104 & 105GE 3N
German A4-5HL, SL (Lang + Lit)3 hours, GERM 302, placed in GERM 401AE 4.2
German A6-7HL, SL (Lang + Lit)3 hours, GERM 401, placed in GERM 402 or higher 
German B4-5HL6 hours, GERM 201 & 202, placed in GERM 301AE 4.2
German B6-7 HL9 hours, GERM 201, 202 & 301, placed in GERM 302AE 4.2
German B4-5SL5 hours, GERM 108, placed in GERM 201AE 4.2
German B6-7SL8 hours, GERM 108 & 201, placed in GERM 202AE 4.2
German Language B Initio4-5SL5 hours, GERM 104, placed in GERM 108AE 4.2
German Language B Initio6-7SL5 hours, GERM 108, placed in GERM 201AE 4.2
Global Politics4+HL, SL3 hours, POLS 170GE 3S or AE 4.2
Hebrew B4-5HL8 hours, HEBR 110 & 210 
Hebrew B6-7HL13 hours, HEBR 110, 120 & 210 
Hebrew B4+SL5 hours, HEBR 110 
Hindi B4-5SL5 hours, HNDI 120, placed in HNDI 210 
Hindi B 6-7SL8 hours, HNDI 120 & 210, placed in HNDI 220 
History: U.S. History4-5HL3 hours, HIST 128GE 3H
History: U.S. History6-7HL6 hours, HIST 128 & 129GE 3H
History: U.S. History4+SL3 hours, HIST 128GE 3H
History: Non-U.S. History4+HL3 hours, HIST HTGE 3H
History: Non-U.S. History4+SL3 hours, HIST H 
Information Technology in a Global Society4+HL, SL3 hours, GIST S 
Latin4+HL3 hours, LAT 375, Language Satisfied 
Latin4+SL3 hours, LAT 112 
Literature and Performance4+SL (English Only)3 hours, ENGL HE 
Math Further
(discontinued after 2020)
4+HL4 hours, MATH 125GE 1.2
Math Studies
(discontinued after 2020)
4+HL, SL3 hours, MATH U 
Mathematics
(discontinued after 2020)
4+HL4 hours, MATH 125GE 1.2

Mathematics
(discontinued after 2020)

4+SL3 hours, MATH 101GE 1.2
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches4+HL4 hours, MATH 125GE 1.2
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches4+SL3 hours, MATH 115GE 1.2
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations4+HL3 hours, MATH 115GE 1.2
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations4+SL5 hours, MATH 104GE 1.2
Music4+HL, SL3 hours, MUSC 136GE 3H
Philosophy4+HL, SL3 hours, PHIL 140GE 1.1 or GE 3H
Physics4+HL8 hours, PHSX 114 & 115GE 1.1 or GE 1.2 or GE 3N
Physics4+SL4 hours, PHSX 111 & 116GE 1.1 or GE 3N
Psychology4+HL, SL3 hours, PSYC 104GE 3S
Social and Cultural Anthropology4+HL, SL3 hours, ANTH 108GE 3S or AE 4.2
Spanish A4+ (Lang), (Lit) and (Lang + Lit)HL, SL9 hours, SPAN 212, 216 & 322AE 4.2
Spanish B4-5HL6 hours, SPAN 212 & 216AE 4.2
Spanish B6-7HL9 hours, SPAN 212, 216 & 322AE 4.2
Spanish B4-5SL5 hours, SPAN 111AE 4.1
Spanish B6-7SL8 hours, SPAN 111 & 212AE 4.1 & AE 4.2
Spanish Language B Initio4+SL5 hours, SPAN 104 
Sports, Exercise, and Health Science4+HL, SL3 hours, HSES 269 
Theatre Arts4+HL, SL3 hours, THR 100GE 3H
Visual Arts4+HL, SL3 hours, ART U 
World Religions4+SL3 hours, REL 104GE 1.1 or GE 3H

If you've already learned the material you think would be taught in a KU course, you may take that subject’s CLEP exam. Each KU school and department has different curriculum requirements and may use scores in different ways.

For more information on the KU Core visit kucore.ku.edu

SubjectScoreCredit or higher placementKU Core
American Government50+3 hours, POLS 110GE 3S
American Literature50+3 hours, ENGL H 
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature50+3 hours, ENGL H 
Biology, general50+3 hours, BIOL 100GE 3N
Calculus50+4 hours, MATH 125GE 1.2
Chemistry, general50+5 hours, CHEM 130GE 1.2 or GE 3N
College Algebra50+3 hours, MATH 101GE 1.2
College Composition50+3 hours, ENGL 101GE 2.1
College Composition ModularNANo equivalent course 
College Mathematics50+3 hours, MATH U 
English Literature50+3 hours, ENGL H 
Financial Accounting50+3 hours, ACCT U 
French Language, Level 1 & 241-493 hours, FREN 110 
French Language, Level 1 & 250+6 hours, language satisfied 
German Language, Level 1 & 241-493 hours, GERM 108AE 4.2
German Language, Level 1 & 250+6 hours, language satisfied 
History of the United States 150+3 hours, HIST 128GE 3H
History of the United States 250+3 hours, HIST 129GE 3H
Human Growth and Development50+3 hours, ABSC SI 
Information Systems50+3 hours, IST U 
Introduction to Educational Psychology50+3 hours, EPSY U 
Introduction to Psychology50+3 hours, PSYC 104GE 3S
Introduction to Sociology50+3 hours, SOC U 
Introductory Business Law50+3 hours, BLAW U 
Natural Science50+3 hours, PHSX NP 
Precalculus50+5 hours, MATH 104GE 1.2
Principles of Macroeconomics50+3 hours, ECON 144GE 3S
Principles of Management50+3 hours, MGMT 310 
Principles of Marketing50+3 hours, MKTG 310 
Principles of Microeconomics50+3 hours, ECON 142GE 3S
Social Sciences & History50+3 hours, Social Science Elective 
Spanish Language, Level 1 & 241-49Placement in SPAN 212  
Spanish Language, Level 1 & 250+5 hours, SPAN 108 
Spanish with Writing, Level 1 & 250+5 hours SPAN 108. Placement in SPAN 212 
Spanish with Writing, Level 1 & 260+11 hours SPAN 108, SPAN 212, & SPAN 216. Placement in SPAN 322AE 4.2
Western Civilization 150+3 hours, HUM HT 
Western Civilization 250+3 hours, HUM HT 

If you have experience in a foreign language but no prior college or university course credits, you may be eligible for retroactive credits for completing a course at KU with a grade of C- or better. After successful completion of that course, you will receive additional credit hours as reflected in the table below. (Retroactive credits are not automatically posted on your KU transcript. You must apply for them through the department offering the language.)

To begin the process, take a placement exam to determine proper course placement. Initial placement is based on actual ability in the language rather than years of high school study. You can currently earn credits in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. For other languages, contact the individual department.

KU Course CompletedCredit
3rd Semester Course3 hours
4th Semester Course6 hours
5th Semester Course9 hours

The University of Kansas has six educational goals for all students, called the KU Core, meant to help develop a broad background of knowledge. Each goal has at least one "learning outcome," which can be met by a variety of KU courses, educational experiences, or the exemptions listed below.

The University of Kansas has six educational goals for all students, called the KU Core, meant to help develop a broad background of knowledge. Each goal has at least one "learning outcome," which can be met by a variety of KU courses, educational experiences, or the exemptions listed below.

Quantitative Literacy

KU Core Goal 1, Learning Outcome 2

ExemptionScoreCompletion Status
ACT Mathematics Score26+Complete
SAT Mathematics Score610+Complete
International Baccalaureate6+Complete

For students who do not have prior college credit in mathematics courses, initial placement is determined by Math ACT or SAT score. If you believe you should start in a more advanced math course, you can take the ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKSPPL) Math assessment. It is recommended to take the exam at least two days prior to your Orientation date.

Written Communication

KU Core Goal 2, Learning Outcome 1

ExemptionScoreCompletion Status
ACT English27 +1 of 2 Complete
SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing630+1 of 2 Complete
Advanced Placement Language and Composition Exam31 of 2 Complete
Advanced Placement Language and Composition Exam4+Complete
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam31 of 2 Complete
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam4+Complete
International Baccalaureate51 of 2 Complete
International Baccalaureate6+Complete

Oral Communication

KU Core Goal 2, Learning Outcome 2

ExemptionScoreCompletion Status
Two semesters of high school speechGrade of B or higherComplete

Students who believe they qualify for this exemption must complete the form at this link to petition the exemption: Goal 2.2 Exemption Petition

Please note: debate and forensics courses will not be considered for students entering in Fall 2020 or after.

Culture and Diversity

KU Core Goal 4, Learning Outcome 2

International students who have

  • begun their studies at KU with a nonimmigrant visa (visa categories A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, NATO, O, P, Q, R, or TN)
  • met the KU English Proficiency Requirement, and
  • completed one semester of full-time study in a degree program at KU