Credit and Exemption for High School Work
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.
| Subject | AP Score | Credit or higher placement | KU Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art History | 4+ | 3 hours, HA 100 | GE 3H or AE 4.2 |
| Biology | 3-4 | 3 hours, BIOL 100 | GE 3N |
| Biology | 5 | 5 hours, BIOL 150 & 154 | GE 3N |
| Calculus AB | 3+ | 4 hours, MATH 125 | GE 1.2 |
| Calculus AB subscore on BC exam | 3+ | 4 hours, MATH 125 | GE 1.2 |
| Calculus BC | 3+ | 4 hours, MATH 126 | |
| Chemistry | 3 | 5 hours, CHEM 130 | GE 1.2 or GE 3N |
| Chemistry | 4+ | 10 hours, CHEM 130 & 135 | GE 1.2 or GE 3N |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 2 hours, CHIN U (individual evaluation) | |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4+ | 5 hours, CHIN U (individual evaluation) | |
| Computer Science A | 3+ | 3 hours, EECS 138 | |
| Computer Science Principles | 3+ | 3 hours, EECS U | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 hours, ENGL 101 | GE 2.1 |
| English Literature and Composition | 4+ | 6 hours, ENGL 101 & 102 | GE 2.1 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 hours, ENGL 101 | GE 2.1 |
| English Language and Composition | 4+ | 6 hours, ENGL 101 & 102 | GE 2.1 |
| Environmental Science | 3+ | 5 hours, EVRN 140 | GE 3N |
| European History | 3 | 3 hours, HIST 114 | GE 1.1 |
| European History | 4+ | 6 hours, HIST 114 & 115 | GE 1.1 and GE 3H |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 8 hours, FREN 120 & 230, placed in FREN 240 | AE 4.2 |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 11 hours, FREN 120, 230, & 240, placed in FREN 301 | AE 4.2 |
| French Language and Culture | 5 | 14 hours, FREN 120, 230, 240 & 301, placed in FREN 302 and/or 326 | AE 4.2 |
| Germanic Language and Culture | 3 | 8 hours, GERM 108 & 201, placed in GERM 202 | AE 4.2 |
| Germanic Language and Culture | 4 | 11 hours, GERM 108, 201, & 202, placed in GERM 301 | AE 4.2 |
| Germanic Language and Culture | 5 | 14 hours, GERM 108, 201, 301, & 302, placed in GERM 401 | AE 4.2 |
| Government & Politics (Comparative) | 3+ | 3 hours, POLS 150 | GE 3S or AE 4.2 |
| Government & Politics (U.S.) | 3+ | 3 hours, POLS 110 | GE 3S |
| Human Geography | 3+ | 3 hours, GEOG 102 | GE 3S or AE 4.2 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 5 hours, ITAL 110 | |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4+ | 5 hours, ITAL 120 | |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 2 hours, JPN 104 | |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4+ | 5 hours, JPN 108 | |
| Latin | 3+ | 6 hours, Language requirement satisfied | |
| Macroeconomics | 3+ | 3 hours, ECON 144 | GE 3S |
| Microeconomics | 3+ | 3 hours, ECON 142 | GE 3S |
| Music: Listening & Lit | 3+ | 3 hours, MUSC 136 | GE 3H |
| Music Theory | 3+ | 3 hours, MTHC 105 | |
| Physics 1 | 4+ | 4 hours, PHSX 114 | GE 1.1 or GE 1.2 or GE 3N |
| Physics 2 | 4+ | 4 hours, PHSX 115 | |
| Physics B | 4+ | 8 hours, PHSX 114 & 115 | GE 1.1 or GE 1.2 or GE 3N |
| Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism) | 4+ | 4 hours, PHSX 212 & 236 | GE 3N |
| Physics C (Mechanics) | 4+ | 4 hours, PHSX 211 & 216 | GE 1.1 or GE 1.2 or GE 3N |
| Psychology | 3+ | 3 hours, PSYC 104 | GE 3S |
| Research | 3+ | 3 hours, elective (if also received a 3+ score on the Seminar test, 3 hours will be waived toward the Research Experience Program certificate) | |
| Seminar | 3+ | 3 hours, elective (if also received a 3+ score on the Research test, 3 hours will be waived toward the Research Experience Program certificate) | |
| Spanish Language and Culture & Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 8 hours, SPAN 108 & 212, Placed in 216 | AE 4.2 |
| Spanish Language and Culture & Spanish Literature and Culture | 4+ | 11 hours, SPAN 108, 212, & 216, Placed in Spanish 324 & 328 | AE 4.2 |
| Statistics | 3+ | 3 hours, MATH 365 | GE 1.2 |
| Studio Art: 2-D Design | 3+ | 3 hours, ART HT | |
| Studio Art: 3-D Design | 3+ | 3 hours, ART U | |
| Studio Art: Drawing | 3+ | 3 hours, ART U | |
| United States History | 3 | 3 hours, HIST 128 | GE 3H |
| United States History | 4+ | 6 hours, HIST 128 & 129 | GE 3H |
| World History | 3+ | 3 hours, HIST 101 | GE 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.
| Subject | Score | Level | Credit or higher placement | KU Core |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic A | 4-7 | HL, SL | 3 hours, ARAB 320 | |
| Arabic B | 4-5 | HL | 6 hours, ARAB 210 & 220 | |
| Arabic B | 6-7 | HL | 9 hours, ARAB 210, 220 & 310 | |
| Arabic B | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, ARAB 120, placed in ARAB 210 | |
| Arabic B | 6-7 | SL | 8 hours, ARAB 120 & 210, placed in ARAB 220 | |
| Arabic ab initio | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, ARAB 110 | |
| Arabic ab initio | 6-7 | SL | 5 hours, ARAB 120 | |
| Astronomy | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, ASTR 191 | GE 3N |
| Biology | 4-6 | HL | 5 hours, BIOL 150 & 154 | GE 3N |
| Biology | 7 | HL | 8 hours, BIOL 150, 152, & 154 | GE 3N |
| Biology | 4-6 | SL | 4 hours, BIOL 100 & 102 | GE 3N |
| Biology | 7 | SL | 5 hours, BIOL 150 & 154 | GE 3N |
| Business Management | 4+ | SL, HL | 3 hours, MGMT 310 | |
| Chemistry | 4+ | HL | 10 hours, CHEM 130 & 135 | GE 3N and GE 1.2 |
| Chemistry | 4+ | SL | 5 hours, CHEM 110 | GE 3N |
| Classical Greek | 4+ | HL | 3 hours, GRK 375, Language Satisfied | |
| Classical Greek | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, GRK 301 | |
| Computer Science | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, EECS 138 | |
| Dance | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, DANC U | |
| Design Technology | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, SCM U | |
| Economics | 4+ | HL | 6 hours, ECON 142 & 144 | GE 3S |
| Economics | 4+ | SL | 4 hours, ECON 104 | GE 3S |
| English A | 4-5 | HL (Lang + Lit) and (Lit) | 3 hours, ENGL 101 | GE 2.1 |
| English A | 6-7 | HL (Lang + Lit) and (Lit) | 6 hours, ENGL 101 & 102 | GE 2.1 |
| English A | 4+ | SL (Lang + Lit) and (Lit) | 3 hours, ENGL 101 | GE 2.1 |
| Environmental Systems and Societies | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, EVRN 148 | GE 3N |
| Film | 4+ | HL. SL | 3 hours, FMS 100 | GE 1.1 |
| French A | 4+ | HL, SL (Lang + Lit) | 3 hours, FREN 302, placed in FREN 326 | |
| French A | 4+ | HL, SL (Lit) | 3 hours, FREN 326 | AE 4.2 |
| French B | 4-5 | HL | 6 hours, FREN 230 & 240, placed in FREN 301 | AE 4.2 |
| French B | 6-7 | HL | 9 hours, FREN 230, 240 & 301, placed in FREN 302/326 | AE 4.2 |
| French B | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, FREN 120, placed in FREN 230/234 | AE 4.2 |
| French B | 6-7 | SL | 8 hours, FREN 120 & 230, placed in FREN 240 | AE 4.2 |
| French Language ab Initio | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, FREN 110, placed in FREN 120 | |
| French Language ab Initio | 6-7 | SL | 5 hours, FREN 120, placed in FREN 230 | |
| Geography | 4+ | HL, SL | 5 hours, GEOG 104 & 105 | GE 3N |
| German A | 4-5 | HL, SL (Lang + Lit) | 3 hours, GERM 302, placed in GERM 401 | AE 4.2 |
| German A | 6-7 | HL, SL (Lang + Lit) | 3 hours, GERM 401, placed in GERM 402 or higher | |
| German B | 4-5 | HL | 6 hours, GERM 201 & 202, placed in GERM 301 | AE 4.2 |
| German B | 6-7 | HL | 9 hours, GERM 201, 202 & 301, placed in GERM 302 | AE 4.2 |
| German B | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, GERM 108, placed in GERM 201 | AE 4.2 |
| German B | 6-7 | SL | 8 hours, GERM 108 & 201, placed in GERM 202 | AE 4.2 |
| German Language B Initio | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, GERM 104, placed in GERM 108 | AE 4.2 |
| German Language B Initio | 6-7 | SL | 5 hours, GERM 108, placed in GERM 201 | AE 4.2 |
| Global Politics | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, POLS 170 | GE 3S or AE 4.2 |
| Hebrew B | 4-5 | HL | 8 hours, HEBR 110 & 210 | |
| Hebrew B | 6-7 | HL | 13 hours, HEBR 110, 120 & 210 | |
| Hebrew B | 4+ | SL | 5 hours, HEBR 110 | |
| Hindi B | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, HNDI 120, placed in HNDI 210 | |
| Hindi B | 6-7 | SL | 8 hours, HNDI 120 & 210, placed in HNDI 220 | |
| History: U.S. History | 4-5 | HL | 3 hours, HIST 128 | GE 3H |
| History: U.S. History | 6-7 | HL | 6 hours, HIST 128 & 129 | GE 3H |
| History: U.S. History | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, HIST 128 | GE 3H |
| History: Non-U.S. History | 4+ | HL | 3 hours, HIST HT | GE 3H |
| History: Non-U.S. History | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, HIST H | |
| Information Technology in a Global Society | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, GIST S | |
| Latin | 4+ | HL | 3 hours, LAT 375, Language Satisfied | |
| Latin | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, LAT 112 | |
| Literature and Performance | 4+ | SL (English Only) | 3 hours, ENGL HE | |
| Math Further (discontinued after 2020) | 4+ | HL | 4 hours, MATH 125 | GE 1.2 |
| Math Studies (discontinued after 2020) | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, MATH U | |
| Mathematics (discontinued after 2020) | 4+ | HL | 4 hours, MATH 125 | GE 1.2 |
Mathematics | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, MATH 101 | GE 1.2 |
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches | 4+ | HL | 4 hours, MATH 125 | GE 1.2 |
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, MATH 115 | GE 1.2 |
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations | 4+ | HL | 3 hours, MATH 115 | GE 1.2 |
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations | 4+ | SL | 5 hours, MATH 104 | GE 1.2 |
| Music | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, MUSC 136 | GE 3H |
| Philosophy | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, PHIL 140 | GE 1.1 or GE 3H |
| Physics | 4+ | HL | 8 hours, PHSX 114 & 115 | GE 1.1 or GE 1.2 or GE 3N |
| Physics | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, PHSX 111 | GE 1.1 or GE 3N |
| Psychology | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, PSYC 104 | GE 3S |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, ANTH 108 | GE 3S or AE 4.2 |
| Spanish A | 4+ (Lang), (Lit) and (Lang + Lit) | HL, SL | 9 hours, SPAN 212, 216 & 322 | AE 4.2 |
| Spanish B | 4-5 | HL | 6 hours, SPAN 212 & 216 | AE 4.2 |
| Spanish B | 6-7 | HL | 9 hours, SPAN 212, 216 & 322 | AE 4.2 |
| Spanish B | 4-5 | SL | 5 hours, SPAN 111 | AE 4.1 |
| Spanish B | 6-7 | SL | 8 hours, SPAN 111 & 212 | AE 4.1 & AE 4.2 |
| Spanish Language B Initio | 4+ | SL | 5 hours, SPAN 104 | |
| Sports, Exercise, and Health Science | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, HSES 269 | |
| Theatre Arts | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, THR 100 | GE 3H |
| Visual Arts | 4+ | HL, SL | 3 hours, ART U | |
| World Religions | 4+ | SL | 3 hours, REL 104 | GE 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, administered by KU Testing Services. 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.
| Subject | Score | Credit or higher placement | KU Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50+ | 3 hours, POLS 110 | GE 3S |
| American Literature | 50+ | 3 hours, ENGL H | |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50+ | 3 hours, ENGL H | |
| Biology, general | 50+ | 3 hours, BIOL 100 | GE 3N |
| Calculus | 50+ | 4 hours, MATH 125 | GE 1.2 |
| Chemistry, general | 50+ | 5 hours, CHEM 130 | GE 1.2 or GE 3N |
| College Algebra | 50+ | 3 hours, MATH 101 | GE 1.2 |
| College Composition | 50+ | 3 hours, ENGL 101 | GE 2.1 |
| College Composition Modular | NA | No equivalent course | |
| College Mathematics | 50+ | 3 hours, MATH U | |
| English Literature | 50+ | 3 hours, ENGL H | |
| Financial Accounting | 50+ | 3 hours, ACCT U | |
| French Language, Level 1 & 2 | 50+ | 3 hours, FREN 110 | |
| French Language, Level 1 & 2 | 59+ | 6 hours, language satisfied | |
| German Language, Level 1 & 2 | 50+ | 3 hours, GERM 108 | AE 4.2 |
| German Language, Level 1 & 2 | 60+ | 6 hours, language satisfied | |
| History of the United States 1 | 50+ | 3 hours, HIST 128 | GE 3H |
| History of the United States 2 | 50+ | 3 hours, HIST 129 | GE 3H |
| Human Growth and Development | 50+ | 3 hours, ABSC SI | |
| Information Systems | 50+ | 3 hours, IST U | |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50+ | 3 hours, EPSY U | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 50+ | 3 hours, PSYC 104 | GE 3S |
| Introduction to Sociology | 50+ | 3 hours, SOC U | |
| Introductory Business Law | 50+ | 3 hours, BLAW U | |
| Natural Science | 50+ | 3 hours, PHSX NP | |
| Precalculus | 50+ | 5 hours, MATH 104 | GE 1.2 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50+ | 3 hours, ECON 144 | GE 3S |
| Principles of Management | 50+ | 3 hours, MGMT 310 | |
| Principles of Marketing | 50+ | 3 hours, MKTG 310 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50+ | 3 hours, ECON 142 | GE 3S |
| Social Sciences & History | 50+ | 3 hours, Social Science Elective | |
| Spanish Language, Level 1 & 2 | 41-49 | Placement in SPAN 212 | |
| Spanish Language, Level 1 & 2 | 50+ | 5 hours, SPAN 108 | |
| Spanish with Writing, Level 1 & 2 | 50+ | 5 hours SPAN 108. Placement in SPAN 212 | |
| Spanish with Writing, Level 1 & 2 | 60+ | 11 hours SPAN 108, SPAN 212, & SPAN 216. Placement in SPAN 322 | AE 4.2 |
| Western Civilization 1 | 50+ | 3 hours, HUM HT | |
| Western Civilization 2 | 50+ | 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 Completed | Credit |
|---|---|
| 3rd Semester Course | 3 hours |
| 4th Semester Course | 6 hours |
| 5th Semester Course | 9 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
| Exemption | Score | Completion Status |
|---|---|---|
| ACT Mathematics Score | 26+ | Complete |
| SAT Mathematics Score | 610+ | Complete |
| International Baccalaureate | 6+ | Complete |
| Math Placement Exam | 3+ | 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
| Exemption | Score | Completion Status |
|---|---|---|
| ACT English or Verbal Score | 27 + | 1 of 2 Complete |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing | 630+ | 1 of 2 Complete |
| Advanced Placement Language and Composition Exam | 3 | 1 of 2 Complete |
| Advanced Placement Language and Composition Exam | 4+ | Complete |
| Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam | 3 | 1 of 2 Complete |
| Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam | 4+ | Complete |
| International Baccalaureate | 5 | 1 of 2 Complete |
| International Baccalaureate | 6+ | Complete |
Oral Communication
KU Core Goal 2, Learning Outcome 2
| Exemption | Score | Completion Status |
|---|---|---|
| Two semesters of high school speech or debate | Grade of B or higher | Complete |
Students who believe they qualify for this exemption should complete the form at this link to petition the exemption: Goal 2.2 Exemption Petition.
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