University Bulletin
Undergraduate Degree Programs
THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM OF THE COLLEGE BOARD — The University cooperates with the College Board in this program. Credit may be awarded for Advanced Placement Examinations depending upon the grade earned on the examination and other factors as indicated in the following paragraphs.
A student who does advanced work in high school may take Advanced Placement Examinations that are based on college-level studies. For some examinations, the amount of credit awarded varies with an earned grade of three, four, or five. If credit is awarded, a student's University record will carry notation of credit, but no grade will be recorded. Credit acquired in this manner does not affect a student's grade-point average at the University.
Limitations of credit earned through the Advanced Placement Examinations are as follows: (a) the credit must be useful in a student's program of study; (b) duplicate credit in the same subject is not awarded in any case; and (c) credit may be awarded only to a student who is a candidate for a degree at this University.
General credit may be awarded for an Advanced Placement Examination covering material that is not the substantial equivalent of material covered in a specific University course. General credits may be used to fulfill degree requirements in any area; their use is not necessarily limited to general education or elective requirements. General credits are applied to a student's program of study in accordance with the procedures established by the college or other degree-granting unit of enrollment. Information about the use of general credits or specific course credits earned by Advanced Placement Examinations in individual programs of study may be obtained from a student's academic adviser or from the office of the dean of a student's college.
Undergraduate students interested in receiving credit for Advanced Placement Examinations should arrange for their official grade reports to be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the Undergraduate Admissions Office,The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Shields Building, Box 3000, University Park PA 16804-3000; which is responsible for evaluating such reports and awarding credit.
The schedule of credit awarded for Advanced Placement Examinations may be revised as a result of periodic review by the faculty.
Current information about advanced placement credit awarded by Penn State can be obtained from the Undergraduate Admissions Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Shields Building, Box 3000, University Park PA 16804-3000; 814-865-5471; on the Web: advanced placement opportunities. (Opens New Window)