Advanced Placement Credit
- A maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit may be counted toward any undergraduate degree. These units will count toward graduation but will not meet general education requirements.
- No department at Washington University offers absolute credit, without further study, for scores lower than 4. In French and German, an AP test score of 3 confirmed by a course taken in residence at Washington University earns additional credit; see listings below.
- If a student takes a course in residence for which they have already received AP credit, the AP credit will be removed automatically.
If you need to have your AP test scores sent to WashU, please contact the College Board at www.collegeboard.org or 1-888-225-5427 (WashU College Code 6929). Please verify that the College Board has your correct/legal full name, date of birth, and high school information so we can correctly match your AP test scores to your WashU student record. It may take several days for WashU to receive AP test scores from the College Board, and several days for your AP test scores to be uploaded to your WashU student record. If you do not see your AP scores listed on your WashU student record after 30 days from the date of your request to the College Board, please contact Sarah Longo via email (sarahlongo@wustl.edu).
AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES (L90) — Test: AAS
Grade 5 or 4: Students will receive 3 units of elective credit for L90 208. These units do not replace Introduction to Africana Studies (L90 255), Foundations in African & African American Studies (L90 1002), or other specific course requirements for an AFAS major or minor.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
ART HISTORY (L01) — Test: AHS
Grade 5 or 4: 3 units of elective credit for L01 113 Introduction to Western Art contingent upon the completion of a 300- or 400-level Art History course with a grade of B or better. Students in the Sam Fox School must complete L01 Art History 113.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
BIOLOGY (L41) — Test: BIO
Grade 5, 4: 6 units of credit for L41 Biol 100A (elective credit). Students who plan to major in Biology or who are pre-med normally will enroll in Biol 2960 in the spring of freshman year and Biol 2970 in the fall of sophomore year.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
CHEMISTRY (L07) — Test: CHE
Those students who receive a 5 on the AP test in Chemistry will receive 3 units each of Chem 103 and 104. Those students who receive a 4 receive 3 units of Chem 103. Receipt of these credits has no bearing on fulfillment of chemistry requirements for pre-medicine or any science major and cannot be used to satisfy prerequisites for Organic Chemistry. All students who wish to pursue a Chemistry major must take Chem 111A and Chem 112A and the associated labs, Chem 151 and 152. Students who wish to pursue another major or a pre-professional preparatory curriculum requiring general chemistry must take either Chem 105 and 106 or Chem 111A and 112A (specific requirements defined by the major program) and the associated labs, Chem 151 and 152.
Students who wish to exempt either the first or second semester of General Chemistry 111 or 112, including the labs, must pass a placement exam administered by the Department of Chemistry during the first week of classes in the fall. To take the placement exam, student must contact the Chemistry department. Note that this placement exam is different from the Diagnostic Exam, which is used to recommend whether students should take Principles of General Chemistry 105 or General Chemistry 111 in the fall.
Grade 5: 6 units of credit: 3 units each of Chem 103 and 104. These units do not replace Chem 105/106 or Chem 111A/112A. Chem 106 or Chem 112A must be completed prior to registration in Chem 261 or 401 or any advanced courses in Chemistry.
Grade 4: 3 units of Chem 103. These units do not replace Chem 105/106 or Chem 111A/112A.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
COMPUTER SCIENCE (E81)
A TEST
Grade 5, 4: 3 units of general elective credit for E81 131. Students who want to confirm their skills can take the Online Placement Exam.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given, but a student can take the CSE 131 Placement Exam and receive “proficiency” credit if a passing score is achieved.
AP Computer Science Principles/Test CSP
Grade 5, 4: 3 units of general elective credit for E81 CSE 013. Students who want to confirm their skills can take the Online Placement Exam.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit awarded. Students who want to confirm their skills can take the Online Placement Exam.
ECONOMICS (L11)
MICRO — Test: EMI
Grade 5: 3 units of undergraduate general degree credit (L11 0001), contingent upon completion of L11 4011 with a grade of B or better. The credit will not count toward the Economics major/minor. Placement into any economics course having an L11 1011 prerequisite is permitted; however, by-passing introductory courses may be disadvantageous, and students are encouraged to consult with the department’s Academic Coordinator. By-passing L11 1011 requires the completion of additional economics elective credit for the major/minors in Economics and for the major in Economics + Computer Science.
Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given. Not recommended to by-pass L11 1011.
MACRO — Test: EMA
Grade 5: 3 units of undergraduate general degree credit (L11 0001), contingent upon completion of L11 4021 with a grade of B or better. The credit will not count toward the Economics major/minor. Placement into any economics course having an L11 1021 prerequisite is permitted (assuming other prerequisites are met); however, by-passing introductory courses may be disadvantageous, and students are encouraged to consult with the department’s Academic Coordinator. By-passing L11 1021 requires the completion of additional economics elective credit for the major/minors in Economics and for the major in Economics + Computer Science.
Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given. Not recommended to by-pass Econ 1021.
ENGLISH: LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (L13) OR LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (L14) — Test: ENG
Grade 5: 3 credits of elective credit (L13 0001) contingent upon completing L59 111 — 120, L59 100, L13 103 with a grade of B or better.
Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (L82)
No credit or placement given.
FRENCH (L34)
LANGUAGE — Test: LNF
All students who have previously studied French, regardless of their AP status, need to take the French Placement Exam before enrolling in their first class in the language at WashU. To receive Advanced Placement credit in French for a score of 3 or 4 you must complete a 300-level course with a grade of B or better.
Grade 5: 3 units of credits for L34 203D and 3 units of credit for L34 204D. Students are likely qualified for 307, but should take the placement exam in any case.
Grade 4: 3 units of credits for L34 203D, and 3 units of credit for L34 204D contingent upon satisfactory completion of a 300-level course–-other than conversation—conducted in the language, with a B or better.
Grade 3: 3 units of credits for L34 203D and 3 units of credit for L34 204D contingent upon satisfactory completion of a 300-level course–-other than conversation—conducted in the language, with a B or better.
Grade 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
LITERATURE — Test: LNF
All students who have previously studied French, regardless of their AP status, need to take the French Placement Exam before enrolling in their first class in the language at WashU. To receive Advanced Placement credit in French for a score of 3 or 4 you must complete a 300-level course with a grade of B or better.
Grade 5: 3 units of credits for L34 203D and 3 units of credit for L34 204D. Students are likely qualified for 307, but should take the placement exam in any case.
Grade 4: 3 units of credits for L34 203D, 3 units of credit for L34 204D contingent upon satisfactory completion of a 300-level course–-other than conversation—conducted in the language, with a B or better.
Grade 3: 3 units of credits for L34 203D and 3 units of credit for L34 204D contingent upon satisfactory completion of a 300-level course–-other than conversation—conducted in the language, with a B or better.
Grade 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
GERMAN (L21) — Test: LNG
Grade 5: 3 units of credit for L21 102D and 3 units for L21 201D; students may enroll in 202D.
Grade 4: 3 units of credit for L21 102D, and 3 units of credits* for L21 201D contingent upon satisfactory completion of L21 202D (B- or better).
*Please note: Students may receive this credit only if they start their language study at 202D.
Grade 3: 3 units of credit* for L21 102D and 3 units for L21 201D contingent upon satisfactory completion of L21 202D (B- or better).
*Please note: Students may receive this credit only if they start their language study at 202D.
Grade 2, 1: No credit or placement given. Should take departmental placement exam.
HISTORY (L22)
A grade of 5 on the AP exam can fulfill Introductory Course requirements for the History Major and Minor.
American History — Test: HSA
Grade 5: 3 units of credit for History 163.
Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for History 0001.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
European History — Test: HSE
Grade 5: 3 units of credit for History 102.
Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for History 0001.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
World History/World History: Modern — Test: HSW
Grade 5: 3 units of credit for History 164.
Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for History 0001.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
LATIN (L10) — Test: LNL
Grade 5, 4: 3 units of credit for Latin 101D and 3 units of credit for 102D upon completion of Latin 301 or L10 3161 or L10 3171 0r L10 3181 with a grade of B or better. Placement at the appropriate level is determined by departmental examination.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
MATHEMATICS (L24)
AB Test — Test: MAB
The Mathematics and Statistics Department gives a placement exam, available online and also during the Fall orientation period. We ask that all entering students planning to enroll in a calculus course (except those with an AP score of 4 or 5) take the placement exam available on Canvas. Only an AP score of 5 receives automatic credit.
Grade 5: 3 units of credit for Math 131. You will be placed into Math 132.
Grade 4: You will be placed into L24 132. You can still obtain credit for Math 131 by successful completion of Math 132 (see the Back Credit policy). Contact your major program about their specific requirements.
Grade 3: Students with scores of less than 4 should consult with their advisors about placement based on the Math Department Placement Test, SAT scores and high school record. It will be helpful to your advisor if you bring with you the title and the author's name of the calculus book you used in high school and a photocopy of its table of contents, indicating which chapters you covered.
Grade 2, 1: You will be placed into Math 131.
BC Test — Test: MBC
The Mathematics and Statistics Department gives a placement exam, available online and also during the Fall orientation period. We ask that all entering students planning to enroll in a calculus course (except those with an AP score of 4 or 5) take the placement exam available on Canvas. Only an AP score of 5 receives automatic credit.
Grade 5: 3 units of credit for Math 131 and 3 units of credit for Math 132. You will be placed into Math 233.
*An AB Subscore of 5 will earn 3 units of credit for Math 131.
Grade 4: You will be placed into Math 233. You can still obtain credit for Math 132 by successful completion of Math 233 (see the Back Credit policy). Contact your major program about their specific requirements on math waivers.
Grade 3: Students with scores of less than 4 should consult with their advisors about placement based on the Math Department Placement Test, SAT scores and high school record. It will be helpful to your advisor if you bring with you the title and the author's name of the calculus book you used in high school and a photocopy of its table of contents, indicating which chapters you covered.
Grade 2, 1: You will be placed into Math 132.
Any student entering the Calculus 131–132–233 sequence can receive AP credit for earlier courses in this sequence by successful completion, with a grade of C+ or better at Washington University, of the next course in the sequence. Students who successfully complete Math 128, with a grade of C+ or better at Washington University, can receive AP credit for Math 127. In all cases, this assumes that the student does not already have credit for the preceding courses (for example: by transfer from another college or university).
MUSIC (L27)
LITERATURE/LISTENING — Test: MUL
Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for 0001.
Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for 0001.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
THEORY — Test: MUT
Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for 0001.
Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for 0001.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit given.
PHYSICS (L31)
Physics 1 Test — Test: P1
Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for L31 113A. This corresponds to the first semester in a two semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in L31 191 and 191L in the Fall semester.
Score 4,3,2,1: No credit or placement given.
Physics 2 Test — Test: P2
Score 5: 3 units of elective credit for L31 114A. This corresponds to the second semester in a two semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in L31 192 and 192L in the spring semester. Students may not enroll in L31 192 without first taking L31 191.
Score 4,3,2,1: No credit or placement given.
C Test (Mechanics) — Test: PCM
Grade 5: 4 total units of credit for L31 191 (3 credits) and L31 191L (1 credit). This corresponds to the first semester in a two semester, calculus-based introductory physics sequence. Students may enroll in L31 192 and 192L, the second semester of this introductory calculus-based physics sequence, in the Spring semester. Physics majors and students interested in an advanced treatment of introductory physics should enroll in L31 193 and 191L in the Fall semester, followed by L31 194 and 192L in the Spring semester.
Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for L31 113A. This corresponds to the first semester in a two semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in L31 191 and 191L in the Fall semester.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
C Test (Electricity and Magnetism) — Test: PCE
Grade 5: 4 total units of credit for L31 192 (3 credits) and L31 192L (1 credit). This corresponds to the second semester in a two semester, calculus-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in L31 193 and 191L in the Fall semester, followed by L31 194 and 192L in the Spring.
Grade 4: 3 units of elective credit for L31 114A. This corresponds to the second semester in a two semester, algebra-based introductory physics sequence. Students who require calculus-based physics for course or major requirements should enroll in L31 191 and 191L in the Fall semester.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
POLITICAL SCIENCE (L32)
American Politics — Test: POA
Grade 5, 4: 3 units of undergraduate credit L32 0001, contingent upon completion of an advanced course (300/400 level) in American Politics with a grade of C or better. The credit will not count toward the Political Science major/minor, but waives the Pol Sci 101B requirement.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
Comparative Politics — Test: POC
Grade 5, 4: 3 units of undergraduate credit L32 0002, contingent upon completion of an advanced course (300/400 level) in Comparative Politics with a grade of C or better. The credit will not count toward the Political Science major/minor, but waives the Pol Sci 102B requirement.
Grade 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
PSYCHOLOGY (L33)
Grade 5: Waives the L33 100B, Introduction to Psychology, requirement, but no college credit given.
Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
SPANISH (L38): SPANISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (L38) — Test: LNS
No credit awarded. All students wishing to enroll in Spanish must take the on-line placement exam. Class placement is decided solely on the basis of this exam and not by AP scores. Students who place into and complete higher level courses can earn up to 6 units of back credit for preceding courses.
STATISTICS (L87) — Test: STA
Grade 5: Students with a 5 on the AP Statistics Exam will receive 3 units of credit for L87 2200.
Grade 4,3,2,1: No credit or placement given.
STUDIO (F20)
2-D Art and Design — Test: A2D
Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for Fine Arts 0001.
Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
3-D Art and Design — Test: A3D
Grade 5 : 3 units of elective credit for Fine Arts 0001.
Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.
Drawing — Test: DRW
Grade 5: 3 units of elective credit for Fine Arts 0001.
Grade 4, 3, 2, 1: No credit or placement given.