Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit

A maximum of 45 units of Advanced Placement (AP), transfer work, and/or other external credit may be applied toward the 180 units required to graduate. Transfer students may apply up to 90 units of external credit. AP units count as units toward graduation but do not fulfill the General Education requirements (with one exception: AP/IB may be used to fulfill the Language requirement).

For Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, see the Office of the University Registrar’s policies online. The Stanford University CEEB Advanced Placement Chart 2015-2016 and the Stanford University IBO International Baccalaureate Higher Level Chart 2015-2016 will enable you to determine your placement and possible credit earned based on your scores. If Stanford courses are taken below the level of the placement course, the corresponding AP units will be removed as these are considered duplicating courses. 

To request AP credit at Stanford, it is your responsibility to contact the College Board, collegeboard.com, to request that your scores are sent to Stanford. Note that scores sent before June as part of the admission process are not automatically incorporated as transfer credit. You may check Axess after the first day of Autumn Quarter to view the AP credit that has been granted.

To potentially receive transfer credit for courses taken at other accredited colleges, begin by reading the Office of the Registrar’s policies and procedures online. Transfer credit from another institution can count toward graduation and can sometimes be used to fulfill General Education requirements. You should discuss transfer credit with your Academic Advising Director or for transfers, the Transfer Advising Coordinator.