Credit for Prior Learning
Advanced Placement Test Policy 2022-2023
If you took an advanced placement course and passed a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam with a minimum score of three (3) in a subject matter, please follow these steps:
- Request your official AP test scores to be sent to the Admissions and Records Office at your SMCCCD college.
NOTE: If you have submitted your scores to another institution outside our district, you will need to submit your scores again to SMCCCD.
- Upon receipt of your official AP scores, the Admissions and Records Office will determine course/unit equivalencies according to the SMCCCD Advanced Placement Credit equivalency guide, and post coursework and units to your SMCCCD transcripts
- Grades and Grade Points will not be assigned to AP credit.
The following chart outlines the application of credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) towards each SMCCCD College’s Coursework, Associate Degree General Education (GE) requirements, California State University General Education (CSU GE) Breadth Certification, and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certification.
If your SMCCCD college does not offer a course similar in content to an AP exam, the college will award credit for the General Education area shown on the SMCCCD AP equivalency guide below. If there is no General Education area that aligns to the AP exam, the College may award elective credit.
Please note:
- If you have any questions regarding Math and English placement or Advanced Placement (AP) credit please contact your counselor.
- If you plan to transfer to another institution, please be aware that every college/university has its own policies regarding Credit for Prior Learning. What was accepted at SMCCCD may not be accepted at another institution. Please consult your intended transfer institution.
All units listed are semester units.
SMCCCD AP Credit Equivalency Guide
|
Advanced Placement Test Score of 3, 4, or 5 |
SMCCCD Course Equivalent |
SMCCCD Associate Degree GE Area (3 semester units unless otherwise indicated) |
CSU Credit Units |
CSU GE Breadth Area (3 semester units unless otherwise indicated) |
IGETC Area (3 semester units unless otherwise indicated) |
UC Credit Units |
|
Art History |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C1 or C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C1 or C2 |
3A or 3B |
5.3 |
|
Biology |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: B2 and B3 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 Units) |
6 |
B2 and B3 (4 units) |
5B and 5C (4 units) |
5.3 |
|
Calculus AB |
Math 251 (4 or 5) Math 241 (3) |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency (5 Units) CSM: C1 and EC2 (5 Units) |
3 (1) |
B4 |
2 |
2.6 (2) |
|
Calculus BC |
Math 251 and 252 (4 or 5), see AB subscore for (3) |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency (5 Units) CSM: C1 and EC2 (5 Units) |
6 (1) |
B4 |
2 |
5.3 (2) |
|
Calculus BC / AB Subscore (3) |
If BC score (1,2, or 3) then use AB subscore same as AB test |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency (5 Units) CSM: C1 and EC2 (5 Units) |
3 (1) |
B4 |
2 |
2.6 (2) |
|
Chemistry |
CHEM 192 (Score: 3,4) CHEM 210 (Score: 5) |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 and B3 CSM: E5A AA/AS Units: CHEM 210 (5 Units), CHEM 192 (4 Units) |
6 |
B1 and B3 (4 units) |
5A and 5C (4 units) |
5.3 |
|
Chinese Language and Culture |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
Comparative Government and Politics |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
4 |
2.6 |
|
Computer Science A |
N/A |
N/A |
3 (1) |
N/A |
N/A |
5.3 |
|
Computer Science Principles |
N/A |
Skyline: A3 Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
6 (1) |
B4 |
N/A |
5.3 |
|
English Language and Composition |
ENGL 100 |
Skyline: A2 Meets the Writing/ Reading Competency Cañada: A2 Meets the English & Reading Competency CSM: C2 and E2A |
6 |
A2 |
1A |
5.3 (4) |
|
English Literature and Composition |
ENGL 110 |
Skyline: A2 and C2 Meets Writing/Reading Competency (6 units) Cañada: A2 and C2 Meets the English and Reading Competency (6 Units) CSM: C2 and E2A and E5C (6 Units) |
6 |
A2 and C2 (6 units) |
1A or 3B |
5.3 (4) |
|
Environmental Science |
ENVS 100 & ENVS 101 (Skyline & CSM Only) |
Skyline & Cañada: B1and B3 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 Units) |
4 |
B1 and B3 (4 units) |
5A and 5C (3 units) |
2.6 |
|
European History |
HIST 101 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 or D CSM: E5B or E5C |
6 |
C2 or D |
3B or 4 |
5.3 |
|
French Language and Culture |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
German Language and Culture |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
Human Geography |
GEOG 110 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
4 |
2.6 |
|
Italian Language and Culture |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
Japanese Language and Culture |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
Latin |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
Macroeconomics |
ECON 100 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
4 |
2.6 |
|
Microeconomics |
ECON 102 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
4 |
2.6 |
|
Music Theory (5) |
MUS 100 |
Skyline & Cañada: C1 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C1 |
N/A |
5.3 |
|
Physics 1 |
PHYS 210 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 and B3 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 units) |
4 (6) |
B1 and B3 (4 units) |
5A and 5C |
5.3 (7) |
|
Physics 2 |
PHYS 220 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 and B3 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 units) |
4 (6) |
B1 and B3 (4 units) |
5A and 5C |
5.3 (7) |
|
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
PHYS 260 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 and B3 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 units) |
4 (6) |
B1 and B3 (4 units) |
5A and 5C |
2.6 (7) |
|
Physics C: Mechanics |
PHYS 250 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 and B3 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 units) |
4 (6) |
B1 and B3 (4 units) |
5A and 5C |
2.6 (7) |
|
Psychology |
PSYC 100 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
4 |
2.6 |
|
Seminar |
N/A |
0 |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Spanish Language and Culture |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
Spanish Literature and Culture |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
6 |
C2 |
3B and 6A |
5.3 |
|
Statistics |
MATH 200 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency (4 Units) CSM: C1 and E2C (4 Units) |
3 |
B4 |
2A |
2.6 |
|
Studio Art: 2D Design |
N/A |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
5.3 (8) |
|
Studio Art: 3D Design |
N/A |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
5.3 (8) |
|
Studio Art: Drawing |
N/A |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
5.3 (8) |
|
U.S. Government and Politics |
N/A |
Skyline: D and US-2 Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D and US-2 |
4 |
5.3 |
|
U.S. History |
HIST 201 |
Skyline: C2 or D & US-1 Cañada: C2 or D CSM: E5B or E5C |
6 |
C2 or D and US-1 |
3B or 4 |
5.3 |
|
World History: Modern |
HIST 106 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 or D CSM: E5B or E5C |
3 |
C2 or D |
3B or 4 |
5.3 |
(1) Maximum Credit: If a student passes more than one AP exam in Calculus or Computer Science, only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate for CSU.
(2) Maximum Credit: 5.3 semester units for both MATH AB and BC Exams; 2.7 semester units for both AB and the AB Subscore for UC
(3) Students who take the BC exam and earn a subscore of 3 or higher on the AB portion will receive credit for the AB exam, even if they do not receive a score of 3 or higher on the BC exam for UC.
(4) Maximum Credit: 5.3 semester units for both English Language and Composition and English Literature and Composition exams for UC
(5) UC's grant credit for the full Music Theory exam. Students who earn only a subscore will not receive exam credit for UC.
(6) Maximum Credit: 4 semester units toward GE and 6 semester units toward transfer for all Physics exams passed for CSU.
(7) Maximum Credit: 5.3 semester units for all Physics exams for UC.
(8) Maximum Credit: 5.3 semester units for all Studio Art exams for UC.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit Policy 2022-2023
The International Baccalaureate (IB) exam assesses student work and measures students’ academic, intercultural and basic skills.
Credit may be earned for the International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations with scores of 4 or higher.
A score of 5, 6, or 7 on Higher Level exams is required to grade credit for IGETC certification
You can send in your scores to be awarded academic credit.
- Request your official IB Score Reports to be sent from Admissions and Records Office at your SMCCCD college
- Upon receipt of your official IB scores, the Admissions and Records Office will determine course/unit equivalencies according to the SMCCCD IB Credit equivalency guide, and post coursework and units to your SMCCCD transcripts.
- Grades and Grade Points will not be assigned to IB Credit.
The following chart outlines the application of credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) towards each SMCCCD College’s Coursework, Associate Degree General Education (GE) requirements, California State University General Education (GE) Breadth Certification, and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certification.
If your SMCCCD college does not offer a course similar in content to an IB exam, the college will award credit in the General Education area shown on the California Community College General Education IB List. If there is no General Education area that aligns the IB exam, the College may award elective credit.
Please note:
- An acceptable IB scores for IGETC equates to either 3 semester or 4 quarter units for certification purposes.
- Students who have earned credit from an IB exam should not take a comparable college course because transfer credit will not be granted for both.
- If you have any questions regarding Math and English placement or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit please contact your counselor.
- If you plan to transfer to another institution, please be aware that every college/university has their own policies about Credit for Prior Learning. What was accepted at SMCCCD may not be accepted at another institution. Please consult your intended transfer institution.
All units listed are semester units.
SMCCCD IB Credit Equivalency Guide
|
IB Examination HL |
SMCCCD Course Equivalent |
SMCCCD Associate Degree GE Area (3 semester units with a minimum score of 5, unless otherwise indicated) |
CSU Credit Units (A minimum score of 5, unless otherwise indicated) |
CSU GE Breadth Area (3 semester units with a minimum score of 5, unless otherwise indicated) |
IGETC Area (3 semester units with a minimum score of 5) |
UC Credit Units |
|
Biology |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: B2 and B3 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 units) |
6 |
B2 |
5B |
5.3 |
|
Chemistry |
CHEM 192 (score: 5,6) CHEM 210 (score: 7) |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 and B3 CSM: E5A AA/AS Units: CHEM 210 (5 units), CHEM 192 (4 units) |
6 |
B1 |
5A |
5.3 |
|
Economics |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
6 |
D |
4 |
5.3 |
|
Geography |
GEOG 100 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
6 |
D |
4 |
5.3 |
|
History (any Region) |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 or D CSM: E5B or E5C |
6 |
C2 or D |
3B or 4 |
5.3 |
|
Language A Literature (Any Language) |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 (Minimum Score of 4) CSM: E5C (Minimum Score of 4) |
6 (Minimum Score of 4) |
C2 (Minimum Score of 4) |
3B (1) |
5.3 |
|
Language A Language and Literature (Any Language) |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 (Minimum Score of 4) CSM: E5C (Minimum Score of 4) |
6 (Minimum Score of 4) |
C2 (Minimum Score of 4) |
N/A |
5.3 |
|
Language B (any language) |
N/A |
N/A |
6 (Minimum Score 4) |
N/A |
6A |
5.3 |
|
Mathematics |
MATH 251 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 (Minimum Score of 4) Meets Math Competency Requirement (5 units) CSM: C1 and E2C (Minimum Score of 4) (5 units) |
6 |
B4 (Minimum Score of 4) |
2 |
5.3 |
|
Physics |
PHYS 210, PHYS 220 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 (4 units) CSM: E5A (4 units) |
6 |
B1 |
5A |
5.3 |
|
Psychology |
PSYC 100 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5C |
3 |
D |
4 |
5.3 |
|
Theatre |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C1 (Minimum Score of 4) CSM: E5C (Minimum Score of 4) |
6 |
C1 (Minimum Score of 4) |
3A |
5.3 |
(1) Students earn IGETC area 3B and 6A if they pass IB Language A Literature or Language A Language and Literature with any language except English.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) 2022-2023
CLEP Exams are offered by the College Board to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in academic subjects through a national, standardized exam.
If you receive a score of at least 50 on a CLEP exam, you can send in your scores to be awarded academic credit.
- Request your official CLEP scores to be sent from “My CLEP Account” on the College Board website to the Admissions and Records Office at your SMCCCD college
- Upon receipt of your official CLEP scores, the Admissions and Records Office will determine course/unit equivalencies according to the SMCCCD CLEP Credit equivalency guide, and post coursework and units to your SMCCCD transcripts.
- Grades and Grade Points will not be assigned to CLEP Credit.
The following chart outlines the application of credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) towards each SMCCCD College’s Coursework, Associate Degree General Education (GE) requirements, California State University General Education (GE) Breadth Certification.
If your SMCCCD college does not offer a course similar in content to an CLEP exam, the college will award credit in the General Education area shown on the California Community College General Education CLEP List. If there is no General Education area that aligns the IB exam, the College may award elective credit.
Please note:
- If a student passes more than one CLEP test in the same language other than English, then only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate. For each test in a language other than English, then only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate. For each test in a language other than English, a passing score of 0 is considered "Level I" and earns six units of baccalaureate credit; the higher score listed for each test is considered "Level II" and earns additional units of credit and placement in Area C2 of GE Breadth, as noted.
- If you have any questions regarding Math and English placement or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit please contact your counselor.
- If you plan to transfer to another institution, please be aware that every college/university has their own policies about Credit for Prior Learning. What was accepted at SMCCCD may not be accepted at another institution. Please consult your intended transfer institution.
All units listed are semester units.
SMCCCD CLEP Credit Equivalency Guide
|
Subject Exam |
SMCCCD Course Equivalent |
Passing Score |
SMCCCD Associate Degree GE Area (3 Semester Units) |
CSU Credit Units |
CSU GE Breadth Area |
CSU GE Breadth Units |
|
American Government |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
American Literature |
LIT 202 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E2C or E5C |
3 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E2C or E5C |
3 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Biology |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: B2 CSM: E5A |
3 |
B2 |
3 |
|
Calculus |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
Chemistry |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 CSM: E5A |
3 |
B1 |
3 |
|
College Algebra |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
College Algebra – Trigonometry |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
College Composition |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
College Composition-Modular |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
College Mathematics |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
English Composition (no essay) |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
English Composition (with essay) |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Financial Accounting |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
French Level I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
6 |
N/A |
0 |
|
French Level II |
N/A |
59 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
9 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Freshman College Composition |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
German Level I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
6 |
N/A |
0 |
|
German Level II |
N/A |
60 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
9 |
C2 |
3 |
|
History, United States I |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D Meets US History Specific Area CSM: E5B |
3 |
D and US 1 |
3 |
|
History, United States II |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D Meets US History Specific Area CSM: E5B |
3 |
D and US 1 |
3 |
|
Human Growth and Development |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: E CSM: E5B |
3 |
E |
3 |
|
Humanities |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
3 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Information System and Computer Applications |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Introduction to Educational Psychology |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Introductory Business Law |
BUS 201 |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Introductory Psychology |
PSYC 100 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Introductory Sociology |
SOCI 100 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Natural Sciences |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 or B2 CSM: E5A |
3 |
B1 or B2 |
3 |
|
Pre-Calculus |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
Principles of Accounting |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Principles of Management |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Principles of Marketing |
BUS 180 |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Principles of Macroeconomics |
ECON 100 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Principles of Microeconomics |
ECON 102 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Social Sciences and History |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Spanish Level I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
6 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Spanish Level II |
N/A |
63 |
N/A |
9 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Western Civilization I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
C2 or D |
3 |
|
Western Civilization II |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
D |
3 |