American University will accept a maximum of 30 credit hours from one or a combination of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, CLEP subject examinations, or other AU-approved test credit. All exams for test credit must be completed prior to AU matriculation. Exam scores must be received by the American University Office of Admissions no later than the end of the second enrolled term. Exam scores more than six years old will not be accepted for credit. Advanced credit exams may be applied toward the major or minor, or as elective credit.

Eligibility to receive advanced credit for specific exams as well as course equivalencies are determined by American University faculty and are subject to change based on annual review. Admitted students should check with their academic advisor for help understanding how credits earned by examination fit with their overall degree program.

For more information about the transferability of Advanced Standing Exams, please use the Transfer Evaluation System (TES®) found at Transferring Credit to AU.

Important: If you have taken an exam or exams that does not have an equivalency listed in the Transfer Evaluation System (TES®), please follow the guidelines below. Completion of this process is a recommendation only, and does not reflect any guarantee that advanced standing will be awarded even if you go through the entire translation process.

1. Please provide a certified/notarized, official English translation of the full syllabus for each examination subject you wish to be considered. Send as a PDF attachment to: intadm@american.edu

2. International Admissions will forward this information to our Registrar's Office, who in turn will share with the appropriate faculty member for review.

3. Translated syllabi must be received by the Admissions Office as soon as possible but no later than the end of your first semester.

Note: Due to lack of sufficient information for certain examinations, we may require the student to demonstrate proficiency through further testing in the subject area in order to receive credit.

Special note on University requirements and AU Core Curriculum requirements

All undergraduate students must complete the College Writing requirement, which normally consists of a two-course sequence, for a total of 6 credits. Incoming freshmen may satisfy the first College Writing requirement by scoring a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Test, the AP Capstone, or a 5 or higher on the Higher Level IB Exam. All students must also earn a grade of C or better in WRTG-106 to satisfy the second writing requirement.

More information on the College Writing and Mathematics requirements.

Finally, advanced credit exams may not be used to satisfy AU Core requirements. Advanced credit exams may still be applied toward the major or minor, or as elective credit.

More information on the AU Core Curriculum.