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Columbia University
Columbia University

Columbia University AP credit

What each AP score earns at Columbia University for 2024-2025: 41 exams, credit shown in semester hours. Always confirm with the school before you plan your schedule.

Rules that apply to every exam

  • AP scores of 3, 4, or 5 can be used to meet IGETC, CSU General Education Breadth, and/or Columbia College General Education Breadth.
  • Students must have the College Board send AP exam results to the Admissions & Records Office; hand-carried copies are not accepted.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to see a counselor when interpreting AP scores.
  • Course credit and units granted at Columbia College may differ from those granted by a transfer institution.
  • If a student passes more than one AP exam in calculus or computer science, only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate.
  • For UC transfers, maximum credit is 8 quarter/5.33 semester units for English Language/Composition and English Literature/Composition combined.
  • For CSU, passing more than one AP physics exam allows only six units toward the baccalaureate and four units toward GE Breadth certification.
  • For UC, maximum credit is 8 quarter/5.33 semester units for all three Studio Art exams.
  • AA/AS: if a student takes the equivalent Columbia College course after earning AP credit, the duplicated units are deducted before the Associate degree is awarded.
  • AP credit is listed first on the transcript with units assigned and a P (Pass) grade.
  • AP U.S. Government and Politics and AP U.S. History only partially fulfill the CSU History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement.
  • AP exams must be used in the IGETC area indicated regardless of where the certifying institution's discipline is located.
AP examScoreCreditCourses
AP Art History3+3C1 or C2CSU GE C1 or C2 (3 units); IGETC 3A or 3B (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Biology3+4B2 + B3CSU GE B2 + B3 (4 units); IGETC 5B + 5C (4 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Calculus AB3+3B4CSU GE B4 (3 units); IGETC 2A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Calculus BC3+3B4CSU GE B4 (3 units); IGETC 2A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Calculus BC/AB Subscore3+3B4CSU GE B4 (3 units); IGETC 2A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Chemistry3+4B1 + B3Exam taken Fall 2009 or later. CSU GE B1 + B3 (4 units); IGETC 5A + 5C (4 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Chinese Language and Culture3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Comparative Government and Politics3+3DCSU GE D (3 units); IGETC 4H (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Computer Science A3+3—No GE area; CSU GE and IGETC N/A; AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Computer Science AB3+6—No GE area; CSU GE and IGETC N/A; AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Computer Science Principles3+3B4CSU GE B4 (3 units); IGETC N/A; AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP English Language and Composition3+3A2CSU GE A2 (3 units); IGETC 1A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned; UC 5.33 semester units.
AP English Literature and Composition3+6A2 + C2CSU GE A2 + C2 (6 units); IGETC 1A or 3B (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned; UC 5.33 semester units.
AP Environmental Science3+4B1 + B3Exam taken Fall 2009 or later. CSU GE B1 + B3 (4 units); IGETC 5A + 5C (3 units); AA/AS minimum 4 semester units earned.
AP European History3+3C2 or DCSU GE C2 or D (3 units); IGETC 3B or 4F (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP French Language and Culture3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP German Language and Culture3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Human Geography3+3DCSU GE D (3 units); IGETC 4E (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Italian Language and Culture3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Japanese Language and Culture3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Latin3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Macroeconomics3+3DCSU GE D (3 units); IGETC 4B (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Microeconomics3+3DCSU GE D (3 units); IGETC 4B (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Music Theory3+3C1Exam taken before Fall 2009. CSU GE C1 (3 units); IGETC N/A; AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Physics 13+4B1 + B3CSU GE B1 + B3 (4 units); IGETC 5A + 5C (4 units); AA/AS minimum 4 semester units earned.
AP Physics 23+4B1 + B3CSU GE B1 + B3 (4 units); IGETC 5A + 5C (4 units); AA/AS minimum 4 semester units earned.
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3+4B1 + B3CSU GE B1 + B3 (4 units); IGETC 5A + 5C (3 units); AA/AS minimum 4 semester units earned.
AP Physics C: Mechanics3+4B1 + 3Course code printed as B1 + 3. CSU GE (4 units); IGETC 5A + 5C (3 units); AA/AS minimum 4 semester units earned.
AP Precalculus3+3B4CSU GE B4 (3 units); IGETC N/A; AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Psychology3+3DCSU GE D (3 units); IGETC 4I (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Seminar3+3—No GE area; CSU GE and IGETC N/A; AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Spanish Language and Culture3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Spanish Literature and Culture3+3C2CSU GE C2 (3 units); IGETC 3B + 6A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP Statistics3+3B4CSU GE B4 (3 units); IGETC 2A (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP Studio Art: 2D Design3+3—No GE area; AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned; UC maximum applies to all three Studio Art exams combined.
AP Studio Art: 3D Design3+3—No GE area; AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned; UC maximum applies to all three Studio Art exams combined.
AP Studio Art: Drawing3+3—No GE area; AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned; UC maximum applies to all three Studio Art exams combined.
AP U.S. Government and Politics3+3D + US-2Course code printed as D + US-26. CSU GE D + US-26 (3 units); IGETC 4H + US-26 (3 units); AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.
AP U.S. History3+3(C2 or D) + US-16CSU GE (C2 or D) + US-16 (3 units); IGETC (3B or 4F) + US-16 (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP World History3+3C2 or DCSU GE C2 or D (3 units); IGETC 3B or 4F (3 units); AA/AS minimum 6 semester units earned.
AP World History: Modern3+3C2 or DCSU GE C2 or D (3 units); IGETC N/A; AA/AS minimum 3 semester units earned.

Source: Columbia University official AP credit policy . Read on October 22, 2026. Compare AP credit across colleges