Advanced Placement (AP)
Please consult with a counselor for questions and up to date information regarding exams. Units vary depending on the university.
Students will be granted college credit for one or more Southwestern College courses provided they have a satisfactory score on an appropriate Advanced Placement Examination conducted by the College Board. It is not necessary for a student to have taken or successfully completed the Advanced Placement class in high school to receive credit for a class based on the examination score. Credit will be granted for Advanced Placement Exam scores of three (3) and above for California Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, California State University General Education Breadth, or a general education requirement for a Southwestern College degree, as appropriate for a student’s needs.
Note: Although six (6) units may be awarded for a given AP test, only one course (3 semester units) may be used to complete an IGETC requirement.
Students planning to transfer without a CSU or IGETC certification should consult with a counselor and check the catalog of the four-year institution to see how AP credits are awarded, since awards can vary. Additional units may count for elective units toward eligibility for admission to a CSU or UC.
Students will not receive duplicate credit for coursework completed at Southwestern College. AP credit will not be posted to the student’s permanent record.
**NOTE: SWC will award the greater of the value in the CSU units towards transfer or the SWC college course unit value for each individual AP exam used. See CCCCO Memo AA 17-20 (March 30, 2017).
CSU Advanced Placement Policies
The AP exams may be incorporated into certification of CSU General Education Breadth Requirements. All CSU campuses will accept the minimum units shown if the examination is included in full or subject area certification; individual CSU campuses may choose to accept more than those specified towards completion of general education breadth requirements. The CSU Semester Units Toward Admission unit column reflects what each campus system wide will minimally accept toward CSU Admission.
UC Advanced Placement Policies
Each AP exam may be applied to one IGETC area, as satisfying one course requirement, with the exception of Language Other Than English. The final column reflects what the University of California will award per AP exam for admission to any UC campus.
To obtain official AP transcripts, go to www.collegeboard.org or contact AP services toll free at (888) 225-5427.
| Examination | Score | SWC (Semester Units) | Southwestern College Courses | CSU-GE Certification (Semester Units) * | CSU Semester Units Towards Admission** | IGETC Certification (Semester Units) | UC Units Towards Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art History | 3, 4, 5 | 6 units | ART 150, ART 151 | 3 units Area C1 or C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3A or 3B |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Biology | 3, 4, 5 | 4 units | BIOL 100, BIOL 101 | 4 units Area B2 and B3 |
6 units | 4 units Area 5B and 5C |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►Calculus AB1 or BC/AB Subscore1 |
3 | 4 units | MATH 120 | 3 units Area B4 |
3 units | 3 units Area 2A |
►4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| ►Calculus AB1 or BC/AB Subscore1 |
4, 5 | 5 units | MATH 250 | 3 units Area B4 |
3 units | 3 units Area 2A |
►4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| ►Calculus BC1 | 3 | 5 units | MATH 250 | 3 units Area B4 |
6 units | 3 units Area 2A |
►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►Calculus BC1 | 4, 5 | 9 units | MATH 250 and MATH 251 | 3 units Area B4 |
6 units | 3 units Area 2A |
►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Chemistry (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
3 | 5 units | CHEM 200 | 6 units Area B1 and B3 |
6 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Chemistry (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
4 or 5 | 10 units | CHEM 200, CHEM 210 | 6 units Area B1 and B3 |
6 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Chemistry (CSU: Effective Fall 2009)^ |
3 | 5 units | CHEM 200 | 4 units Area B1 and B3 |
6 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Chemistry (CSU: Effective Fall 2009)^ |
4 or 5 | 10 units | CHEM 200, CHEM 210 | 4 units Area B1 and B3 |
6 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3, 4, 5 | 5 units | CHIN 101 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | PS 103 | 3 units Area D |
3 units | 3 units Area 4 |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| ♦Computer Science A1 (UC: Prior to Fall 2018)^ |
3 4,5 |
3 units 3 units |
N/E MATH 130 |
N/A | 3 units | N/A | ♦2 quarter/1.3 semester units |
| ♦Computer Science A1 (UC: Effective Fall 2018)^ |
3 4,5 |
3 units 3 units |
N/E MATH 130 |
N/A | 3 units | N/A | ♦8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ♦Computer Science AB1 | 3 4,5 |
3 units 6 units |
MATH 130 MATH 130, MATH 140 |
N/A | 6 units | N/A | ♦4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Computer Science Principles1 (CSU: Prior to Fall 2019)^ |
3 | 6 units | N/E | N/A | 6 Units | N/A | N/A |
| Computer Science Principles1 (CSU: Effective Fall 2019)^ |
3 | 6 units | N/E | 3 Units Area B4 |
6 units | N/A | 8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►English Language and Composition | 3, 4, 5 | 4 units | ENGL 115 | 3 units Area A2 |
6 units | 3 units Area A1 |
►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►English Literature and Composition | 3, 4, 5 | 7 units | ENGL 115, ENGL 220 or ENGL 270 | 6 units Area A2 and C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 1A or 3B |
►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Environmental Science2 (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 4 units | Area B | 4 units Area B1+B3 or B2+B3 |
4 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Environmental Science2 (CSU: Effective Fall 2009)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 4 units | EHMT 100 or Area B |
4 units Area B1+B3 |
4 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| European History | 3, 4, 5 | 6 units | HIST 104 and HIST 105 | 3 units Area C2 or D |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B or 4 |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| French Language (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | FREN 201 | 6 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| French Language (CSU: Effective Fall 2009 or prior to Fall 2011)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | FREN 201 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| French Language and Culture | 3, 4, 5 | 5 units | FREN 201 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| French Literature (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | FREN 202 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| German Language (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | Area C | 6 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| German Language (CSU: Effective Fall 2009 or prior to Fall 2011)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | Area C | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| German Language and Culture | 3, 4, 5 | 5 units | Area C | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Human Geography | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | GEOG 120 | 3 units Area D |
3 units | 3 units Area 4 |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3, 4, 5 | 5 units | ITAL 201 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3, 4, 5 | 5 units | JPN 201 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Latin Literature (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | Area C | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Latin | 3, 4, 5 | 5 units | Area C | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Latin: Vergil (CSU: Prior to Fall 2012)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | Area C | 3 units Area C2 |
3 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Macroeconomics | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | ECON 101 | 3 units Area D |
3 units | 3 units Area 4 |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Microeconomics | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | ECON 102 | 3 units Area D |
3 units | 3 units Area 4 |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Music Theory | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | MUS 131 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Music Theory (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ | 3, 4, 5 | 4 units | MUS 101, MUS 102 | 3 units Area C1 |
6 units | N/A | 8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Physics 13 (Replaced Physics B-May 2015) |
3, 4, 5 | 4 units | Area B | 4 units Areas B1 and B3 |
4 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Physics 23 (Replaced Physics B-May 2015) |
3, 4, 5 | 4 units | Area B | 4 units Areas B1 and B3 |
4 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►Physics B3 (CSU: Prior to Fall 2009)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 3 units | Area B | 6 units Areas B1 and B3 |
6 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►Physics B3 (CSU: Effective Fall 2009 and prior to Fall 2015)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 3 units | Area B | 4 units Areas B1 and B3 |
6 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ♦Physics C (Mechanics)3 | 3, 4, 5 | 4 units | PHYS 270 PHYS 271 |
4 units Areas B1 and B3 |
4 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
♦4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| ♦Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism)3 | 3, 4, 5 | 4 units | PHYS 272 PHYS 273 |
4 units Areas B1 and B3 |
4 units | 4 units Area 5A and 5C |
♦4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Psychology | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | PSYC 101 | 3 units Area D |
3 units | 3 units Area 4 |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Seminar | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | N/E | N/A | 3 units | N/A | N/A |
| Spanish Language (CSU: Prior to Spring 2014)^ |
3 | 5 units | SPAN 201 | 6 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Spanish Language (CSU: Prior to Spring 2014)^ |
4 | 5 units | SPAN 202 | 6 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Spanish Language (CSU: Prior to Spring 2014)^ |
5 | 5 units | SPAN 215 | 6 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Spanish Language and Culture (CSU: Effective Spring 2014)^ |
3 | 5 units | SPAN 201 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Spanish Language and Culture (CSU: Effective Spring 2014)^ |
4 | 5 units | SPAN 202 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Spanish Language and Culture (CSU: Effective Spring 2014)^ | 5 | 5 units | SPAN 215 | 3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Spanish Literature (CSU: Prior to Spring 2013)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 5 units | SPAN 225 or SPAN 226 |
6 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Spanish Literature and Culture (CSU: Effective Spring 2013)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 3 units | SPAN 225 or SPAN 226 |
3 units Area C2 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B and 6A |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| Statistics | 3, 4, 5 | 4 units | MATH 119 | 3 units Area B4 |
3 units | 3 units Area 2A |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| Studio Arts (CSU: Prior to Fall 2010)^ |
3, 4, 5 | 6 units | ART 100, ART 101 | N/A | 3 units | N/A | N/A |
| ►Studio Art - 2D Design | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | ART 101 | N/A | 3 units | N/A | ►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►Studio Art - 3D Design | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | ART 103 | N/A | 3 units | N/A | ►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| ►Studio Arts - Drawing | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | ART 100 | N/A | 3 units | N/A | ►8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| U.S. Government and Politics + | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | PS 102 | 3 units Area D and US-2 |
3 units | 3 units Area 4 and US-2 |
4 quarter/2.6 semester units |
| U.S. History + | 3, 4, 5 | 6 units | HIST 100 and HIST 101 | 3 units Area C2 or D and US-1 |
6 units | 3 units Area 3B or 4 and US-1 |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| World History | 3, 4, 5 | 3 units | HIST 106 | 3 units Area C2 or D |
3 units | 3 units Area 3B or 4 |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| World History: Modern (CSU: Effective Fall 2019) |
3, 4, 5 | 3 units | HIST 107 | 3 units Area C2 or D |
3 units | 3 units Area 3B or 4 |
8 quarter/5.3 semester units |
| N/A |
Not Applicable |
| N/E |
No Equivalency |
| * |
Areas of GE Breadth (A1 through E) are defined in EO 1100 (Revised August 27, 2017). Areas of American Institutions (US-1 through US-3) are set forth in Sections IA and IB of EO 1061, and at assist.org. Numerical subcategories for CSU Area D (UC Area 4) were removed and no longer apply effective 4/11/2018. Contact the college Articulation Officer for CSU Area D historical reference. |
| ** |
These units count toward eligibility for admission. See Executive Orders 1036 and 1100 for details. When within the Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T), a California Community College awards course equivalency credit for a CSU-approved standardized external examination – the CSU campus shall accept the course units awarded. These units shall be applied toward the lower-division minimum unit requirement for the CSU degree and, if applicable, toward meeting the minimum unit designation for the CSU major or CSU GE-Breadth requirements. See CSU Coded Memo ASA-2018-06. NOTE: SWC will award the greater of the value in the CSU units towards transfer or the SWC college course unit value for each individual AP exam used, including an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T). See CCCCO Memo AA 17-20 (March 30, 2017). |
| ^ |
Students seeking certification in GE Breadth prior to transfer must have passed the test before this date. Note "prior" and "effective" dates. |
| ► |
English Language/Literature - UC - 5.3 semester units/8 quarter units maximum for both exams. Mathematics/Calculus AB & BC - UC - 5.3 semester units/8 quarter units maximum for both exams. Physics - UC - 5.3 semester units/8 quarter units maximum for all three exams. Studio Arts - UC - 5.3 semester units/8 quarter units maximum for all three exams. |
| ♦ |
Computer Science - UC 4 quarter unit maximum for both tests. Physics – UC 3 semester or 4 quarter unit maximum for are applied for IGETC certification; students who complete these exams will be required to complete at least 4 semesters or 5 quarter units to satisfy the minimum required units for IGETC Area 5. |
| + |
These exams only partially fulfill the CSU U.S. History, Constitution and American Ideals graduation requirements but can be used toward the American Institutions requirement. US-1 = American History US-2 = The U.S. Constitution |
| 1 |
If a student passes more than one AP exam in Calculus or Computer Science, only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate. |
| 2 |
Students who pass AP Environmental Science earn 4 units of credit. Tests prior to Fall 2009 may apply to either B1+B3 or B2+B3 of GE Breadth. Fall of 2009 or later, those credits may be only apply to B1+B3. |
| 3 |
If a student passes more than one AP exam in Physics, only 6 units of credit may be applied to the baccalaureate, and only 4 units of credit may be applied to a certification in GE Breadth. |