International Baccalaureate (IB)
Please consult with a counselor for questions and up to date information regarding exams. Units vary depending on the university.
Southwestern College, on recommendation of the faculty, may award up to six or more units of credit for each International Baccalaureate (IB) higher-level subject examination passed with a score of four or better. Although six (6) or more units may be awarded for a given IB test, only one course (3 semester units) may be used to complete an IGETC requirement. To receive credit, students must request that their IB scores (transcripts) be sent to Southwestern College. Once the scores are on file with the College, the student must petition for the awarding of credit. Petitions are available online. Credit will not be posted to the student’s permanent record.
Please be aware that each university sets its own criteria for the awarding of International Baccalaureate credit. For instance, the University of California (UC) system will only award credit for a score of five or higher on each higher-level exam.
| Examination | Score | SWC Units | SWC GE Area | CSU-GE Certification* | CSU Units Towards Admission** | IGETC Certification | UC Units Towards Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology HL | 4 | 4 units | Area B | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Biology HL | 5-7 | 4 units | Area B | 3 units, Area B2 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 5B without Lab | 5.3 quarter units |
| Chemistry HL | 5-7 | 5 units | Area B | 3 units Area B1 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 5A without Lab | 5.3 quarter units |
| Economics HL | 4 | 3 units | Area D | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Economics HL | 5-7 | 3 units | Area D | 3 units, Area D | 6 units | 3 units, Area 4 | 5.3 quarter units |
| Geography HL | 4 | 6 units | Area D | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Geography HL | 5-7 | 6 units | Area D | 3 units, Area D | 6 units | 3 units, Area 4 | 5.3 quarter units |
| History (any region) HL | 5-7 | 6 units | Area D | 3 units, Area C2 or D | 6 units | 3 units, Area 3B or 4 | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A: Literature (any language) HL | 4 | 6 units | Area C | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | N/A | N/A |
| Language A: Literature (any language) HL | 5-7 | 6 units | Area C | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 3B | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A: Literature (any language, except English) HL | 5-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 units, Area 3B and 6A | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A: Language and Literature (any language) HL | 4 | 6 units | Area C | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | N/A | N/A |
| Language A: Language and Literature (any language) HL | 5-7 | 6 units | Area C | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 3B | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A: Language and Literature (any language, except English) HL |
5-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 units, Area 3B and 6A | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A1 (any language) HL (Prior to Fall 2013) ^1 |
4 | 6 units | Area C | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | N/A | N/A |
| Language A1 (any language) HL (Prior to Fall 2013) ^1 |
5-7 | 6 units | Area C | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 3B | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A1 (any language, except English) HL (Prior to Fall 2013)^1 |
5-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 units, Area 3B and 6A | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A1 (English) HL (Prior to Fall 2013) ^1 |
4 | 6 units | Area A1 and C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Language A2 (any language) HL (Prior to Fall 2013) ^1 |
4 | N/A | N/A | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | N/A | N/A |
| Language A2 (any language) HL (Prior to Fall 2013) ^1 |
5-7 | N/A | N/A | 3 units, Area C2 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 3B | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A2 (any language, except English) HL (Prior to Fall 2013)^1 |
5-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 units, Area 3B and 6A | 5.3 quarter units |
| Language A2 (Spanish) HL (Prior to Fall 2013) ^1 |
4-7 | 6 units | Area C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Language B (any language) HL 1 | 4 | 5 units | Area C | N/A | 6 units | N/A | N/A |
| Language B (any language) HL 1 | 5-7 | 5 units | Area C | N/A | 6 units | 3 units, Area 6A | 5.3 quarter units |
| Mathematics HL | 4 | 4 Units | Math 120 | 3 units, Area B4 | 6 units | N/A | N/A |
| Mathematics HL | 5-7 | 5 Units | Math 250 | 3 units, Area B4 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 2A | 5.3 quarter units |
| Physics HL | 5-7 | 4 | Area B | 3 units, B1 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 5A (without Lab) | 5.3 quarter units |
| Psychology HL | 5-7 | 3 units | Area D | 3 units, D | 3 units | 3 units, Area 4 | 5.3 quarter units |
| Theatre HL | 4 | 6 units | N/A | 3 units, Area C1 | 6 units | N/A | N/A |
| Theatre HL | 5-7 | 6 units | N/A | 3 units, Area C1 | 6 units | 3 units, Area 3A | 5.3 quarter units |
| N/A |
-Not Applicable |
| HL |
-Higher Level |
| * |
Areas of GE Breadth (A1 through E) are defined in EO 1100 Revised (August 23, 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. |
| ^ |
Students seeking certification in GE Breadth prior to transfer must have passed the test before this date. |
| 1 |
The IB curriculum offers language at various levels for native and non -native speakers. Language B course are offered at the intermediate level for non-natives. Language A1 and A2 are advanced courses in literature for native and non-native speakers, respectively. |
| Note: |
|