Credit for Prior Learning

What is Credit for Prior Learning? 

At UAlbany, we know college-level learning often happens outside the classroom.  

Credit for Prior Learning allows UAlbany students to earn academic credit for standardized examinations, military education and training, professional certification and licensing programs, non-credit coursework, on-the-job training, and more.  

To be eligible for a Credit for Prior Learning evaluation, you must be a matriculated (degree-seeking) undergraduate student at UAlbany. A maximum of 90 transfer credits can be applied toward your bachelor’s degree requirements.

Please email [email protected] with any questions about Credit for Prior Learning. 

 

How can I earn credit for my prior learning? 

Credit is granted for verifiable college-level learning, not just the experience itself. Please follow the instructions below to have your prior learning evaluated for credit.

Note: Submitting test scores and/or other documentation does not guarantee credit will be granted. 

 

Standardized Exams

earn
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

If a student designates the University at Albany on their AP exam answer sheet, the College Board will send AP Grade Reports to UAlbany in July. Students can also send AP scores to UAlbany after they complete the exam. 

Each AP Grade Report is cumulative and includes the student’s grades for all AP exams taken, unless the student requests one or more grades be withheld or cancelled. Learn more about AP Score Reporting Services
 

AP Test NameAP Test ScoreUAlbany Equivalent(s)Total UAlbany Credits
African American Studies3, 4 or 5

AAFS101

AAFSE10

6
Art: History 3, 4 or 5

AARH 170 

AARH 171

6
Art: Studio - 2D Design3, 4 or 5

AART 110 

AART E10

6
Art: Studio - 3D Design3, 4 or 5

AART 115 

AART E10

6
Art: Studio - Drawing Portfolio3, 4 or 5

AART E10 

AART E11

6
Biology5

ABIO 120 

ABIO 121 

ABIO 201 

ABIO 202Z

Biology3 or 4

ABIO E00 

ABIO E01

8
Chemistry3, 4 or 5

ACHM 115

ACHM 116

8
Chinese3, 4 or 5

AEAC 101 

AEAC 102

10
Computer Science A4 or 5ICSI 2014
Computer Science Principles3, 4 or 5ICSI 1053
European History5

AHIS 130 

AHIS 131

6
European History3 or 4

AHIS E10 

AHIS E11

6
Economics - Macro3, 4 or 5AECO 1113
Economics - Micro3, 4 or 5AECO 1103
English Language and Composition3, 4 or 5

AENG 100Z 

AENG E10

6
English Literature and Composition3, 4 or 5

AENG 121Z 

AENG 100Z

6
Environmental Science3, 4 or 5AENV 1053
French Language5

AFRE 222Y 

AFRE 301 

AFRE E30

8
French Language4

AFRE 222Y

AFRE 301 

AFRE E10

8
French Language3

AFRE 221Y 

AFRE 222Y

8
German Language5

AGER 201 

AGER 202

8
German Language3 or 4

AGER 101 

AGER 102

8
Government & Politics - Comparative3, 4 or 5RPOS E103
Government & Politics - American3, 4 or 5RPOS 1013
Human Geography3, 4 or 5AGOG 1023
Italian Language5

AITA 103 

AITA E10

8
Italian Language3 or 4

AITA 100 

AITA 101

8
Japanese Language & Culture3, 4 or 5

AEAJ 101 

AEAJ 102

10 
Latin - Vergil3, 4 or 5

ACLL 201 

ACLL 202

6
Math – Calculus AB4 or 5

AMAT 112 

AMAT E10

6
Math – Calculus AB 3

AMAT 106 

AMAT E10

6
Math – Calculus BC4 or 5

AMAT 112 

AMAT 113

8
Math – Calculus BC3

AMAT 112 

AMAT E10

8
Math – Precalculus3, 4 or 5AMAT1003
Music Theory4 or 5

AMUS 245 

AMUS E10

7
Music Theory

AMUS 110 

AMUS E10

6
Physics 14 or 5

APHY 105 

APHY 106

4
Physics 13APHY E10 4
Physics 24 or 5

APHY 108 

APHY 109

Physics 23APHY E104
Physics B 3, 4 or 5 

APHY 105 

APHY 106 

APHY 108 

APHY 109

8
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism3, 4 or 5

APHY 150 

APHY 155

4
Physics C: Mechanics3, 4 or 5

APHY 140 

APHY 145

4
Psychology 3, 4 or 5APSY 1013
Research3, 4 or 5ACAS E103
Seminar3, 4 or 5ACAS E103
Spanish Language

ASPN 103 

ASPN E10

8
Spanish Language3 or 4

ASPN 100 

ASPN 101

Spanish Literature 3, 4 or 5ASPN E10
Statistics3, 4 or 5AMAT 1083
U.S. History5

AHIS 100 

AHIS 101 

6
U.S. History3 or 4 

AHIS E10 

AHIS E11

6
World History3, 4 or 5

AHIS E10 

AHIS E11

6
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Credit
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Credit

Students must ask the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to send their CAPE transcript/certifying statement to UAlbany’s Office of International Admissions.

Students are eligible to receive up to 30 credits from CAPE. CAPE grades I through V (one through five) are required to be considered for transfer credit. For more information, please review the transfer equivalency chart below. 
 

CAPE NameUAlbany Equivalent(s)Total UAlbany Credits
Biology

ABIO E10 

ABIO E11 

6
Caribbean Studies ACLS E003
CertificateACAS E10 Credit varies 
Chemistry

ACHM 120 

ACHM 121 

ACHM 124 

ACHM 125

8
Communications

ACOM E10 

ACOM E11

6
Digital Media

ACOM E10 

ACOM E11

6
Economics

AECO E10 

AECO E11

6
Entrepreneurship BMGT 4003
Environmental ScienceAENV 1053
Management of Business

BBUS E00 

BBUS E10

Physics

APHY 105 

APHY 106 

APHY 108 

APHY 109

8
Pure Mathematics

AMAT 112 

AMAT 113

8
Sociology

ASOC 115 

ASOC E10

6
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

Students can be granted credit(s) and/or placement for successfully passing College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. CLEP’s Subject Examinations and General Examinations can be taken by anyone.

Visit the Undergraduate Bulletin for UAlbany’s policy related to obtaining credit by CLEP, including eligibility guidelines.

Eligible students must send CLEP test scores to UAlbany using these instructions. Please refer to the CLEP equivalency table below for more information.

Students seeking an exception to this policy must submit the Prior Approval for Transfer Credit Form. They’ll be asked to include:

  • An explicit recommendation from the academic department that grants the credit(s)
  • A compelling educational rationale detailing the reasons why an exception should be considered 
     
CLEP Test Name CLEP Test ScoreUAlbany Equivalent(s)Total UAlbany Credits
American Government50RPOS 1013
American Literature50AENG E10 3
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature50AENG E10 3
Biology50

ABIO E00 

ABIO E01

6
Calculus 50AMAT 112 4
Chemistry50

ACHM 120 

ACHM 121

6
College Algebra 50AMAT E003
College Composition Modular50AENG E103
College Composition (with Essay)50

AENG 100Z 

AENG E10 

6
College Mathematics (General)50AMAT E003
English Literature50AENG E103
Financial Accounting50BACC E003
French Language:  Levels I & II 50

AFRE 101 

AFRE 102 

6
French Language: Levels I & II59

AFRE 101 

AFRE 102 

AFRE E10

9
German Language: Levels I & II50

AGER 101 

AGER 102 

6
German Language: Levels I & II60

AGER 101 

AGER 102 

AGER E10

9
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 187750AHIS 1003
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present50AHIS 1013
Human Growth and Development50APSY E103
Humanities50ACAS E103
Information Systems50ICSI E103
Introduction to Educational Psychology50EPSY 2003
Introductory Business Law50BLAW 2003
Introductory Psychology50APSY 1013
Introductory Sociology50ASOC 115 3
Natural Sciences50

ABIO E00 

ACAS E10

6
Precalculus50AMAT 1003
Principles of Macroeconomics50AECO 1113
Principles of Management50BMGT E003
Principles of Marketing50BMKT E003
Principles of Microeconomics50AECO 1103
Social Sciences and History50

AHIS E10 

ACAS E10 

6
Spanish Language: Levels I & II63

ASPN 100 

ASPN 101 

ASPN E10 

9
Spanish Language: Levels I & II50

ASPN 100 

ASPN 101 

6
Spanish with Writing: Levels I & II65

ASPN 100 

ASPN 101 

ASPN E10 

ASPN E11

12
Spanish with Writing: Levels I & II50

ASPN 100 

ASPN 101 

6
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 164850AHIS 1303
Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present50AHIS 1313
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) Credit
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) Credit

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) offers and supports voluntary educational programs to service members on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) is one such program.

Eligible students must send DSST exam scores to UAlbany using these instructions

Credit(s) may be awarded for DSST exams with scores that meet or exceed 400, which is the minimum passing score recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE).

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Levels or GCEA) Credit
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Levels or GCEA) Credit

Students who have completed A-level examinations are eligible to receive up to 30 credits. Students must earn at least a C grade to obtain UAlbany credit.

Students should work with their examination provider to have official documentation of their GCEA certificate(s) sent to UAlbany’s Office of International Admissions.
 

ExamUAlbany Course Equivalent(s)Total UAlbany Credits
Accounting

BACC E10 

BACC E20

10
Biology

ABIO 130 

ABIO 131 

ABIO 122 

ABIO 123Z 

ABIO E10

10
Business

BBUS E10 

BBUS E01 

10
Chemistry

ACHM 120 

ACHM 121 

ACHM 124 

ACHM 125 

ACHM E10

10
Computer Science

ACSI E10 

ACSI E11

10
Design & Technology

AART E10 

QAPL E10

10
Economics

AECO 110 

AECO 111 

AECO E10

10
English

AENG 100Z 

AENG E10 

AENG E00

10
Geography

AGOG E10 

AGOG E11

10
Global Perspectives & Research

AGLO 103 

AGLO E10 

AGLO E00

10
History

AHIS E10  

AHIS E11

10
Greek

ACLG 101 

ACLG 102 

ACLG E10

10
Law

BLAW 220 

BLAW E10 

BLAW E00

10
Math

AMAT 112 

AMAT 113 

AMAT E10

10
Further Math

AMAT 108 

AMAT 221 

AMAT E10

10
Physics

APHY 105 

APHY 106 

APHY 108 

APHY 109 

APHY E10

10
Psychology

APSY 101 

APSY E10 

APSY E00 

10
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

To receive credit, students should work with their high school guidance office to ensure that an official IB transcript is sent upon graduation to UAlbany’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions or Office of International Admissions.
 

Students with IB Diploma 

UAlbany will award up to 30 credits to students who have completed the requirements for an IB Diploma with a cumulative score of at least 30 — including both Standard Level and Higher Level exams — and no score lower than a 4 (satisfactory).  

Credits for students with an IB diploma will be awarded as follows: 

  • 12 to 24 credits, with assigned course credit equivalents, on a course-by-course basis for Higher Level courses completed with a score from 4 (satisfactory) to 7 (excellent) 

  • 6 to 18 credits, assigned as elective credit, for completing the remaining Standard Level courses and Extended Essay requirement 
     

Students without IB Diploma 

In addition, the University at Albany will consider for credit and/or placement on a course-by-course evaluation those IB subjects completed at the Standard and Higher Levels with a score of 4 or higher.

The following lists the UAlbany equivalents for students who participate in an IB curriculum at their high school.
 

IB Course NameUAlbany Equivalent(s)Total UAlbany Credits
American History HL

AHIS 100 

AHIS 101

6
Arabic B HL

AARA 101

AARA 102

6
Biology HL

ABIO E10  

ABIO E11

6
Business & Management HL

BBUS E00 

BBUS E01

6
Chemistry HL

ACHM 115

ACHM 116

8
Chinese A1 HL

AEAC E10  

AEAC E11

6
Chinese B HL

AEAC 101  

AEAC E10

8
Computer Science HL

ICSI 201 

ICSI E10

6
Dance HL

ATHR E10  

ATHR E11

6
Design Technology HL

ACAS E10  

ACAS E11

6
Economics HL

AECO E10  

AECO E11

6
English B or A2 (second language) HL

ACAS E10  

ACAS E11

6
English (native language) HL

AENG 121  

AENG E10

6
Environmental Systems HL

AENV 105  

AENV E00

6
Exercise and Health Science HLDPEC E303
Film HL

AARH E10  

AARH E11

6
French A1 HL

AFRE E10 

AFRE E11

6
French B HL

AFRE 101 

AFRE E10

6
Geography HL

AGOG E10  

AGOG E11

6
Global Politics HLRPOS E103
Greeks / Romans HL

ACLC E10  

ACLC E11

6
History - Americas HL

AHIS E10  

AHIS E11

6
History - Asia / Oceania HL

AHIS E10  

AHIS E11

6
History - Europe HL

AHIS 130  

AHIS 131

6
History - Islamic HL

AHIS E10 

AHIS E11

6
Hindi B HL

ALIN E10  

ALIN E20

6
Information Technology in a Global Society HL

IINF E10  

IINF E11

6
Italian B HL

AITA 100 

AITA 101

6
Japanese A1 HL

AEAJ E10 

AEAJ E11

6
Japanese B HL

AEAJ 101  

AEAJ E10

8
Korean A1 HL

AEAK E10  

AEAK E11

6
Mathematics HL

AMAT 108  

AMAT 112

7
Music Composition HLAMUS 1103
Music Performance HLAMUS 1783
Philosophy HL

APHI E10  

APHI E11

6
Physics HL

APHY 105  

APHY 106  

APHY 108  

APHY 109

8
Psychology HL

APSY 101  

APSY E10

6
Spanish A1 (native language) HL

ASPN E10

ASPN E11

8
Spanish B (second language) HL

ASPN 100 

ASPN 101

8
Social & Cultural Anthropology HL

AANT 108  

AANT E10

6
Theatre Arts HL

ATHRE E10 

ATHRE E11

6
Vietnamese A1 HL

AEAS E10  

AEAS E11

6
Visual Arts HL

AART E10 

AART E11

6
Other Exams
Other Exams

If you've completed a standardized exam that isn’t listed on this page, please fill out the Credit for Prior Learning Interest Form. An Office of Undergraduate Education staff member will contact you in about three to five business days.

 

Other Ways to Earn Credit

Military Education & Training
Military Education & Training

Students who have completed military courses and/or served in the military may be eligible for credit(s) as recommended by the American Council on Education's Military Guide.

Veterans and active personnel from all U.S. military branches can access a transcript showing their experience.  

Note: Transcripts must be issued directly to the University from the organization. Documentation provided to the University directly from the student will not be accepted.

Professional Certifications & Licenses
Professional Certifications & Licenses

Students who have earned professional certifications and licenses through programs evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) National Guide and/or the National College Credit Recommendation Services (NCCRS) may be granted credit(s).

Students will be required to provide:  

  • Official documentation from the issuing organization
    • Note: Documentation must be issued directly to the University from the organization. Documentation provided to the University directly from the student will not be accepted.
  • Contact information for the issuing organization, so the University can verify completion of the credential

Official electronic copies of credentials should be sent to [email protected].

Students seeking evaluation of certificates and licenses not reviewed by ACE and/or NCCRS should complete the Credit for Prior Learning Interest Form.

 

Other Forms of Prior Learning
Other Forms of Prior Learning

Students may gain valuable knowledge, skills and competencies outside the traditional classroom through a variety of experiences, including but not limited to:  

These types of learning may be eligible for credit(s) through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) conducted by a UAlbany content specialist.

The Office of Undergraduate Education is currently developing a PLA process. If you have eligible experience, please complete the Credit for Prior Learning Interest Form. Our office will contact you with next steps once the PLA process is finalized.