Applying to Duke: How To Apply: Credit and Advanced Placement

GENERAL POLICIES

Trinity College of Arts and Sciences awards a limited amount of elective course credit on the basis of scores earned on advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), and pre-matriculation course work. Trinity students may be granted up to two elective course credits toward the degree requirement of 34 course credits for any combination of AP, IB, or pre-matriculation credit. These three types of pre-college work are regarded as equivalent and may be used for placement into higher-level course work and to satisfy departmental requirements at Duke to the extent allowed by individual departments. For more information about Duke's policy regarding AP credit for courses in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, please click here.

Trinity College students seeking to graduate early may have additional credits awarded for acceleration toward the degree. Students who wish to graduate early must complete an early graduation form, available from their academic dean, by the end of the fifth semester of enrollment.

The Pratt School of Engineering evaluates AP and IB credit as Trinity College does, but awards transfer credit to qualified students for college-level course work with a grade of at least C- prior to matriculation. Although the criteria for evaluating such work are the same as in Trinity College, the Pratt School requires official notification by letter from the high school principal or guidance counselor that the credit earned was not used to meet high school diploma requirements. For more information about AP credit for courses in the Pratt School of Engineering, click here.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Duke recognizes the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board and grants a limited amount of elective credit and placement into advanced courses for scores of 4 or 5 on most AP exams. AP exams may not be taken once students have enrolled at Duke.

For information about Duke's policy regarding AP credit for courses in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, please click here. For information about AP credit for courses in the Pratt School of Engineering, click here.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE AND INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT CREDIT

Entering students who have completed internationally recognized college-level examinations with high scores will receive international placement credit in essentially the same way that credit is awarded for AP exams.

For specific information about scores required to qualify for international placement credit for the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, please click here. For specific information about scores required to qualify for international placement credit for the Pratt School of Engineering, click here.

PLACEMENT IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSES

Students who plan to begin a new language that they have not previously studied do not need to submit a placement score and may register for an introductory course.

Students with previous experience in one of the foreign languages offered at Duke who wish to continue their studies at Duke should consult Languages at Duke for placement guidelines. Some languages, including Latin, French, and German, use the SAT-II or AP exam scores, if available, for placement. The Spanish language program requires the SAT-II or AP exam scores for placement, and students must have their exam results sent to Duke before they enroll in late August.

PLACEMENT IN MATHEMATICS

The Department of Mathematics offers several different approaches to the study of calculus. Students should consider their strengths and interests in determining how much math they need to take at Duke. For specific information about suitable math courses, refer to the Academic Advising Center.

TRANSFER OF WORK ELSEWHERE

Students who take one or more college courses at another American college or university prior to their enrollment at Duke can have the courses recorded on their academic record and receive AP-like credit for them. For information about requirements and documentation, please click here for policies in Trinity College or click here for policies in the Pratt School of Engineering. Please note that any college course that is used for credit towards the high school diploma will not be awarded credit here at Duke.