College-level Credit at PLU

PLU grants college-level credit to students who have taken and scored a certain level on AP, IB, Cambridge, and CLEP exams.

Additionally, PLU will grant college-level credits to students who have completed Washington State Running Start or other college courses while in high school.

Weighted GPA

PLU grants special status to IB, AP, Cambridge, Honors and Accelerated courses. PLU will weight grades in these courses when calculating an admission GPA in order to benefit those students who have challenged themselves and undertaken a rigorous high school curriculum.

What is First-Year with Advanced Standing?

Academic standing at PLU will depend on the number of college-level credits transferred in (for example, a student with an AA through Running Start will be granted junior academic status), but any high school senior submitting college-level credit through any of the programs listed will be considered first-year with advanced standing.

Here’s the reason: As a first-year student with advanced standing, a student will then still be considered the higher-level freshmen academic scholarships, which are renewable for an additional three years. These students will also be considered freshman for financial aid purposes, granting eligibility for four years.

These policies have been set by the Pacific Lutheran University Office of the Registrar and respective academic departments. PLU reserves the right to make college-level credit decisions on an individual basis.

  • Students who have completed advanced placement tests with appropriate scores may receive up to 32 semester hours of credit.
  • Credit is awarded only for scores of 3, 4 or 5.
  • Credit is applied to specific General Education Requirements or elective credit depending on the test category and score.
  • See the AP Course Policy chart here or scroll down to see credit awarded for each AP test.

If you have tested for an AP class that is not listed, the PLU Registrar’s Office will review the course individually.

  • PLU awards 32 semester hours of credit for completion of the IB Diploma
  • These 32 credits satisfy specific General Education Requirements, including Creative Expression, Engaging the Natural World, Examining Self & Society, Exploring Values & Worldviews, Interpreting Text, and Quantitative Reasoning. See the full credit breakdown on this IB Diploma chart.
  • For individual IB exams (without the IB diploma), students can receive PLU credit for Higher Level Exam scores of 4 or higher. See the IB Higher Level Exams chart here or scroll down to see the credit awarded for each Higher Level IB exam.

In order to transfer Running Start credits to PLU:

  • Courses must be from an accredited Washington community college.
    • Only 100-level or above courses will transfer credit.
  • Students must submit an official college transcript.
  • Grades in Running Start courses must be a C- or higher.

If a student earns an AA-DTA or AS-T degree through Running Start, that student will be granted junior class standing and will be considered a first-year student with advanced standing*.

For further information, please visit our webpage for Running Start students.

  • A maximum of 32 semester hours may be granted for completion of Cambridge International Examinations.
  • Students must earn a passing grade (C or better) to earn credit.
  • No credit will be awarded for AS-Level or O-Level exams.

  • Students who have completed other college courses while in high school may be awarded credit at PLU. The courses must be listed in the official college catalog, be a part of the regular college curriculum of a regionally accredited college or university, and post a grade of a C- or higher.
  • To see course by course transfer credit equivalencies from a specific community college or university, please visit our Interactive Equivalency Guide.

  • Students are permitted, within limits, to obtain credit by examination in lieu of regular enrollment in a class.
  • No more than 30 hours may be counted toward graduation from the CLEP examination or any other examination.
  • Students will not be awarded credit via CLEP for course content which they have already earned academic credit.
  • To determine individual CLEP exam eligibility and applicability, submit this Credit by CLEP Request form. Once a form has been received and reviewed, the Office of Academic Records will follow up with additional details.
  • See the CLEP Credits Awarding Chart here or scroll down to see credit awarded for each exam.

AP Course Policy Chart

AP SubjectAP Exam ScorePLU CoursePLU CreditsCredit Awarded
2D Art & Design3, 4 or 5ARTD 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
3D Art & Design3, 4 or 5ARTD 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
African American Studies3, 4 or 5GSRS 100TR4Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Art History3, 4 or 5ARTD 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
Biology3, 4 or 5BIOL 1114Gen Ed (Natural World)
Calculus AB3, 4 or 5MATH 1514Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Calculus AB Subscore3, 4 or 5MATH 1514Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Calculus BC3MATH 1514Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Calculus BC4 or 5MATH 151 & 1528Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Capstone Research3GENR 100TR4Elective
Capstone Research4 or 5GENR 100TR8Elective
Capstone Seminar3GENR 100TR4Elective
Capstone Seminar4 or 5GENR 100TR8Elective
Chemistry3CHEM 100TR4Gen Ed (Natural World)
Chemistry4 or 5CHEM 100TR8Gen Ed (Natural World)
Chinese Language & Culture3CHIN 100TR & 100TR8Elective
Chinese Language & Culture4CHIN 100TR & 100TR
CHIN 200TR
12Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Chinese Language & Culture5CHIN 100TR & 100TR
CHIN 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Comparative Government & Politics3, 4 or 5POLS 100TR4Gen Ed (Exploring Self & Society)
Computer Science A3CSCI 100TR4Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Computer Science A4 or 5CSCI 1444Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Computer Science Principles3, 4 or 5CSCI 100TR4Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Drawing3, 4 or 5ARTD 1014Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
English Language & Composition3, 4 or 5WRIT 100TR8Writing
English Literature & Composition3, 4 or 5WRIT 100TR
ENGL 100TR
8Writing
Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
Environmental Science3, 4 or 5ENVT 1044Gen Ed (Natural World)
European History3, 4 or 5HIST 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
French Language3FREN 100TR & 100TR8Elective
French Language4FREN 100TR & 100TR
FREN 200TR
12Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
French Language5FREN 100TR & 100TR
FREN 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
German Language3GERM 100TR & 100TR
GERM 200TR
12Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
German Language4GERM 100TR & 100TR
GERM 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
German Language5GERM 100TR & 100TR
GERM 200TR & 200TR
GERM 200TR
20Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
Human Geography3, 4 or 5SSCI 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Italian Language & Culture3LANG 100TR & 100TR8Elective
Italian Language & Culture4LANG 100TR & 100TR
LANG 200TR
12Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Italian Language & Culture5LANG 100TR & 100TR
LANG 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Japanese Language & Culture3LANG 100TR & 100TR8Elective
Japanese Language & Culture4LANG 100TR & 100TR
LANG 200TR
12Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Japanese Language & Culture5LANG 100TR & 100TR
LANG 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Latin3LANG 100TR & 100TR8Elective
Latin4LANG 100TR & 100TR
LANG 200TR
12Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Latin5LANG 100TR & 100TR
LANG 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Macroeconomics3, 4 or 5ECON 1024Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Microeconomics3, 4 or 5ECON 1014Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Music Theory3MUSI 100TR4Elective
Music Theory4 or 5MUSI 100TR8Elective
Physics 1: Algebra-Based3, 4 or 5PHYS 125 & 100TR Lab4Gen Ed (Natural World)
Physics 2: Algebra-Based3, 4 or 5PHYS 126 & 100TR Lab4Gen Ed (Natural World)
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism3, 4 or 5PHYS 163 & 100TR Lab4Gen Ed (Natural World)
Physics C: Mechanics3, 4 or 5PHYS 164 & 100TR Lab4Gen Ed (Natural World)
Precalculus3MATH 1154Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Precalculus4 or 5MATH 1404Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Psychology3, 4 or 5PSYC 1014Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Research3, 4 or 5GENR 100TR4Elective
Seminar3, 4 or 5GENR 100TR4Elective
Spanish Language & Culture3HISP 100TR & 100TR8Elective
Spanish Language & Culture4HISP 100TR & 100TR
HISP 200TR
12Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Spanish Language & Culture5HISP 100TR & 100TR
HISP 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Spanish Literature & Culture3, 4 or 5HISP 100TR4Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
Spanish Literature & Culture4HISP 100TR & 100TR
HISP 200TR & 200TR
16Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Spanish Literature & Culture5HISP 100TR & 100TR
HISP 200TR & 200TR
HISP 200TR
20Elective
Gen Ed (Exploring Values & World Views)
Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
Statistics3, 4 or 5STAT 2314Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
U.S. History3, 4 or 5HIST 100TR8Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
United States Government and Politics3, 4 or 5POLS 1514Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
World History: Modern3, 4 or 5HIST 100TR8Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)

IB Diploma Chart

If you complete an IB Diploma, you’ll receive the following 32 PLU semester hours of credit.

PLU CoursePLU CreditsCredit Awarded
ARTD 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
ENGL 100TR4Gen Ed (Interpretive Text)
MATH 100TR4Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning) [MATH 151 or MATH 152 awarded if Math Higher Level Exam completed]
NSCI 100TR4Gen Ed (Natural World)
PHIL 100TR4Gen Ed (Exploring Values & Worldviews)
SSCI 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society) [PSYC 101 awarded if Psychology Higher Level Exam completed]
GENR 100TR8Electives

IB Higher Level Exams Chart

PLU credit is awarded for scores of 4 or above on IB Higher Level IB Exams only.

Higher Level IB ExamPLU CoursePLU CreditsCredit Awarded
Analysis & ApproachesMATH 1514Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Applications & InterpretationMATH 151 & 1524-8Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning) [MATH 151 only awarded if not already awarded from Analysis & Approaches Exam]
BiologyBIOL 100TR4Gen Ed (Natural World)
Business ManagementBUSA 100TR4Elective
ChemistryCHEM 100TR4Gen Ed (Natural World)
Classical LanguagesLANG 100TR4Elective
Computer ScienceCSCI 100TR4Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
DanceDANC 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
Design TechnologyNSCI 100TR4Elective
Digital SocietySSCI 100TR4Elective
EconomicsECON 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
FilmCOMA 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
GeographySSCI 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Global PoliticsPOLS 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
HistoryHIST 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Language A: Language & LiteratureENGL 100TR4Gen Ed (Interpretive Text)
Language A: LiteratureENGL 100TR4Gen Ed (Interpretive Text)
Language BLANG100TR4Elective
MusicMUSI 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
PhilosophyPHIL 100TR4Gen Ed (Exploring Values & Worldviews)
PhysicsPHYS 100TR4Gen Ed (Natural World)
PsychologyPSYC 1014Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Social & Cultural AnthropologyANTH 100TR4Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Sports, Exercise & Health ScienceFTWL 1004Gen Ed (Fitness & Wellness)[A second activity course is required to complete the full Fitness & Wellness requirement]
TheatreTHEA 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
Visual ArtsARTD 100TR4Gen Ed (Creative Expression)

CLEP Credits Awarding Chart

CLEP Section TopicCLEP ExamCLEP Exam ScorePLU CoursePLU CreditsCredit Awarded
BusinessFinancial Accounting50BUSA 100TR3Elective
BusinessInformation Systems50CSCI 100TR3Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
BusinessIntroductory Business Law50BUSA 200TR3Elective
BusinessPrinciples of Management50BUSA 100TR3Elective
BusinessPrinciples of Marketing50BUSA 100TR3Elective
Composition and LiteratureAmerican Literature50ENGL 100TR3Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
Composition and LiteratureAnalyzing & Interpreting Literature50ENGL 100TR3Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
Composition and LiteratureCollege Composition50WRIT 100TR6Elective
Composition and LiteratureCollege Composition Modular50WRIT 100TR6Elective
Composition and LiteratureEnglish Literature50ENGL 100TR3Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
Composition and LiteratureHumanities50HUMA 100TR3Gen Ed (Creative Expression)
World LanguagesFrench Language, Level 150FREN 101 & 1026Elective
World LanguagesFrench Language, Level 259FREN 2013Elective
World LanguagesGerman Language, Level 150GERM 101 & 1026Elective
World LanguagesGerman Language, Level 260GERM 2013Elective
World LanguagesSpanish Language, Level 150HISP 101 & 1026Elective
World LanguagesSpanish Language, Level 263HISP 2013Elective
World LanguagesSpanish with Writing, Level 150HISP 101 & 1026Elective
World LanguagesSpanish with Writing, Level 265HISP 201 & 2026Elective
History and Social SciencesAmerican Government50POLS 1513Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesHistory of the US I: Early Colonization to 187750HIST 100TR3Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesHistory of the US II: 1865 to Present50HIST 100TR3Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesHuman Growth & Development50PSYC 200TR3Elective
History and Social SciencesIntroduction to Educational Psychology50ESPY 100TR3Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesIntroductory Psychology50PSYC 1013Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesIntroductory Sociology50SOCI 1013Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesPrinciples of Macroeconomics50ECON 1023Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesPrinciples of Microeconomics50ECON 1013Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesSocial Sciences and History50SSCI 100TR6Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
History and Social SciencesWestern Civilization I:Ancient Near East to 164850HIST 1073Gen Ed (Interpreting Text)
History and Social SciencesWestern Civilization II:1648 to the Present50HIST 1083Gen Ed (Examining Self & Society)
Science and MathematicsBiology50BIOL 100TR6Elective
Science and MathematicsCalculus50MATH 100TR3Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Science and MathematicsChemistry50CHEM 100TR6Elective
Science and MathematicsCollege Algebra50MATH 100TR3Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Science and MathematicsCollege Mathematics50MATH 100TR6Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)
Science and MathematicsNatural Sciences50NSCI 100TR6Elective
Science and MathematicsPrecalculus50MATH 1403Gen Ed (Quantitative Reasoning)