Alternative Credit Options

Advanced Placement Tests

High school students who enroll in El Camino College may petition for college credit based on high school Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Credit will be given for the following courses if the student has taken the appropriate Advanced Placement Test and received a score of 3, 4 or 5. (No credit will be given for a score of 1 or 2.) The maximum number of units granted toward the associate degree will be 15.

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year university must check the institution’s AP credit policies in their catalog or the institution’s website, or consult an El Camino College academic counselor for unit and credit information for general education and major preparation.

Course credit and units granted at El Camino College may differ from course and unit credit granted by the transfer institution.

Art Examination (History of Art):

ART 102A  (3 units)
ART 102B  (3 units)

Biology Examination:

BIOL 10  (4 units)

Chemistry Examination:

CHEM 1A  (5 units)

Note: The student must have a score of 4 or 5 and provide a laboratory portfolio to the Dean of Natural Sciences for evaluation for credit.

Computer Science Examination:

CSCI 3   (4 units) - Score 4 or 5 on Computer Science A Examination, or 3 or 4 on AB Examination
CSCI 1  and CSCI 2  (9 units) - Score of 5 on Computer Science AB Examination

Economics Examination (Macroeconomics):

ECON 1  (3 units)

Economics Examination (Microeconomics):

ECON 2  (3 units)

English Examination (Language and Composition):

ENGL 1A   (4 units) - Score of 3 or 4
ENGL 1A  and ENGL 1B  (7 units) - Score of 5

English Examination (Literature and Composition):

ENGL 1A  (4 units) or
ENGL 1B  (3 units) - Score of 3 or 4
ENGL 1A  and ENGL 1B  (7 units) - Score of 5

Foreign Language Examination:

Two consecutive courses for a total of 8 units

Government and Politics Examination (American and California):

POLI 1  (3 units)

Government and Politics Examination (Comparative):

POLI 2  (3 units)

History Examination (American and World History):

HIST 101 -HIST 102  (6 units)
HIST 140  (3 units)

Mathematics Examination:

MATH 150  (4 units) - Score of 4 or 5 on Statistics Examination
MATH 190  (5 units) - Score of 4 or 5 on Calculus AB Examination
MATH 190  (5 units) - Score of 3 on Calculus BC Examination
MATH 190  & MATH 191  (10 units) - Score of 4 or 5 on Calculus BC Examination

Note: Students who score a 3 or better on the Statistics AP exam, the Calculus AB exam, or the Calculus BC exam have met the math competency for the associate degree, IGETC (Area 2) and CSU General Education (Area B4) mathematics requirements.

Physics Examination:

PHYS 2A  (4 units) - Score of 5 on Physics B Examination
PHYS 1A  (4 units) - Score of 5 on Physics C Examination

Psychology Examination:

PSYC 5  (3 units)

For further information about and petitions for advanced placement tests, contact an evaluations specialist in the Admissions Office.

Acceptance of Credit

Credits earned at other colleges, which are accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies are customarily accepted for transfer to El Camino College on receipt of an official transcript of record.

Students submitting transcripts from other colleges for the purpose of receiving a degree or certificate from El Camino College must submit an official college-to-college transcript. Transcripts delivered by students will not be considered for degree or certificate purposes.

Appropriate college-level United States Armed Forces courses also may be accepted for credit.

Credit for Military Service

The experience of the veteran will be reviewed and any appropriate credit granted. Once El Camino College reviews and awards credit, it will become part of the veteran’s permanent record. Credit will be awarded after completion of one semester of attendance at El Camino College.

A copy of the veteran’s separation document (form DD 214) or discharge paper (including the side showing dates of induction and separation) must be on file. No credit is approved for the six-month Reserve program. Credit for military service is given according to length of service as follows:

• 90 days to 1 year: CH 1  (3 units); Elective Credit (2 units)
• 1-2 years: CH 1  (3 units); Elective Credit (4 units)
• 2 years or more: Contemporary Health 1 (3 units); Elective Credit (6 units)

Note: Veterans enrolling in CH 1  will not be paid educational benefits for this course.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit will be accepted when it is included on the American Council on Education (ACE) transcript.

High School Equivalents

Many courses and curricula offered at El Camino College are based on the supposition that the student has completed the specific high school courses generally included in the college preparatory program. If the student has not met the prerequisite to a course, the individual should complete the equivalent El Camino College course indicated here:

El Camino College Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests with scores of 3, 4, or 5 can be used to meet IGETC, CSU GE, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science General Education (GE), and/or Associate Degree major requirements.

Course credit and units granted at El Camino College may differ from course credit and units granted by a transfer institution.

Please check with the four-year transfer institution’s AP credit policies in their catalog or on their website, or consult an El Camino College academic counselor for unit and course credit for major preparation.

AA/AS: Students with a score of 3 or better may use the AP exam for general education credit in the appropriate area; however, credit for a specific course to meet major requirements for the AA or AS degree, will need to follow the course equivalent outlined by the academic department.  A student who receives AP credit and then takes the equivalent ECC course will have the unit credit for such duplication deducted prior to being awarded the AA/AS degree. Credit by Advanced Placement exam is noted and listed on a student’s transcript, with units assigned and no grade. A maximum of 15 units of AP credit can be applied to the associate degree.

CSU GE: The Advanced Placement examinations may be incorporated into the certification of CSU General Education-Breath requirements by any certifying institution. All CSU campuses will accept the minimum units shown and apply them toward fulfillment of the designated General Education-Breath area if the examination is included as part of a full or subject-area certification.  Please note that individual CSU campuses may choose to grant more units than those specified toward completion of General Education- Breath and major requirements.

IGETC: AP exams must be used in area indicated regardless of where the certifying CCC’s discipline is located.

TRANSFER: Students may use AP exams for transfer units and major requirements; however, the student must consult with a counselor and the four year institution’s college catalog or AP credit policies. Course credit varies by campus.