Students may be eligible to receive advanced placement or college credit by taking examinations available nationally. Students take these tests to determine their level of competence in certain subject areas.
Review your credit by exam options now, including
- Advanced Placement (AP) Program;
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Program;
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP); and
- DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
Note:
- Students may receive credit by examination if they have not previously registered for the course in question at Grand Valley or elsewhere.
- The credits will count toward graduation but will not be used in computing the grade point average.
- The maximum number of credits by examination (AP, IB, and CLEP – combined) that students may apply toward the baccalaureate is 32 hours. There is no limit to DSST credits.
- Refer to the GVSU Catalog for the most current catalog information.
Equivalency applies beginning April 2023.
Note: minimum scores and equivalencies are subject to change.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
The Advanced Placement (AP) program, a service of the College Board, allows students to earn college credits while they are still in high school.
Grand Valley State University will grant credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP tests. In order to receive credit, the student must request that the College Board send score reports to the university. When Grand Valley receives the AP scores (usually in early July), students who have earned the appropriate score will be awarded credit. Each student who earns credit will receive an evaluation indicating the credit awarded.
GVSU AP school code: 1258
|
Advanced Placement Exam |
Passing Score |
GVSU Equivalency |
Credits and General Education Requirement Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
|
African American Studies |
3, 4, or 5 |
AAA 201 |
3 (Foundations - Social and Behavioral Sciences and Cultures - U.S. Diversity) |
|
AP Research |
3, 4, or 5 |
IDS 180 |
3 |
|
AP Seminar |
3, 4, or 5 |
IDS 180 |
3 |
|
AP Drawing |
3, 4 or 5 |
ART 155 |
3 (Arts) |
|
AP 2-D Art and Design |
3, 4, or 5 |
ART 150 |
3 (Arts) |
|
AP 3-D Art and Design |
3, 4 or 5 |
ART 151 |
3 (Arts) |
|
Art - History |
3, 4, or 5 |
ART 101 |
3 (Arts) |
|
Biology |
3 |
BIO 120 |
4 (Life Sciences with a lab) |
|
Biology |
4 or 5 |
BIO 120 & 121 |
8 (Life Sciences with a lab) |
|
Calculus AB |
3, 4, or 5 |
MTH 201 |
4 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Calculus BC |
3, 4, or 5 |
MTH 201 & 202 |
8 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Calculus BC |
Less than 3 and AB subscore of 3 or higher |
MTH 201 |
4 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Chemistry |
3 |
CHM 109 |
4 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Chemistry |
4 |
CHM 115 |
4 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Chemistry |
5 |
CHM 115 & 116 with review of lab notebook |
9 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Chinese Language and Culture |
3 |
CHI 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
Chinese Language and Culture |
4 |
CHI 101, 102, & 201 |
12 |
|
Chinese Language and Culture |
5 |
CHI 101, 102, 201, & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
Computer Science A |
3, 4, or 5 |
CIS 162 |
4 |
|
Computer Science Principles |
3, 4, or 5 |
CIS 101 |
3 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Economics: Macro |
3, 4, or 5 |
ECO 210 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Economics: Micro |
3, 4, or 5 |
ECO 211 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
English Literature and Composition |
3, 4, or 5 |
WRT 150 |
4 (Writing) |
|
English Language and Composition |
3, 4, or 5 |
WRT 150 |
4 (Writing) |
|
English Literature and Composition & English Language and Composition |
≥3 on both exams, 3 or 4 as highest score |
WRT 150 and ENG 100 |
7 (Writing) |
|
English Literature and Composition & English Language and Composition |
≥3 on both exams, 5 as highest score |
WRT 150 and ENG 105 |
7 (Writing and Philosophy & Literature) |
|
Environmental Science |
3, 4, or 5 |
BIO 105 |
3 (Life Sciences) |
|
French Language and Culture |
3 |
FRE 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
French Language and Culture |
4 |
FRE 101, 102, & 201 |
12 |
|
French Language and Culture |
5 |
FRE 101, 102, 201, & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
German Language and Culture |
3 |
GER 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
German Language and Culture |
4 |
GER 101, 102, & 201 |
12 |
|
German Language and Culture |
5 |
GER 101, 102, 201, & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
Government & Politics: Comparative |
3, 4, or 5 |
PLS 103 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Perspectives) |
|
Government & Politics: U.S. Government |
3, 4, or 5 |
PLS 102 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
History: European |
3, 4, or 5 |
HST 102 |
3 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
|
History: U.S. |
3 |
HST 103 |
3 (Historical Analysis, U.S. Diversity) |
|
History: U.S. |
4 or 5 |
HST 205 & 206 |
6 (Historical Analysis, U.S. Diversity) |
|
Human Geography |
3, 4, or 5 |
GPY 220 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Italian Language and Culture |
3 |
ITA 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
Italian Language and Culture |
4 |
ITA 101, 102, & 201 |
12 |
|
Italian Language and Culture |
5 |
ITA 101, 102. 201, & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
Japanese Language and Culture |
3 |
JPN 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
Japanese Language and Culture |
4 |
JPN 101, 102, & 201 |
12 |
|
Japanese Language and Culture |
5 |
JPN 101, 102, 201, & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
Latin |
3 |
Latin general credit |
3 |
|
Latin |
4 or 5 |
LAT 201 |
4 |
|
Music: Theory |
3, 4, or 5 |
MUS 130 |
3 (Arts) |
|
Precalculus |
3, 4, or 5 |
MTH 124 |
5 (Foundations - Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Physics 1 |
3 |
PHY general credit |
4 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics 1 |
4 or 5 |
PHY 220 |
5 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics 2 |
3 |
PHY general credit |
4 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics 2 |
4 or 5 |
PHY 221 |
5 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics 1 and Physics 2 |
3 on both exams |
PHY general credit |
5 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics 1 and Physics 2 |
Physics 1 score of 3, 4, or 5; Physics 2 score of 4 or 5 |
PHY 220 and PHY 221 |
10 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics C: Mechanics |
3 |
PHY general credit |
4 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics C: Mechanics |
4 or 5 |
PHY 230 |
5 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
3 on either exam |
PHY general credit |
5 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
4 or 5 on both exams |
PHY 230 & PHY general credit |
8 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Physics 2, Physics C: Mechanics, and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
4 or 5 on all exams |
PHY 230 & 231 |
10 (Physical Sciences with a lab) |
|
Psychology |
3, 4, or 5 |
PSY 101 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Spanish Language and Culture |
4 |
SPA 101, 102, & 201 |
12 |
|
Spanish Language and Culture |
3 |
SPA 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
Spanish Language and Culture |
5 |
SPA 101, 102, 201, & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
Spanish Literature |
3 |
SPA 101, 102, 201, & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
Spanish Literature |
4 or 5 |
SPA 101, 102, 201, 202, 321, & 322) |
22 (Philosophy and Literature, Global Perspectives) |
|
Statistics |
3, 4, or 5 |
STA 215 |
3 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
World History: Modern |
3 |
HST 101 |
3 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
|
World History: Modern |
4 or 5 |
HST 203 & 204 |
6 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
Grand Valley recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and awards academic credit for scores of 4 or higher on all of the Higher Level (HL) examinations. In order to receive IB credit, the student must request from IB that the scores be sent to Grand Valley.
Equivalency Applies Beginning Spring 2023
(Higher Level results only)
GVSU IB school code: 2080
|
International Baccalaureate Exam |
Passing Score |
GVSU Equivalency |
Credits & General Education Requirement Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Biology |
4 |
BIO 120 & 2 credits of general BIO |
6 (Life Sciences) |
|
Business and Management |
4 |
BUS 101 & 3 credits of general BUS |
6 |
|
Chemistry |
4 |
8 credits of general CHM or CHM 115/116 with proof of lab experience (9 credits) |
8 or 9 (Physical Sciences) |
|
Computer Science |
4 |
CIS 150 |
3 |
|
Dance |
4 |
DAN 200 |
3 (Arts) |
|
Economics |
4 |
ECO 210 & 3 credits of general ECO |
6 (3 credits apply towards Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
English A - 1 |
4 |
ENG 103 for Literature and Language or ENG 105 for Literature only |
3 (Philosophy and Literature) |
|
Film |
4 |
CFV 225 |
3 (Arts) |
|
Geography |
4 |
GPY 235 & 324 |
6 (3 credits apply towards Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Perspectives) |
|
Global Politics |
4 |
PLS 211 |
3 |
|
History: Africa and the Middle East |
4 |
6 general HST credits |
6 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
|
History: Americas |
4 |
6 general HST credits |
6 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
|
History: Asia and Oceania |
4 |
6 general HST credits |
6 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
|
History: Europe |
4 |
6 general HST credits |
6 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
|
IT in a Global Society |
4 |
CIS 101 |
3 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Language, All NonEnglish A |
4 |
TBD from GVSU world language placement test |
TBD |
|
Language, All NonEnglish B |
4 |
Awards 8 credits for 101 and 102 level of the language taken |
8 and placement into 201 level |
|
Mathematics |
4 |
MTH 122, 123, & 201 |
10 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Music |
4 |
MUS 130 & 218 |
6 (Arts) |
|
Philosophy |
4 |
PHI 101 & 102 |
6 (Philosophy and Literature) |
|
Physics |
4 |
PHY 220 & 221 |
10 (Physical Sciences) |
|
Psychology |
4 |
PSY 101 & 3 credits of general PSY |
6 (3 credits apply towards Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Social and Cultural Anthropology |
4 |
ANT 204 & 3 credits of general ANT |
6 (3 credits apply towards Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global Perspectives) |
|
Sports, Exercise, and Health Science |
4 |
3 credits EXS general and 3 credits MOV general |
6 |
|
Theatre Arts |
4 |
CTH 101 & 3 credits of general CTH |
6 (Arts) |
|
Visual Arts |
4 |
ART 150 & 155 |
6 (Arts) |
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP is a national program of credit by examination that offers students the opportunity to earn college credits for college-level achievement. Personal reading, on-the-job experience, adult school, or other life experience may prepare students to earn college credit by examination.
• CLEP tests are appropriate for returning adult students, graduating high school seniors, and for currently enrolled college students.
• CLEP credit is applied as two-year college transfer credit.
• Students must earn the last 30 credits toward their degree at Grand Valley; therefore, a student nearing graduation must get a Residency Waiver approved before the exam is taken.
• The student must request that scores be sent to Grand Valley so that credit may be awarded.
• GVSU CLEP school code: 1258
|
College Level Examination Program Exam |
Passing Score |
GVSU Equivalency |
Credits & General Education Requirement Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
|
American Government |
50 |
PLS 102 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
American Literature |
50 |
ENG 225 & 226 |
6 (Philosophy and Literature) |
|
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature |
50 |
ENG general credit |
3 |
|
Calculus |
50 |
MTH 201 |
4 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
College Algebra |
50 |
MTH 122~ |
3 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
College Composition |
50 |
WRT 150* |
4 (Writing) |
|
College Composition Modular |
50 |
WRT 150* |
4 (Writing) |
|
College French Levels 1 & 2 |
50 |
FRE 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
College French Levels 1 & 2 |
62 |
FRE 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
College German Levels 1 & 2 |
50 |
GER 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
College German Levels 1 & 2 |
63 |
GER 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
College Mathematics |
50 |
MTH 131 |
3 |
|
College Spanish Levels 1 & 2 |
50 |
SPA 101 & 102 |
8 |
|
College Spanish Levels 1 & 2 |
63 |
SPA 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
16 (Global Perspectives) |
|
English Literature |
50 |
ENG 220 & 221 |
6 (Philosophy and Literature) |
|
Financial Accounting Principles |
56 |
ACC 212 |
3 |
|
General Biology |
50 |
BIO 120 & 121 |
8 (Life Sciences) |
|
General Chemistry |
50 |
CHM 109 |
4 (Physical Sciences) |
|
General Chemistry |
60 |
CHM 115 |
4 (Physical Sciences) |
|
General Chemistry |
65 |
CHM 115 & 116 with review and approval of lab notebook^ |
9 (Physical Sciences) |
|
History of the U.S. I: Early Colonization until 1877 |
50 |
HST 103 (HST 205 if passing score on optional essay)+ |
3 (Historical Analysis, U.S. Diversity) |
|
History of the U.S. II: 1865 to Present |
50 |
HST 103 (HST 206 if passing score on optional essay)+ |
3 (Historical Analysis, U.S. Diversity) |
|
Human Growth and Development |
50 |
PSY 364 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Humanities |
50 |
General credit |
3 |
|
Information Systems & Computer Applications |
55 |
Business general credit (CIS 150 if proficiency demonstrated through lab component)# |
3 |
|
Introduction to Educational Psychology |
50 |
PSY 325 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Introductory Business Law |
55 |
BUS 201 |
3 |
|
Introductory Psychology |
50 |
PSY 101 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Introductory Sociology |
50 |
SOC 101 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Natural Sciences |
50 |
General credit |
3 |
|
Precalculus |
50 |
MTH 122~ |
3 (Mathematical Sciences) |
|
Principles of Macroeconomics |
52 |
ECO 210 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Principles of Management |
53 |
MGT 331 |
3 |
|
Principles of Marketing |
56 |
MKT 350 |
3 |
|
Principles of Microeconomics |
52 |
ECO 211 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Social Science and History |
50 |
General credit |
3 |
|
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 |
50 |
HST 102 |
3 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
|
Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present |
50 |
HST 102 |
3 (Historical Analysis, Global Perspectives) |
* Portfolio must be submitted to the Writing Department for review after passing multiple-choice test. Students MUST pass both the multiple choice and portfolio requirement to receive credit for WRT 150. For more information: gvsu.edu/s/VD
~ Credit will not be given for both college algebra and precalculus.
^ Must have laboratory notebook reviewed and approved by the chair of the Chemistry Department before CHM 116 credit can be awarded.
+ The optional essay questions are supplied by the Grand Valley History Department and the answers are reviewed by history faculty members. Credit for the 200-level courses will be awarded if a passing score is received on the essay portion. Students MUST pass both the multiple choice and essay portions to receive the 200-level credit.
# For more information, click here: Introduction to Computing
Notes:
Minimum scores and equivalencies are subject to change.
Students may not earn credit for CLEP subject examinations if the student has credit in the course, was previously or currently enrolled in the course at GVSU or elsewhere, or has credit in a higher-level course.
DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
Grand Valley will accept credit for most DSST exams (see below). There is no limit to the number of DSST credits that can be applied.
- DSST credit is applied as two-year college transfer credit.
- Students must earn the last 30 credits toward their degree at Grand Valley; therefore, a student near graduation must get a Residency Waiver approved before the exam is taken.
- GVSU DSST school code: 8866
|
DSST Exam |
Passing Score |
GVSU Equivalency |
Credits & General Education Requirement Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MATH |
|||
|
Fundamentals of College Algebra |
400 |
MTH 110 |
3 |
|
Math for Liberal Arts |
400 |
MTH 131 |
3 (Mathematical Science) |
|
Principles of Statistics |
400 |
STA general credit |
3 |
|
SOCIAL SCIENCES |
|||
|
A History of the Vietnam War |
400 |
HST general credit |
3 |
|
Art of the Western World |
400 |
AH general credit |
3 (Arts) |
|
The Civil War and Reconstruction |
400 |
HST general credit |
3 |
|
Criminal Justice |
400 |
CJ 101 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences) |
|
Foundations of Education |
400 |
no credit |
- |
|
Fundamentals of Counseling |
400 |
PSY 452 |
3 |
|
General Anthropology |
400 |
ANT 204 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences; Global Perspectives) |
|
Human/Cultural Geography |
400 |
GPY general credit |
3 |
|
Introduction to Law Enforcement |
400 |
CJ general credit |
3 |
|
Lifespan Development Psychology |
400 |
PSY 364 |
3 |
|
Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union |
400 |
HST general credit |
3 |
|
Substance Abuse |
400 |
no credit |
- |
|
BUSINESS |
|||
|
Business Ethics and Society |
400 |
MGT 340 |
3 |
|
Business Mathematics |
400 |
no credit |
- |
|
Computing and Information Technology |
400 |
CIS 150 |
3 |
|
Human Resources Management |
400 |
MGT general credit |
3 |
|
Introduction to Business |
400 |
BUS general credit |
3 |
|
Management Information Systems |
400 |
MGT general credit |
3 |
|
Money and Banking |
400 |
ECO general credit |
3 |
|
Organizational Behavior |
400 |
MGT general credit |
3 |
|
Personal Finance |
400 |
FIN 221 |
3 |
|
Principles of Finance |
400 |
FIN general credit |
3 |
|
Principles of Supervision |
400 |
BUS general credit |
3 |
|
PHYSICAL SCIENCE |
|||
|
Astronomy |
400 |
PHY general credit |
3 (Physical Sciences non-lab) |
|
Environment and Humanity |
400 |
BIO 105 |
3 (Life Sciences non-lab) |
|
Health and Human Development |
400 |
BMS 100 |
3 (Life Sciences non-lab) |
|
Principles of Physical Science I |
400 |
NS general credit |
3 (Physical Sciences non-lab) |
|
TECHNOLOGY |
|||
|
Technical Writing |
400 |
AH general credit |
3 |
|
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity |
400 |
CIS 458 |
3 |
|
HUMANITIES |
|||
|
Advanced English Composition |
400 (submit portfolio for review)* |
WRT 150 |
4 (Writing) |
|
Ethics in America |
400 |
PHI 102 |
3 (Philosophy and Literature) |
|
Introduction to World Religions |
400 |
REL 100 |
3 (Social and Behavioral Sciences; Global Perspectives) |
|
Principles of Public Speaking |
400 |
COM 201 |
3 |
* Portfolio must be submitted to the Writing Department for review after passing multiple-choice test. Students MUST pass both the multiple choice and portfolio requirement to receive credit for WRT 150. For more information, click here: CLEP for WRT 150