Advanced Standing (AP, IB, A-Level, and Transfer Credit)

Many newly admitted freshman engineers are eligible to receive Advanced Standing Credit from the Swanson School of Engineering because they have taken Advanced Placement, College in High School, or some other type of college courses while in high school. The following are some guidelines regarding the different ways an incoming freshman may earn Pitt credit prior to enrolling.

Advanced Placement (AP)

The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) program allows students to take college-level courses in high school. Students are taught according to a prescribed AP curriculum and at the end of the course, take an Advanced Placement examination which is graded on a 5-point scale. The Swanson School of Engineering accepts a wide array of AP courses for students who achieve high scores on AP exams, including many in the math and science areas.

Approved AP Courses and Scores

Students may receive credit for an unlimited number of math and science AP classes on the approved list, but no more than two of their humanities/social science elective classes may be satisfied through AP or IB (see below).

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate Program is similar to the AP program in that high school students take college-level courses in their high schools and are then examined to assess their mastery of a given subject. Students take written examinations at the end of the IB program, which are marked by external IB examiners. The University of Pittsburgh only awards credit for satisfactory exam scores on High Level (HL) IB exams.

Approved IB Courses and Scores

Students may receive credit for an unlimited number of math and science AP classes on the approved list, but no more than two of their humanities/social science elective classes may be satisfied through IB or AP (see above).

Concurrent Enrollment Programs

Concurrent enrollment programs are programs in which students take college classes for credit taught during the regular school day, in their high schools, by their regular high school teachers. One such example is Pitt's College in High School Program. Students enrolled in such classes will have their college transcripts evaluated by an academic advisor to assess the courses for transfer eligibility. In general, in order to transfer to Pitt, courses must have similar course content to a Pitt course and be offered for an equal number of credits at a semester-calendar institution.

Transfer Credit from Another Institution

From time to time, high school students may choose to take classes at another institution of higher education, such as a local college, university, or community college. These classes will be evaluated by an academic advisor to assess transfer eligibility. In order to transfer to Pitt, courses mush have similar course content to a Pitt course and be offered for an equal number of credits at a semester-calendar institution. No more than three of a student's humanities/social science elective classes may be satisfied through community college credit.

GCE A-Level Exams

The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (GCE A-Levels) are similar to the College Board's AP program, but are administered by an educational agency in Great Britain. A-levels are internationally recognized and are taken by students outside the US for credit at institutions all over the world. To find out if a particular A-Level exam is accepted by the Swanson School, students should speak with their Freshman Engineering Program Advisor.

Students may receive credit for an unlimited number of math and science A-level classes on the approved list, but no more than two of their humanities/social science elective classes may be satisfied through A-levels, IB or AP (see above).