UMR students smiling in the University Square lounge

AP, CLEP, IB and PLTW

Earn your health sciences degree in the heart of the medical world. 

Advanced Placement (AP)

The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers you the chance to begin college-level studies while you are in high school and get a jump start on your U of M education. 

Many high schools offer college-level classes through the AP program. You may also prepare for an AP exam through individual study. AP exams are graded on a five-point scale. For the majority of AP exams, the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) requires a score of  three or higher. Some AP exams require a score of four or higher to earn credits at UMR.

Furthermore, you can use your AP exams to fulfill liberal education requirements. Liberal education requirements are courses or categories of courses that all college students must complete for graduation from UMR. (Note: These requirements should not be confused with high school preparation requirements, which are required for admission to UMR, although AP courses can also satisfy high school preparation requirements.) See the chart below for details.

*Any AP exams not listed below are currently not being awarded for credit by the University of Minnesota Rochester.

Area/Test

Score

Health Science Major Award

Health Professions Major Award

General Education Award

Art History

3,4,5

4 credits toward degree

4 credits toward degree

Arts & Humanities Area; Global Perspectives Theme

Biology

3, 4, 5

4 credits in BIOL 2311

4 credits in BIOL 2311

Biological Sciences Lab Area

Calculus AB

3, 4, 5

4 credits in MATH 1171

4 credits in MATH 1171 AND satisfies  MATH Admissions Req

Mathematical Thinking Area

Calculus BC 

3

4 credits in MATH 1171

4 credits in MATH 1171 AND Satisfies MATH Admissions Req

Mathematical Thinking Area

Calculus BC

4, 5

8 credits in MATH 1171, 2171

8 credits in MATH 1171, 2171 Satisfies MATH Admissions Req

Mathematical Thinking Area

Chemistry

3

4 credits toward degree

4 credits toward degree AND Satisfies CHEM Admissions Req

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Chemistry

4, 5

4 credits toward degree AND 4 credits in CHEM 2335 & 2336

4 credits toward degree AND 4 credits in CHEM 2335 & 2336 AND Satisfies CHEMISTRY Admissions Req 

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Computer Science A

3,4,5

4 credits toward degree 

4 credits toward degree

Mathematical Thinking Area

Computer Science B

3,4,5

4 credits toward degree 

4 credits toward degree

Mathematical Thinking Area

Economics-Micro

3,4,5

4 credits toward degree

4 credits toward degree

Social Sciences Area

Economics-Macro

3,4,5

4 credits toward degree

4 credits toward degree

Social Sciences Area

English Language and Composition

3,4,5

4 credits in WRIT 1501

4 credits in WRIT 1501 AND Satisfies WRITING Admission Req

 

English Literature & Composition

3,4,5

4 credits in WRIT 1501 AND 3 credits in ENGL 1433

4 credits in WRIT 1501 AND 3 credits in ENGL 1433 AND Satisfies WRITING Admission Req 

Literature Area

Environmental Science

3,4,5

3 credits towards degree

3 credits toward degree

Biological Sciences Lab Area AND Environment Theme

French Literature

3,4,5

3 credits towards degree

3 credits toward degree

Literature Area

Geography-Human

3,4,5

6 credits towards degree

6 credits toward degree

Social Sciences Area AND Global Perspectives Theme

Government and Politics-American

3,4,5

4 credits towards degree

4 credits toward degree

Social Sciences Area

Government and Politics-Comparative

3,4,5

4 credits towards degree

4 credits toward degree

Social Sciences Area

History-European

3,4,5

6 credits towards degree

6 credits toward degree

Historical Perspectives Area AND Global Perspectives Theme

History-World

3,4,5

3 credits towards degree

3 credits toward degree

Historical Perspectives Area AND Global Perspectives Theme

History-U.S.

3,4,5

6 credits towards  degree

6 credits towards degree

Historical Perspectives Area 

Latin (Vergil)

3,4,5

4 credits towards degree

4 credits toward degree

Literature Area

Latin Literature

3,4,5

4 credits towards degree

4 credits toward degree

Literature Area

Music Theory

5

5 credits towards degree

5 credits towards degree

Arts & Humanities Area

Physics I

3,4,5

4 credits towards degree

Satisfies PHYSICS Admission Req

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Physics 

3,4,5

4 credits towards degree

4 credits towards degree

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Physics C (Mechanics)

3,4,5

4 credits in PHYS 1251

4 credits in PHYS 1251 AND Satisfies PHYSICS Admission Req

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Physics C (Elec/Magnetism)

3,4,5

4 credits in PHYS 2251

4 credits in PHYS 2251

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Psychology

4,5

3 credits in PSY 1511

3 credits in PSY 1511 AND Satisfies PSYCHOLOGY Admission Req.

Social Sciences Area

Spanish Literature

4,5

3 credits towards degree

3 credits towards degree

Literature Area

Statistics 

3,4,5

3 credits in MATH 1161

3 credits in MATH 1161 AND Satisfies STATISTICS Admission Req

Mathematical Thinking Area

 

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) enables students of any age to take exams on a variety of college-level topics. The University of Minnesota Rochester offers college credit for certain CLEP exams. The guide below tells you which CLEP tests are accepted by UMR, for credit toward your degree. Tests not listed below are not currently accepted for credit or exemption.

*Any IB exams not listed below are currently not being awarded for credit by the University of Minnesota Rochester.

Exam

Score

Health Science Major Award

Health Professions Major Award

General Education Award

College Mathematics

60

3 credits towards degree

3 credits towards degree

Mathematical Thinking Area

Principles of Microeconomics

60

4 credits towards degree

4 credits towards degree

Social Sciences Area

Principles of Macroeconomics

60

4 credits towards degree

4 credits towards degree

Social Sciences Area

 

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Some high schools offer courses through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Students in IB programs receive eight semester credits at the University of Minnesota Rochester for each higher-level subject passed with a grade of five or higher. Specific credit awards for each higher-level subject are outlined below.

*Any IB exams not listed below are currently not being awarded for credit by the University of Minnesota Rochester.

Higer Level

Grade

Health Science Major Award

Health Professions Major Award

General Education Award

Art/Design

5-7

8 credits towards degree

8 credits towards degree

Arts & Humanities Area

Biology

5-7

4 credits in BIOL 2311

4 credits in BIOL 2311

Biological Sciences Lab Area

Business Management

5-7

4 credits towards degree

4 credits towards degree

 

Chemistry

5-7

4 credits towards degree AND 4 credits in CHEM 2335 & 2336

4 credits towards degree AND 4 credits in CHEM 2335 & 2336 AND Satisfies CHEMISTRY Admissions Req

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Computer Science

5-7

8 credits towards degree

8 credits towards degree

 

Economics

5-7

8 credits towards degree

8 credits towards degree

Social Sciences Area

English Language & Literature

5-7

4 credits in WRIT 1501, 3 credits in ENGL 1433, 1 credit towards degree

4 credits in WRIT 1501, 3 credits in ENGL 1433, 1 credit towards degree AND Satisfies WRITING Admission Req

 

History 

5-7

8 credits towards degree

8 credits towards degree

Historical Perspectives Area

Information Global Technology

5-7

4 credits towards degree

4 credits towards degree

 

Math

5-7

4 credits in MATH 1171, 4 credits in MATH 2171

4 credits in MATH 1171, 4 credits in MATH 2171 AND Satisfies MATH Admission Req

Mathematical Thinking Area

Physics

5-7

4 credits in PHYS 1251, 4 credits in PHYS 2251

4 credits in PHYS 1251, 4 credits in PHYS 2251 AND Satisfies PHYSICS Admissions Requirement

Physical Sciences Lab Area

Psychology

5-7

3 credits in PSY 1511, 5 credits towards degree

3 credits in PSY 1511, 5 credits towards degree AND Satisfies PSYCHOLOGY Admission Req

Social Sciences Area

Theatre

5-7

8 credits towards degree

8 credits towards degree

Literature Area AND Global Perspectives Theme

 

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW includes engaging, hands-on classroom environments that empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills.

The University of Minnesota Rochester offers college credit for PLTW Biomedical Science courses. The guide below tells you which PLTW courses are accepted by UMR, for credit toward your degree. Courses not listed below are not currently accepted for credit or exemption.

Students who successfully complete all four PLTW Biomedical Science courses (Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, Biomedical Innovation) with an 85% or better and a 4 or higher on final exams will receive 6 semester credits. To earn six UMR credits for four PLTW Biomedical Science course, students must complete  the  PLTW Request for University Credit form.  

 

 

Course

Score

Health Science Major Award

Health Professions Major Award

Biomedical Sciences (must complete all four): Principles of Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, Biomedical Innovation

85% or better and a 4 or higher on final exams

6 credits towards degree

6 credits towards degree