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. If you’ve scored a three or higher, you can earn credits at the University of Minnesota Rochester (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.
Area/Test |
Score |
Award |
Liberal Education Award |
Art History |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Arts & Humanities Area; Global Perspectives Theme |
Biology |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits in BIOL 2311 |
Biological Sciences/Lab requirement |
Calculus AB |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits in MATH 1171 |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
Calculus BC |
1, 2 and AB subscore of 3, 4, 5 |
4 credits in MATH 1171 |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
|
3 |
4 credits in MATH 1171 |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
|
4, 5 |
8 credits in MATH 1171, 2171 |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
Chemistry |
3 |
4 credits in CHEM elective |
Physical Science/Lab requirement |
|
4, 5 |
4 credits in CHEM elective AND 4 credits in CHEM 2333 (General Chemistry II) |
Physical Science/Lab requirement |
Computer Science A |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits toward degree |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
Computer Science AB |
3, 4, 5 |
6 credits towards degree |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
Economics-Micro |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Social Science Area |
Economics-Macro |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Social Science Area |
English Language and Composition |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits in WRIT 1520 & 1512 |
|
English Literature and Composition |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits in WRIT 1520 & 1512, 3 credits in ENGL 1433 |
Literature Area |
Environmental Science |
3, 4, 5 |
3 credits towards degree |
Biological Science/Lab requirement and Environment Theme |
French Literature |
3, 4, 5 |
3 credits towards degree |
Literature core requirement |
Geography-Human |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Social Science Area; Global Perspectives Theme |
Government and Politics-American |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Social Science Area; Civic Life and Ethics Theme |
Government and Politics-Comparative |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Social Science Area; Global Perspectives Theme |
History-European |
3, 4, 5 |
6 credits towards degree |
Historical Perspectives Area; Global Perspectives Theme |
History-U.S. |
3, 4, 5 |
6 credits towards degree |
Historical Perspectives Area |
Latin (Vergil) |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Literature core requirement |
Latin Literature |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Literature core requirement |
Music Theory |
5 |
5 credits towards degree |
Arts and Humanities Area |
Physics 1 |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Physical Sciences/Lab requirement |
Physics 2 |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits towards degree |
Physical Sciences/Lab requirement |
Physics C (Mechanics) |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits in PHYS 1251 (Physics I) |
Physical Sciences/ Lab requirement; Does not include Technology and Society Theme |
Physics C (Elec/Magnetism) |
3, 4, 5 |
4 credits in PHYS 2251 (Physics II) |
Physical Sciences/Lab Requirement |
Psychology |
4, 5 |
3 credits in PSY 1511 (Psychology) |
Social Science Area |
Spanish Literature |
4, 5 |
3 credits towards degree |
Literature core requirement |
Statistics |
3, 4, 5 |
3 credits in MATH 1161 (Statistics, Bioinformatics, and Discrete Math) |
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. Tests not listed below are not currently accepted for credit or exemption.
Exam |
Score |
Credit Award |
Liberal Education Requirement |
College Mathematics |
60 |
3 credits towards degree |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
Principles of Microeconomics |
60 |
4 credits towards degree |
Social Science Area |
Principles of Macroeconomics |
60 |
4 credits towards degree |
Social Science 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.
Higher-Level Subject |
Grade |
Awards (semester system) |
Liberal Education Award |
Art/Design |
5-7 |
8 credits towards degree |
Arts & Humanities |
Biology |
5-7 |
4 credits towards degree, must take BIOL 2310 |
Biological Sciences/Lab Requirement |
Business Management |
5-7 |
4 credits towards degree |
|
Chemistry |
5-7 |
8 credits towards degree |
Physical Science/Lab Requirement |
Computer Science |
5-7 |
8 credits towards degree |
|
Economics |
5-7 |
8 credits towards degree |
Social Sciences |
English A |
5-7 |
2 credits in WRIT 1520, 2 credits in WRIT 1512, 3 credits in ENGL 1433, 1 ENGL elective credit towards degree |
Literature Area |
History |
5-7 |
8 credits towards degree |
Historical Perspectives Area |
Information Global Technology |
5-7 |
4 credits towards degree |
|
Math |
5-7 |
4 credits in MATH 1171, 4 credits in MATH 2171 |
Mathematical Thinking Area |
Physics |
5-7 |
4 credits in PHYS 1251, 4 credits in PHYS 2251 |
Physical Sciences Area |
Psychology |
5-7 |
3 credits in PSY 1511, 5 credits towards degree |
Social Sciences Area |
Theatre |
5-7 |
8 credits towards degree |
Literature Area & Global Perspectives Theme |