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AP, IB and College Credit

Bring AP, IB, A-Level and Transfer Credit to Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University grants credit in many fields based on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and A-Level scores. In most cases, you also can apply transfer credits from other accredited institutions.

AP, IB and A-Level Exams

Except as noted, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and A-Level credit can replace specific courses for purposes of general education, and major or minor requirements.

Credit will be posted on your record upon admission and as we receive it. If, after admission to CWRU, you complete a course for which you received credit/exemption on the basis of AP, IB or A-Level examinations, the credit/exemption for that course will be forfeited and will not count toward graduation requirements.

The policies regarding the awarding of credit for Advanced Placement Examinations of The College Board and/or International Baccalaureate Examinations are reviewed annually by departments and are subject to change. The following information will apply to students who matriculate at CWRU for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Advanced Placement Score Equivalences, Exemptions and Placements

International Baccalaureate Score Equivalences, Exemptions and Placements

College Credit

Once you've been admitted to Case Western Reserve University and we've received your final transcript and course descriptions of the college-level work you have successfully completed, the Office of Undergraduate Advising Support will evaluate your transfer credits.

Credit can be awarded for courses:

  • Equivalent to courses offered by CWRU
  • Completed with a grade of C or better
  • Taken at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or technical institute

CWRU does not grant credit for college courses that were used to meet high school graduation requirements or that repeat courses completed in high school.

Cleveland-Area Community College Credit

Students applying for transfer admission from Cleveland-area community colleges should review the appropriate transfer credit guides.

Credit Evaluation

Shortly after being admitted, students will receive a preliminary transfer credit evaluation. This will indicate which courses taken at other institutions will transfer to CWRU, and how they match up with CWRU courses. It will include pending credit for any courses in which you are currently enrolled. Credit will be awarded for courses equivalent to those offered by CWRU and completed with a grade of C or better.

Once you've finished your first term at CWRU, you will send complete and official transcripts for all your college work for an official credit transfer. CWRU advisors will then be able to work with you to schedule appropriate courses given your transfer credit and academic goals.

The awarding of transfer credit for work done at institutions outside the United States is subject to departmental evaluation and to the recommendations of the National Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Credentials.

English Competency Credit

Transfer students who have completed the English Composition/Expository Writing requirement with a grade of C or higher at their previous institution will receive transfer credit for an Academic Inquiry Seminar (AIQS 100) at CWRU.

Nursing Credit

You may apply for transfer admission for any term (fall, spring or summer). If you're transferring into the second year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you must be able to transfer a minimum of 20 credit hours, including equivalents to the following CWRU courses:

  • BIOL 114
  • CHEM 119
  • BIOL 116 and BIOL 117 (Anatomy & Physiology I and II)
  • Academic Inquiry Seminar (AIQS)

Nursing transfer students also require additional credits beyond the courses listed above to attain second-year status. Equivalents to the following CWRU courses are recommended but not required:

  • SOCI 203 (Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan)
  • NURS 342 (Medical Microbiology)
  • NURS 201 (Nutrition)
  • STAT 201 (Basic Statistics)

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