Advanced Placement
Boston College reserves the right to reevaluate and update the following policies at any time.
There are a number of ways to earn advanced placement units at Boston College including qualifying scores on College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams, International Baccalaureate exams, British A Level exams, French Baccalaureate exams, as well as results from the German Abitur, and the Swiss Maturité and Italian Maturità. Official results from all testing should be sent to the Office of Transfer Admission for evaluation. Qualifying scores will be assigned advanced placement units as outlined briefly below.
Boston College participates in the Advanced Placement program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Applicants interested in advanced placement should make arrangements to take the Advanced Placement Examinations given by the College Board in May of each year.
The following table displays Boston College's current Advanced Placement policy. Boston College reserves the right to change this policy, as is determined by campus administrators. In general, a student scoring four or five on the exams will be awarded advanced placement. In some instances, a score of three will make a student eligible for advanced placement. In most cases, students do not earn actual credit, rather, they fulfill corresponding requirements in the Core Curriculum. Students who have taken multiple AP examinations and have earned the equivalent of 8 or more Boston College courses may apply for advanced standing. If granted, credit for these courses would be applied to the student's transcript, accelerating his/her date of graduation by one year. Students, therefore, who accept this option would graduate in three years.
A score of three or better in any foreign language exam (excluding Greek and Latin) will serve as a demonstration of intermediate level proficiency in that language and will satisfy the language requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wallace E. Carroll School of Management.
| Advanced Placement Exam | Exam Score Minimum | Advanced Placement Units | Requirements Fulfilled* |
| Art History | 4 |
3 |
Fine Arts Core |
| Biology | 4 | 6 | 2 Natural Science Core |
| Calculus AB (or AB subscore) | 4 |
3 |
1 Math Core |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 6 | 1 Math Core/1 Math Elective |
| Chemistry | 4 | 6 | 2 Natural Science Core |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | 2 Slavic Language Electives & Language Proficiency, Demonstrates Language Proficiency |
| Computer Science (AB or A) | 4 |
3 |
1 Computer Science Elective. Must consult with the department to determine if any placement toward major is appropriate. |
| Economics (Micro) | 4 | 3 | 1 Social Science Core (except LSOE) |
| Economics (Macro) | 4 | 3 | 1 Social Science Core (except LSOE) |
| English Language | 4 |
3 |
Writing Core |
| English Literature | 4 | 3 | Literature Core |
| Environmental Science | 4 | 3 | 1 Natural Science Core |
| European History | 4 |
6 |
Modern History Core I and II |
| French Language/Literature | 3 |
0 |
Demonstrates Language Proficiency 2 Romance Language Electives and Langauge Proficency |
| German | 3 |
0 |
Demonstrates Language Proficiency 2 German Language Electives and Langauge Proficency |
| U.S. Government and Politics | 4 |
3 |
1 Social Science Core (A&S or CSON only) |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 4 | 3 | 1 Social Science Core (A&S or CSON only) |
| Human Geography | N/A | N/A | No BC equivalent |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 |
0 |
Demonstrates Language Proficiency 2 Romance Language Electives and Langauge Proficency |
| Latin: Vergil/Literature | 4 | 6 | 2 Classical Language Electives and Language Proficiency |
| Music Theory | 5 | 3 | 1 Fine Arts Core |
| Physics B | 4 |
6 |
2 Natural Science Core |
Physics C Mechanics Physics C E+M |
4 4 |
3 3 |
Natural Science Core Natural Sciecne Core |
| Psychology | 4 | 3 | 1 Social Science Core |
| Spanish Language/Literature | 3 |
0 |
Demonstrates Language Proficiency 2 Romance Language Electives and Langauge Proficency |
| Statistics | 5 |
3 |
Fulfills Statistics Requirement (CSOM Only) |
| Studio Art | 4 | 3 | 1 Fine Arts Core |
| U.S. History | 4 | 3 | 2 History Elective |
| World History | 4 |
6 |
Modern History Core I and II |
* Advanced placement elective units can not be used to fulfill the four Arts & Sciences electives required for CSOM. They can, however, count toward the 24 units required to be eligible to apply for advanced standing. Electives do not count toward the degree in any other scenario because Advanced Placement Units are generally used for placement only — not credit.
Each score of 6 or 7 on Higher Level exams will earn advanced placement units and will generally satsify a core requirement. Please reference the table below for specific exams.
| Arts | |||
| IB Exam | Exam Score | Advanced Placement Units | Requirements Fulfilled* |
| Dance | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Film | 6/7 | 3 | Fine Arts Core |
| Music | 6/7 | 3 | Fine Arts Core |
| Theatre | 6/7 | 3 | Fine Arts Core |
| Visual Arts | 6/7 | 3 | Fine Arts Core |
| Individuals and Societies | |||
| IB Exam | Exam Score | Advanced Placement Units | Requirements Fulfilled* |
| Business and Management | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Economics | 6/7 | 6 | 2 Social Science Core (Micro/Macro Econ.) except in LSOE |
| Geography | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Global Politics | 6/7 | 3 | 1 Social Science Core except in CSOM and LSOE |
| History of the Americas | 6/7 | 6 | Modern History Core I and II |
| History of Europe | 6/7 | 6 | Modern History Core I and II |
| Islamic History | 6/7 | 3 | No Core; History Elective |
| Philosophy | 6/7 | 3 | 1 Philosophy Core |
| Psychology | 6/7 | 3 | No Core; 1 Psychology Elective |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | 6/7 | 3 | 1 Social Science Core |
| World Religion | 6/7 | 3 | 1 Theology Core |
| Experimental Sciences | |||
| IB Exam | Exam Score | Advanced Placement Units | Requirements Fulfilled* |
| Biology | 6/7 | 6 | 2 Natural Science Core |
| Chemistry | 6/7 | 6 | 2 Natural Science Core |
| Design Technology | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Environmental Systems | 6/7 | 3 | 1 Natural Science Core |
| Physics | 6/7 | 6 | 2 Natural Science Core |
| Math and Computer Science | |||
| IB Exam | Exam Score | Advanced Placement Units | Requirements Fulfilled* |
| Computer Science | 6/7 | 3 | 1 Computer Science Elective** |
| Mathematics | 6/7 | 3 | 1 Math Core |
| Language | |||
| IB Exam | Exam Score | Advanced Placement Units | Requirements Fulfilled* |
| English | 6/7 | 6 | 1 Writing Core/1 Literature Core |
| Foreign Language | 6/7 | 6 | A&S/CSOM Language Proficiency |
| Modern Classical Language | 6/7 | 6 | A&S/CSOM Language Proficiency |
| A Level Exam | Exam Score | Advanced Placement Units | Requirements Fulfilled* |
| Accounting | A/B/C
|
N/A |
N/A |
| Ancient History | A/B/C | 3 | Modern History Core I and II |
| Art and Design | A/B/C |
N/A |
N/A |
| Art History | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Fine Art Core |
| Art (Fine Art) | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Fine Art Core |
| Astronomy | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Natural Science Core |
| Biology | A/B |
6 |
N/A |
| Business and Communication Systems | A/B/C | N/A | N/A |
| Business Management | A/B/C | N/A | N/A |
| Chemistry | A/B |
6 |
2 Natural Science Core |
| Communication Studies | A/B/C | N/A | N/A |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Fine Art Core |
| Economics | A/B |
6 |
2 Social Science Core (except LSOE) |
| English Language | A/B/C | 3 | Writing Core Only |
| English Literature | A/B/C | 3 | Literature Core Only |
| Environmental Studies | A/B |
6 |
2 Natural Science Core |
| Film Studies | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Fine Art Core |
| Geography | A/B/C | N/A | N/A |
| History | A/B/C | 6 | Modern History Core I and II |
| Islamic Studies | A/B/C | N/A | N/A |
| Languages other than English | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Foreign Language elective/Language proficiency |
| Maths | A/B |
6 3 |
1 Math Core/1 Math Elective |
| Music | A/B/C | N/A | N/A |
| Philosophy | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Philosophy Core |
| Photography | A/B/C | N/A | N/A |
| Physics | A/B |
6 |
2 Natural Science Core |
| Psychology | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Psychology Core |
| Religious Studies | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Theology Core |
| Statistics | A/B |
6 |
1 Statistics CSOM Core |
| Theatre Studies | A/B/C | 3 | 1 Fine Art Core |
FRENCH BACCALAUREATE
For all subjects with a coefficient of 5 or higher, advanced placement units will be assigned as follows:
- 6 units for scores of 13 or higher
- 3 units for scores of 10–12
- Scores below 10 do not qualify.
Units may be used to fulfill corresponding core or major requirements.
No advanced placement units will be awarded for English.
Italian Maturita
For students who earn an exam score of 70 or higher on the final exam: advanced placement units will be awarded only for subjects in which the written exam was taken (no placement for oral exams) and the average score for the final exam over the last two yeasr is 7 or higher. No advanced placement can be earned for English.
German Abitur
Placement will be considered for the four subjects score in Abitur final exams. For two subjects listed as "main subject", scores of 10 or higher will earn 6 advanced placement units in corresponding subject areas. For two additional "basic course" with scores of 10 or higher, 3 advanced placment units will be earned in corresponding subject areas. No advanced placement units can be earned for English.
SWISS MATURITE
Advanced placement units can be earned for exam scores of 4 or better. No advanced placement units can be earned for English.
COLLEGE COURSES TAKEN DURING HIGH SCHOOL
Advanced placement units can be earned for college courses taken during high school according to the following guidelines.
Courses Taken at a High School:
Students enrolled in courses designated as “college courses” that are taken at the high school with a high school teacher may only earn advanced placement units if corresponding College Board AP exams are taken and qualifying scores are earned. A college transcript alone can not be used to earn advanced placement units for these courses.
Courses Taken on a College Campus:
College coursework taken on a college campus with a college professor and with other college students either during the academic year or over the summer may be evaluated for advanced placement units. Only courses that are deemed equal in depth and breadth to coursework taught at Boston College and are being used to supplement high school coursework (and not to fulfill high school requirements) will be considered.
Each 3- or 4-credit course with a grade of B or better will earn 3 advanced placement units. College transcripts for these courses should be submitted to the Office of Transfer Admission by August 1. Students who enroll at a local college to satisfy high school graduation requirements are not eligible for advanced placement units unless they take the corresponding College Board AP exams and earn qualifying scores.
ADVANCED STANDING — GRADUATING IN THREE YEARS
Students earning 24 advanced placement units (equivalent to 8 courses) through any of the aforementioned methods are eligible to apply for advanced standing. If granted, credit for these courses would be applied to the student's transcript, accelerating his/her date of graduation by one year. Students, therefore, who accept this option must graduate in three years.
PLEASE NOTE: Boston College reserves the right to change these policies at any time, and without notice.