AP Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit

What is transfer credit?

Being awarded transfer credit means you will receive university-level credit for AP work completed in high school. Transfer credit can allow for free time in your university course schedule and help save money.

How will transfer credit show on my transcript?

Transfer credit is awarded either for a specific class (e.g., MATH 114) or an unspecified 100-level class (e.g., MATH 100-level).

If you are awarded transfer credit, you will not be assigned a specific grade for that course nor will an AP grade appear on your U of A transcript. Your transcript will simply reflect credit already achieved towards your degree. For example, transfer credit earned for AP Calculus will show as 3 units MATH units towards a U of A degree.

If you are eligible for a transfer credit, your AP transcript will be automatically assessed and the credit will appear in Bear Tracks.

Will transfer credit affect admission to professional programs?

You may meet professional program prerequisites with your AP coursework, including Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science and Radiation Therapy. If you accept transfer credit for a course, the AP grade will be converted to its equivalent on the four-point scale to calculate the prerequisite average. An AP grade of 5 is equal to 4.0 (A or A+), while an AP grade of 4 is equal to 3.7 (A-). It is recommended that you inquire with the professional program directly to see what the implications of transfer credit are.

Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure your timetable accurately reflects your transfer credit and that you are registered in the proper higher-level course.

Declining Transfer Credit

While we encourage you to retain the transfer credit you have earned, you do have the option to decline it at the time of admission. You are responsible for initiating the process to decline transfer credit and can do so on a course-by-course basis.

Things to Consider

• If you decline your transfer credit, it cannot be reinstated at any point during your university career.
• By accepting transfer credit, you may end up with a lighter course load, which can affect your eligibility for certain programs and scholarships. Check the eligibility details for your program or scholarship(s) of interest for more details.
• The Faculty of Engineering does not grant the same transfer credit as other faculties.
  • The faculty recommends declining all transfer credit for first-year courses.
  • If you accept transfer credit and have a Light Load Adjustment, it will lower your ranking for entry into second-year engineering programs. You will therefore need to fill your schedule with higher-level, second-year courses to maintain a full course load. The faculty does not recommend taking second-year courses in the first year, as students are aiming to get the best GPA possible for the discipline selection process.
  • AP courses do not cover the same applications as the first-year engineering courses, therefore you will end up missing a large amount of information relevant to Engineering students.
  • For courses that are not Math or Chemistry, the Faculty of Engineering can award credit for complementary studies elective courses. Credit(s) for complementary studies elective(s) are awarded after admission to discipline for second year.
  • For more information, contact engginfo@ualberta.ca or book a faculty-specific advising session to discuss declining transfer credit further at uab.ca/advising.

How to Decline Transfer Credit

1. Send in your official AP transcripts by the add/drop deadline indicated in the University Calendar by requesting them from the AP College Board. You must send in your official AP transcripts, even if you plan on declining transfer credit.
2. Check Bear Tracks to see what credit you have earned. Transfer credit assessments happen over the summer and are typically posted late August/early September.
3. Download the Decline AP Transfer Credit Form and return it to the Student Service Centre by the date below. The deadline is firm for all credit posted on documents received by the document deadline.
   • September 1 (if admitted to Fall Term)
   • January 1 (if admitted to Winter Term)
   • May 1 (if admitted to Spring/Summer Term)
4. Make sure to not retake a course for which you have earned transfer credit. If you do wish to retake a course, you must first decline your transfer credit.
5. Check for your revised transfer credit report in Bear Tracks approximately 14 business days following submission of the form.

Transfer Credit Course Equivalencies

Notes

1. For students entering the Faculty of Engineering, transfer credit for the first (qualifying) year courses does not reduce the minimum load requirement of 37.0 units.
2. Students wishing to pursue Credit by Special Assessment, please refer to the University Calendar for information.
3. Students who are eligible for Advanced Placement may register in a senior-level course. In the case of Language other than English courses, students with Advanced Placement will be permitted to register in a senior-level course after determination of their background qualifications for that course (interview, placement test, etc.). Students may also challenge a junior- or senior-level course for credit via the Credit by Special Assessment route if they have appropriate qualifications and are eligible within the regulations.
4. Students who have not taken Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and wish to take further Physics courses should consult the Department of Physics.
5. When students are instructed not to take a specific course and a generic 100-level credit is granted, this credit may be used to meet the prerequisite for any higher level course requiring the specific course in question.
6. MATH 114 is considered equivalent to MATH 100, 134, 144 and 154. Students with credit in MATH 114 cannot obtain credit in MATH 134, 144 or 154.