Undergraduate study

Additional sources of academic credit

Before the end of the first semester of enrollment, dual-enrollment transcripts and scores for the Advanced Placement test of the College Entrance Examination Board, International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge International Examination are required to be submitted to the appropriate VCU offices to be eligible for academic credit.

Credit for Advanced Placement tests
Credit for International Baccalaureate Diplomas and courses
Credit for Cambridge International Examinations
College Level Examination Program
Undergraduate credit by examination
Military service and ROTC courses
Credits earned through the International Student Exchange Program
Credit for dual-enrollment courses

Note: The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors gives the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee the authority to review these sources of academic credit as needed. The UUCC will report substantial changes to the board for further approval.

Credit for Advanced Placement tests of the College Entrance Examination Board

AP tests passed with scores of 3, 4 or 5 will, depending on the test, be considered for advanced standing and credit for the corresponding courses at Virginia Commonwealth University. The chart below provides information about the VCU equivalent credit for the various AP tests.

To ensure consistency, the Office of the Vice Provost for Instruction is the official credit notification point for AP credit for all university programs. Final determination of credit will be made after test results have been received and evaluated by the vice provost’s office. Credits awarded are counted as credits earned toward the degree, but are not used in the computation of the student’s VCU grade-point average.

For more information, contact the Office of the Vice Provost for Instruction at (804) 827-0838.

Credit for Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board

AP examination	AP score	VCU equivalent	VCU credit
Art History	3	ARTH 103	3
Art History	4,5	ARTH 103, 104	6
Art: Studio Art – Drawing	4,5	ARTF 139	1
Art: Studio Art – 2-D-Design	4,5	ARTF 139	1
Art: Studio Art – 3-D-Design	4,5	ARTF 139	1
Biology	3	BIOL 101, BIOZ 101	4
Biology	4	BIOL 152, BIOZ 152	4
Biology	5	BIOL 151, BIOZ 151, BIOL 152, BIOZ 152	8
Calculus AB	3,4,5	MATH 200	4
Calculus BC	3,4	MATH 200	4
Calculus BC	5	MATH 200, 201	8
Chemistry	3,4	CHEM 101, CHEZ 101	4
Chemistry	5	CHEM 101, CHEZ 101, CHEM 102, CHEZ 102	8
Chinese	3	FRLG 101	4
Chinese	4,5	CHIN 201, 202	6
Computer Science A	4,5	CMSC 255	4
Computer Science AB	3	CMSC 255	4
Computer Science AB	4,5	CMSC 255, 256	7
Economics – Macro	4,5	ECON 211	3
Economics – Micro	4,5	ECON 210	3
English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition	3,4,5	UNIV 111	3
English Language and Composition and English Literature and Composition	3,4,5	UNIV 111, ENGL 215	6
Environmental Science	3,4	BIOL 103	4
Environmental Science	5	BIOL 103	5
European History	3,4,5	HIST 101, 102	6
French, German, Spanish Language	3	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 202	3
French, German, Spanish Language	4	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 300	3
French, German, Spanish Language	5	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 300, 301	6
French, German, Spanish Literature	3	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 202	3
French, German, Spanish Literature	4	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 330	3
French, German, Spanish Literature	5	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 330, 331	6
Govt. & Politics: Comparative	3,4,5	POLI 109	3
Govt. & Politics: United States	3,4,5	POLI 103	3
Human Geography	3,4,5	GEOG 102	3
Italian	3	ITAL 102	4
Italian	4	ITAL 201, 202	6
Italian	5	ITAL 202, 3XX	6
Japanese	3	FRLG 101	4
Japanese	4,5	FRLG 201, 202	6
Latin Literature	3,4,5	LATN 201	3
Latin: Vergil	3,4,5	LATN 202	3
Music Theory	3,4,5	MHIS 110	3
Physics B	3,4	PHYS 201	4
Physics B	5	PHYS 201, PHYS 202	8
Physics C – Electricity & Magnetism	4,5	PHYS 208	5
Physics C – Mechanics	3,4,5	PHYS 207	5
Psychology	3,4,5	PSYC 101	4
Statistics	3,4	STAT 210	3
Statistics	5	STAT 212	3
U.S. History	3,4,5	HIST 103, 104	6
World History	3,4,5	History elective	6

Credit for International Baccalaureate Diplomas and courses

IB Higher Level (HL) tests passed with scores of 3-7 and Standard Level (SL) tests passed with scores of 4-7 will, depending on the test, be considered for advanced standing and credit for the corresponding courses at Virginia Commonwealth University. The chart below provides information about the VCU equivalent credit for IB scores. Three elective credits will be awarded for the “Theory of Knowledge” course.

To ensure consistency, the Office of the Vice Provost for Instruction is the official credit notification point for IB credit for all university programs. Final determination of credit will be made after test results have been received and evaluated by the vice provost’s office. Credits awarded are counted as credits earned toward the degree, but are not used in the computation of the student’s VCU grade-point average.

For more information, contact the Office of the Vice Provost for Instruction at (804) 827-0838.

Credit for International Baccalaureate Diplomas and courses

IB examination	HL	SL	VCU equivalent	VCU credit
Biology	4,5	5,6	BIOL 101, BIOZ 101	4
Biology	6	7	BIOL 152, BIOZ 152	4
Biology	7		BIOL 151, BIOZ 151, BIOL 152, BIOZ 152	8
Business & Management	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	MGMT 121	3
Chemistry	5	6	CHEM 101, CHEZ 101	4
Chemistry	6,7	7	CHEM 101, CHEZ 101, CHEM 102, CHEZ 102	8
Computer Science	4,5	5,6	CMSC 255	4
Computer Science	6,7	7	CMSC 255, 256	7
Economics	6,7	7	ECON 203	3
English A	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	UNIV 111	3
English B	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	UNIV 111	3
Environmental Systems		5,6,7	GEOG 203, GEOZ 203	4
French, German, Spanish		4	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 102	4
French, German, Spanish	4	5	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 202	3
French, German, Spanish	5	6	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 300	3
French, German, Spanish	6,7	7	FREN, GRMN, SPAN 300, 301	6
Further Mathematics		4,5,6,7	MATH 141	3
Further Mathematics	5,6		MATH 200, 201	8
Further Mathematics	7		MATH 200, 201, 310	11
Geography	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	GEOG 102	3
History	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	History elective	6
History Americas	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	HIST 103, 104	6
History Asia & Oceania	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	HIST 107, 108	6
History Europe	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	HIST 101, 102	6
ITGS			none	0
Latin	3	4	LATN 101	4
Latin	4	5	LATN 102	4
Latin	5,6,7	6,7	LATN 202	3
Mathematics		5,6,7	MATH 151	4
Mathematics	5,6		MATH 200	4
Mathematics	7		MATH 200, 201	8
Mathematical Studies		4,5,6,7	MATH 141	3
Music	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	MHIS 105	3
Philosophy	5,6,7	6,7	PHIL 101	3
Physics	4,5	5,6	PHYS 201	4
Physics	6,7	7	PHYS 201, PHYS 202	8
Psychology	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	PSYC 101	4
Social & Cultural Anthropology	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	ANTH 103	3
Theatre Arts			THEA 107	3
Visual Arts	4,5,6,7	5,6,7	ARTF 139	1

Credit for Cambridge International Examinations

The University may grant credit for Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) comprising levels Advanced (A) and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) offered through the University of Cambridge in England. These courses and examinations are administered through registered CIE Centers in public high schools throughout the United States. A-level syllabuses and exams cover approximately two years of college-level curriculum in a subject and the AS level syllabus and exam covers the first year of the two-year A-level curriculum.

Cambridge tests passed with final grades of A, B or C will, depending on the test, be considered for advanced standing and credit for the corresponding courses at VCU. The applicability of such credit toward the student’s degree program is interpreted by the department or school in which the student seeks a degree. Credits accepted are counted as credits earned toward the degree, but are not used in the computation of the students GPA.

Students requesting evaluation of their Cambridge credits are to request an official copy of their transcript from the CIE coordinators at the student’s specific high school. Official transcripts may be sent to Virginia Commonwealth University Transfer Center, 900 Park Ave., P.O. Box 842532, Richmond, VA 23284-2532.

The chart below provides information about the VCU equivalent for various Cambridge examinations. Note: Cambridge credits listed below are effective for spring 2013 admissions.

For more information regarding Cambridge International Examinations, please contact the VCU Transfer Center at (804) 827-1349.

Credit for Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge exam	A-level VCU equivalent	AS-level VCU equivalent	VCU credit
Biology	BIOL 101/BIOZ 101	BIOL 101/BIOZ 101	4
Chemistry	CHEM 101/CHEZ 101	CHEM 101/CHEZ 101	4
English	*	UNIV 111	3
English literature	ENGL 215	ENGL 215	3
Mathematics	MATH 200	MATH 200	4
Mathematics	STAT 314	**	4
Physics	PHYS 201	PHYS 101/PHYZ 101	4
Divinity	RELS/HIST 327	**	3
Psychology	PSYC 101	PSYC 101	4
Music	MHIS 1XX	MHIS 1XX	3
Computing	CMSC 101	CMSC 101	3
Economics	ECON 203	ECON 203	3
Art and design	ARTS 1XX	ARTS 1XX	3

* Class/exam exclusively offered at AS-level; ** Class/exam exclusively offered at A-level

College Level Examination Program

The College Level Examination Program is designed to allow people who have gained knowledge outside the classroom to take examinations and receive college credit for what they have learned.

Procedures for VCU students

Students should obtain CLEP approval forms, information about CLEP general and/or subject examinations, VCU course equivalency information, optional essay requirements and CLEP applications from the Testing Center in the University College, Virginia Commonwealth University, Hibbs Hall, First Floor, P.O. Box 842500, Richmond, VA 23284-2500; (804) 827-8108.
Students should discuss the examination(s) to be taken with an adviser, and obtain permission signatures from the adviser and dean of the school of the major on each of the three approval forms. If the optional essay is required for a subject examination, it should be indicated on the CLEP approval forms and on the CLEP application.
Students should return the completed CLEP approval forms, the completed CLEP application and the proper fee to the Testing Center. After receipt of these materials and fees, the examination time(s) will be scheduled.
The examination score and the result of the optional essay are sent to the dean’s office in which the student is a major for final action. The dean then sends formal notification to the student, the Office of Records and Registration and the student’s adviser.

Regulations for VCU students

CLEP credit is officially awarded only to students who are fully accepted into a VCU degree program.
A student may not attempt a subject or general examination if it duplicates in part, or full, any VCU course or combination of courses that the student has already completed or enrolled in for credit. For example, a student who has completed courses in U.S. and European history, sociology, anthropology and psychology, or similar courses, is not eligible to take the social sciences and history general examination. The dean’s office of the school in which the student is a major makes the decision about the appropriateness of taking a particular examination.
If a student has earned CLEP subject examination credit, the student may not take a VCU course for credit that would duplicate the CLEP credits already earned.
The CLEP general examination in English composition is not acceptable for VCU credit. Students may take the CLEP Freshman College Composition with essay subject examination for credit equivalent to UNIV 111. There is no CLEP exam equivalent for UNIV 200. In order to receive credit for the CLEP general examination in mathematics, the student must take the Mathematics Placement Test and test at the STAT 208, 210 or MATH 200 level. To make arrangements to take this placement test, contact the Testing Center at (804) 827-8108. Results should be reported to the dean of the school in which the student is a major.
A maximum of 54 semester credits can be earned through CLEP examinations.

Credit awarded on subject tests taken through the CLEP*

Subject exam	Score	VCU equivalent	VCU credits
French (2 semesters)	50	FREN 101-102	8
French (4 semesters)	62	FREN 101-102, 201-202	14
German (2 semesters)	50	GRMN 101-102	8
German (4 semesters)	63	GRMN 101-102, 201-202	14
Spanish (2 semesters)	50	SPAN 101-102	8
Spanish (4 semesters)	66	SPAN 101-102, 201-202	14
American government	50	POLI 103	3
Educational psychology	50	PSYC 305	3
History of the U.S. 1	50	HIST 103	3
History of the U.S. 2	50	HIST 104	3
Human growth & development	50	EDUS 301	3
Intro to psychology	50	PSYC 101	3
Intro to sociology	50	SOCY 101	3
Western civilization 1	50	HIST 101	3
Western civilization 2	50	HIST 102	3
College algebra	50	MATH 141	3
Calculus	50	MATH 200	3
Chemistry	50	CHEM 101-102	6
College mathematics	50	MATH 131	3
Pre-calculus	50	MATH 151	3
General biology	50	BIOL 101 OR BIOL 151	3
General biology	70	BIOL 151-152	6
Financial accounting	50	ACCT 203	3
Info systems & computer apps	50	INFO 360	3
Intro to business law	50	MGMT 323	3
Principles of marketing	50	MKTG 301	3
Microeconomics	50	ECON 210	3
Macroeconomics	50	ECON 211	3
College composition	50	UNIV 111	3
* Decisions regarding VCU equivalents were made in consultation with the VCU departments.

Undergraduate credit by examination

Recognizing that VCU enrolls students of varying backgrounds and experiences, the university provides its students the opportunity to accelerate their education through credit by examination. The following outline describes conditions under which credit by examination may be given and the procedure for doing so.

With the approval of the dean, each department or program shall:
1. Determine which, if any, courses shall be available for credit by examination. The student should check with the department offering course work in the area in which he or she wishes to take credit by examination for a list of the courses so designated.
2. Determine the types of examinations, standards of evaluation and evaluators for the courses so designated.
3. Determine the qualifications for students to be eligible to take the examinations.
The examinations, if available, may be taken by any enrolled student during the fall and spring semesters and during the summer session.
The student wishing to take credit by examination must meet the following requirements:
1. Not have received a grade listed in this bulletin, including AU or W for the course for which credit by examination is sought. Also, the student should not have been granted transfer credit for a similar course taken elsewhere.
2. Be a currently enrolled student as certified by the examining department.
3. Meet departmental and school eligibility requirements as evidenced by the written approval of the chair of the examining department.
After consultation with the major adviser and within the first four weeks of a semester or the first week of a summer session, the student must complete the Credit by Examination Approval Form with the department chair. The form, available from the department, should be left with the chair when it is completed.
Within two weeks, the student is notified by the dean’s office of the time and place of examination.
After notification, but before taking the exam, the student must pay the university cashier the fee established by VCU for each credit being sought. As verification of payment, the student presents the receipt to the department chair before the examination is taken.
After the examination is taken, the results and the examination are sent to the dean’s office, which notifies the student of the results. If the student passes the examination, the course title, credits earned and the grade CR are recorded on the student’s permanent academic record. Credits so earned are applied toward the graduation requirement for total credits. However, these credits are not included in the computation of the student’s GPA.

Military service and ROTC courses

The university may grant credit for formal military service school courses offered by the various branches of the U.S. armed forces. The guidelines for granting such credits include:

The positive recommendation of the Commission on Accreditation of Service Experiences of the American Council on Education (ACE) as stated in the most recent edition of “A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services” (http://militaryguides.acenet.edu/).
Acceptable scores earned on subject tests (DSST) taken through Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES), a college-credit-by-exam-agency. The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) program is an extensive series of examinations in college subject areas that are comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate courses.
Acceptable scores earned on subject tests taken through the College-Level Exam Program (CLEP), a college-credit-by-exam program.
NOTE: Credit is not awarded for experiential learning.

The applicability of such credit toward the student's degree program is interpreted by the department or school in which the student seeks a degree. Credits accepted are counted as credits earned toward the degree, but are not used in the computation of the student’s GPA. Students should consult with the assistant or associate dean for undergraduate affairs of the school or college for further details about the procedures for awarding credit for military service school courses.

Credit is accepted directly from each of the above agencies. Students may request their military transcripts from the following websites:

Army: http://aarts.army.mil/
Navy and Marines: https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/smart_info.cfm
http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp
Coast Guard: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgi/active_duty/go_to_college/official_transcript.asp
Military students may request their score sheets from the following website:

CLEP and DSST subject exams: http://www.dantes.doded.mil/Sub%20Pages/Exams/Exams_Transcript_Request.html

Transcripts and/or score sheets may be sent to Virginia Commonwealth University Transfer Center, 900 Park Ave., P.O. Box 842532, Richmond, VA 23284-2532.

Army ROTC is open to any VCU student. Advanced standing may be granted to veterans, Junior ROTC graduates or members of the Reserves/National Guard after the department chair’s review of academic records and verification of ROTC academic alignment. The number of credits accepted toward graduation requirements is determined by each school. See Military Science and Leadership in the “College of Humanities and Sciences” section of this bulletin.

Military credits awarded (from AARTS/SMARTS transcripts) based on ACE recommendations

(Additional credit may be awarded on a case-by-case basis.*)

Course	Recommended credit	VCU equivalent	Credit
Physical conditioning/fitness	1-3	HPEX 1XX	1-3
First aid	1-3	HPEX 1XX	1-3
Military science/leadership	1-3	MILS 101	1-3
Personal/community health	1-3	HPEX 1XX	1-3
Oral communications	1-3	SPCH 121	1-3
Personnel supervision/management	1-3	MGMT 1XX	1-3
Basic math	1-3	MATH 1XX	1-3
Computer technology	1-3	INFO 1XX	1-3
Technical writing	1-3	ENGL 1XX	1-3
Human resources management	1-3	MGMT 1XX	1-3
* Decisions regarding VCU equivalents were made in consultation with the VCU departments.

Credit awarded for DSST subject exams through DANTES*

DSST exam	Score	VCU equivalent	VCU credit
Technical writing		No equivalent	0
Intro to computing		No equivalent	0
Contemporary Western Europe,1946-1990	48	HIST 1XX	3
Intro to modern Middle East	44	HIST 1XX	3
Human/cultural geography	48	GEOG 102	3
Ethics in America	46/400	PHIL 2XX	3
Criminal justice		No equivalent	0
Fundamentals of college algebra		No equivalent	0
General anthropology	47	ANTH 103	3
Intro to law enforcement		No equivalent	0
Lifespan development psychology	46	PSYC 304	3
Physical geology	46	GEOG 105	3
Principles of physical science I	47	PHYS 101	3
Principles of statistics	48/400	STAT 208	3
Management information systems	46/400	INFO 360	3
Human resource management	46	MGMT 2XX	3
Introduction to business	46	MGMT 121	3
* Decisions regarding VCU equivalents were made in consultation with the VCU departments.

Credit awarded on subject tests taken through the CLEP*

Subject exam	Score	VCU equivalent	VCU credits
French (2 semesters)	50	FREN 101-102	8
French (4 semesters)	62	FREN 101-102, 201-202	14
German (2 semesters)	50	GRMN 101-102	8
German (4 semesters)	63	GRMN 101-102, 201-202	14
Spanish (2 semesters)	50	SPAN 101-102	8
Spanish (4 semesters)	66	SPAN 101-102, 201-202	14
American government	50	POLI 103	3
Educational psychology	50	PSYC 305	3
History of the U.S. 1	50	HIST 103	3
History of the U.S. 2	50	HIST 104	3
Human growth & development	50	EDUS 301	3
Intro to psychology	50	PSYC 101	3
Intro to sociology	50	SOCY 101	3
Western civilization 1	50	HIST 101	3
Western civilization 2	50	HIST 102	3
College algebra	50	MATH 141	3
Calculus	50	MATH 200	3
Chemistry	50	CHEM 101-102	6
College mathematics	50	MATH 131	3
Pre-calculus	50	MATH 151	3
General biology	50	BIOL 101 OR BIOL 151	3
General biology	70	BIOL 151-152	6
Financial accounting	50	ACCT 203	3
Info systems & computer apps	50	INFO 360	3
Intro to business law	50	MGMT 323	3
Principles of marketing	50	MKTG 301	3
Microeconomics	50	ECON 210	3
Macroeconomics	50	ECON 211	3
College composition	50	UNIV 111	3
* Decisions regarding VCU equivalents were made in consultation with the VCU departments.

Credits earned through the International Student Exchange Program

Credits earned by a VCU student through ISEP appear on the student’s transcript, but are not included in the computation of the student’s cumulative GPA. See the “Education Abroad” section of this bulletin. This policy became effective July 1990.

Credits for dual-enrollment courses

Qualified students who have taken college-level work while still enrolled in a secondary school may receive academic credit. Courses taken as dual enrollment courses will be treated as VCU courses or transfer credits according to the evaluation guidelines.

Approved by VCU Board of Visitors, Nov. 10, 2011. The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors gives the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee the authority to review these sources of academic credit as needed. The UUCC will report substantial changes to the board for further approval.