College Credit

UNI credit is typically granted for students who earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam. More detailed information is available below on how courses transfer into UNI and the General Education (UNIFI: University of Northern Iowa Foundational Inquiry) category they satisfy: Written Communication (WC), Oral Communication (OC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Human Condition-Domestic (HD), Human Condition-Global (HG), Scientific Reasoning (SR), Human Expression (HE), Responsibility (RE), and Connect Elective (CE).

AP Capstone Diploma Program

Art

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

Economics

English

Environmental Science

Human Geography

History

Languages

Mathematics

Music

Physics

Political Science

Psychology

Statistics

Please note: This information is the best estimate value of how specific test scores will transfer to UNI. However, this document should not be considered a guarantee of transfer credit awarded. A formal course evaluation will be initiated once an official application for admission has been received and official test scores have been submitted. All test scores are subject to departmental approval and may change without notice.

UNI provides advanced standing credit to students who earn a score of 4 or above on Higher Level (HL) subjects and 5 or above for Standard Level (SL) subjects. More detailed information is available below on how courses transfer into UNI and the General Education (UNIFI: University of Northern Iowa Foundational Inquiry)  category they satisfy: Written Communication (WC), Oral Communication (OC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Human Condition-Domestic (HD), Human Condition-Global (HG), Scientific Reasoning (SR), Human Expression (HE), Responsibility (RE), and Connect Elective (CE).

Note: You must arrange for the testing service to send an official score report to the UNI Admissions Office. You can earn up to 32 credit hours toward an undergraduate degree through credit by examination.

College credit earned in high school may be accepted at UNI. In order for you to receive credit for college courses you have taken, you must request an official college transcript to be sent to the UNI Admissions Office. Note: College credit listed on your high school transcript is not considered as official.

College Course Recommendations

If you are planning to transfer college credit earned while in high school to UNI, we recommend you focus on courses that meet UNI's General Education (UNIFI: University of Northern Iowa Foundational Inquiry) category rather than major courses. See recommendations below.  [Note the General Education (UNIFI) category they satisfy as follows: Written Communication (WC), Oral Communication (OC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Human Condition-Domestic (HD), Human Condition-Global (HG), Scientific Reasoning (SR), Human Expression (HE), Responsibility (RE), and Connect Elective (CE).]

For course by course equivalencies for Iowa community colleges, click here.  If you have questions about your credit, please email admissions@uni.edu.

All Majors

• Composition I & II  [Combined satisfy WC]
• Public Speaking OR Oral Communication [OC]
• World History courses (Each community college may have a different name for these courses) [HG]
• Introduction to Literature [HE]
​• Introduction to Philosophy [RE]
• Art Appreciation OR Music Appreciation [HE]

Business Majors

Majors include Accounting, Management, Marketing, Finance, Supply Management, Economics and Real Estate. In addition to the recommended courses listed above,  a good option for business majors includes:

• Introduction to Sociology [HD]

Early Childhood or Elementary Education Majors

In order to become a licensed early childhood or elementary teacher in the state of Iowa, specific course requirements (some also satisfy general education requirements) must be fulfilled. In particular, it is important to pay attention to the science and social science courses. It is best to work directly with the Office of Admissions to ensure the proper classes for licensure are taken.

Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pre-Med, Pre-Health, Biomedical Majors

It is recommended that students take General Biology I & II and Chemistry I & II at UNI. 

Students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy will satisfy UNI's world language requirement. 

Up to 18 credits may be available for students who are eligible and complete SPAN 3006 (Spanish for Heritage Speakers).  See more here. 

Credit may be applied toward the major, minor, or certificate in Chinese, French, or Spanish.   Learn more about UNI's programs here.

Please note that duplicate credit will not be awarded if the student has already received credit via AP, IB, CLEP or dual enrollment.  To qualify, students should send a final transcript with the Seal of Biliteracy to the Office of Admissions.