College Credit

Have college credit to transfer?

Way to go! You have a jump start on your college education with credits to transfer to UNI. In order for this credit to count, any official test scores or transcripts need to be sent to the Office of Admissions

UNI accepts the following types of course credit:

  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • International Baccalaureate Credit 
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Dual Enrollment
  • Iowa Seal of Biliteracy

Credit Types

 


Students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy (as noted on their official high school transcript) will satisfy UNI's world language requirement. 

Students who earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, French, German, or American Sign Language (ASL) will receive 6 credits for the corresponding Elementary I and II courses (SPAN 1001/1002, FREN 1001/1002, GERM 1001/1002, or ASL 3190/3195). Those who earned the Seal in Chinese will receive 8 credits (CHIN 1001/1002). For all other languages, students will be awarded 6 elective credits under LANG 1000Z.

To receive credit, students must email admissions@uni.edu and submit a transcript or certificate that includes the Seal of Biliteracy. Credit is not granted automatically and must be formally requested.

Heritage speakers of Spanish or French (i.e. students who grew up speaking these languages) may earn up to 15 retrocredits by taking a UNI language class for heritage speakers with a grade of B or better. They should contact the following faculty in the Department of Languages & Literatures to learn more about this opportunity

Heritage speakers of Spanish should contact Juan Carlos Castillo or Elise DuBord
Heritage speakers of French should contact Elizabeth Zwanziger

Important:  Duplicate credit will not be awarded if the student has already received credit via AP, IB, CLEP or dual enrollment.  

Dual Enrollment

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) categories rather than major-related courses.

Below are some commonly-taken courses and the general education category they will satisfy at UNI. There is a minimum of 37 total general credit hours required for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. If you've taken courses that aren't listed here, we recommend using our transfer equivalencies tool to see the breakdown of what UNI course your community college course will satisfy. 

Courses General Education Category Satisfied 
Composition I & II Written Communication (WC)
Public Speaking or Oral CommunicationOral Communication (OC)
Intro to Psychology or Intro to SociologyHuman Condition – Domestic (HD)
World History courses (Specific course names vary among community colleges)Human Condition – Global (HG)
Introduction to LiteratureHuman Expression (HE)
Art Appreciation or Music AppreciationHuman Expression (HE)
Introduction to Philosophy or EthicsResponsibility (RE)
Advanced Placement (AP)

AP Capstone Diploma Program

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
AP Research33 hoursENGLISH1000Z- 
4, 56 hours

ENGLISH1005

COMM1000

WC, OC 
AP Seminar3, 4, 53 hoursENGLISH1000Z- 

 

Art

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Studio Art: Drawing3, 4, 53 hoursART1000Z- 
Studio Art: 2D Design3, 4, 53 hoursART1000Z- 
Studio Art: 3D Design3, 4, 53 hoursART1000Z- 
Art History3


4, 5
3 hours


6 hours
ARTHIST1004

ARTHIST1111, ARTHIST1222
HE


HG
 

 

Biology

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Biology3No credit---  
44 hoursBIOL2051SRMeets lab requirement
58 hoursBIOL2051, 2052SRMeets lab requirement

 

Chemistry

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Chemistry3No credit---  
44 hoursCHEM1110SRMeets  lab requirement
58 HoursCHEM1110, 1120SRMeets  lab requirement

 

Computer Science

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
AP Computer Science Principals3, 4, 53 hoursCS1000Z- 
Computer Science3No Credit---  
Computer Science A4, 53 hoursCS1160- 

 

Economics

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Macroeconomics3, 4, 53 hoursECON1041QR 
Microeconomics3, 4, 53 hoursECON1051QR 

 

English

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
English Literature & Composition33 hoursENGLISH1120HE 
4, 56 hoursENGLISH 1005, 1120WC, HE 
English Language & Composition3, 4, 53 HoursENGLISH 1005WC 

 

Environmental Science

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Environmental Science3, 4, 54 hoursEARTHSCI1000SRSRMeets lab requirement

 

Human Geography

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Human Geography3, 4, 53 hoursGEOG1120HG 

 

History

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
United States History33 hoursHIST1000HDHD 
4, 56 hoursHIST 1110, 1120HD 
European History3, 4, 53 hoursHIST1000HGHG 
World History3, 4, 53 hoursHIST1000HGHG 

 

Languages

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI) 
Chinese Language & Culture34 hoursCHIN1001- 
48 hoursCHIN1001, 1002- 
512 hoursCHIN1001, 1002, 1011- 
French Language36 hoursFREN1001, 1002- 
49 hoursFREN1001, 1002, 2001- 
512 hoursFREN1001, 1002, 2001, 2002- 
German Language36 hoursGER1001, 1002- 
49 hoursGER1001, 1002, 2001- 
512 hoursGER1001, 1002, 2001, 2002- 
Japanese Language & Culture36 hoursLANG1000Z- 
49 hoursLANG1000Z- 
512 hoursLANG1000Z- 
Italian Language 

Latin: Vergil
36 hoursLANG1000Z- 
49 hoursLANG1000Z- 
512 hoursLANG1000Z- 
Spanish Language36 hoursSPAN1001, 1002- 
49 hoursSPAN1001, 1002, 2001- 
512 hoursSPAN1001, 1002, 2001, 2002- 
Spanish Literature3, 4, 53 hoursSPAN1000HGHG 

 

Mathematics

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Calculus AB3, 4, 54 hoursMATH1420QR 
Calculus BC34 hoursMATH1420QR 
Calculus BC4, 58 hoursMATH1420, 1421QR 
Pre-Calculus3, 4, 54 hoursMATH1140QR 

 

Music

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Theory3, 4, 51-3 hoursEquivalency to be determined by Music Department  

 

Physics

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Physics B3, 4, 58 hoursPHYSICS1511, 1512SRMeets lab requirement
Physics C Mechanics3, 4, 54 hoursPHYSICS1701SRMeets lab requirement
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism3, 4, 54 hoursPHYSICS1702- 
Physics I3, 4, 54 hoursPHYSICS1511SRMeets lab requirement
Physics II3, 4, 54 hoursPHYSICS1512- 

 

Political Science

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Government & Politics: United States3, 4, 53 hoursPOLAMER1014HD 
Government & Politics: Comparative3, 4, 53 hoursPOLCOMP1040HG 

 

Psychology

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Psychology3, 4, 53 hoursPSYCH1001HD 

 

Statistics

Dept./Subject Area ExamScoreCredit HoursUNI Course EquivalentGeneral Education (UNIFI)Notes
Statistics3, 4, 53 hoursSTAT1772                     QR 

 

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.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

You may complete CLEP tests prior to enrollment to UNI. UNI credit is based upon scores earned by subject matter. See how CLEP scores transfer to UNI. UNI does not offer CLEP testing on campus.

International Baccalaureate Credit (IB)

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).

 

IB CourseMinimum Score RequiredUNI Course EquivalentUNI Credit HoursGeneral Education (UNIFI)
Biology HL4BIOL:2051 & BIOL:1000Z8SR
Biology SL5BIOL:1000SR4SR
Business Management HL4MGMT:1000Z & MGMT:1000Z6-
Business Management SL5MGMT:1000Z3-
Chemistry HL4CHEM:1110 & CHEM:1000Z8SR
Chemistry SL5CHEM:10104SR
Chinese B HL4-7CHIN:1001, 1002 (4-5) 
CHIN:1001, 1002, 1011 (6-7) 
8-12 based on score 
Chinese B SL4-7CHIN:1001, 10028-
Dance HL4PEMES:2034 & PEMES:1000Z6-
Dance SL5PEMES:20343-
Economics HL4ECON:1041 & ECON:10516QR
Economics SL5ECON:1000QR3QR
Environment & Society SL5SCI ED:1000RE3RE
French B HL4-7FREN: 1001, 1002 (4) 
FREN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
FREN: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)
6-12 based on score 
French B SL4-7FREN:1001,1002 (4-5) 
FREN:1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7) 
6-9 based on score-
Geography HL4GEOG:1000HG & GEOG:1000Z6HG
Geography SL5GEOG:1000HG3HG
German B HL4-7GER: 1001, 1002 (4) 
GER: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
GER: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)
6-12 based on score-
German B SL4-7GER:1001,1002 (4-5) 
GER:1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7) 
6-9 based on score-
Global Politics HL4POL INTL:1024 & POL INTL:1000Z6HG
Global Politics SL5POL INTL:10243HG
History HL: History Africa and Middle East4HIST:1000HG6HG
History HL: History Asia and Oceania4HIST:1000HG6HG
History HL: History of Europe4HIST:1000HG6HG
History HL: History of the Americas4HIST:1000HG6HG
History SL5HIST:1000HG3HG
Information Technology in a Global Society HL4UNIV:1000Z6-
Information Technology in a Global Society SL5UNIV:1000Z3-
Japanese B HL/SL4-7LANG:1000Z6-12 based on score-
Language A: Language and Literature HL4ENGLISH:1000HE6HE
Language A: Language and Literature SL5ENGLISH:1000HE3HE
Language A: Literature HL4ENGLISH:1120 & ENGLISH:1000Z6HE
Language A: Literature SL5ENGLISH:11203HE
Math: Analysis & Approaches HL4MATH:1420 & STAT:17727QR
Math: Analysis & Approaches SL5MATH:1000QR3QR
Math: App & Interp HL4MATH:1100 & STAT:17726QR
Math: Apps and Interp SL5MATH:1000QR3QR
Philosophy HL4PHIL:1020 & PHIL1000Z6RE
Philosophy SL5PHIL:10203RE
Physics HL4PHYSICS:1511 & PHYSICS:15128SR
Physics SL5PHYSICS:1000SR4SR
Psychology HL4PSYC:1001 & PSYC:1000Z6HD
Psychology SL5PSYC:10013HD
Social and Cultural Anthropology HL4ANTH1002; ANTH1000Z6HG
Social and Cultural Anthropology HL5ANTH10023HG
Spanish B HL4-7SPAN: 1001, 1002 (4) 
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)
6-12 based on score 
Spanish B SL4-7SPAN:1001,1002 (4-5) 
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7) 
6-9 based on score-
Sports, exercise science, and health sciences HL4KAHHS:1000Z6-
Sports, exercise science, and health sciences SL5KAHHS:1000Z3-
Swahili B HL/SL4-7LANG:1000Z6-12 based on score-
Theatre HL4THEATRE: 1000HE & THEATRE: 1000HE6HE
Theatre SL5THEATRE: 1000HE3HE
Visual Arts HL4ART:1000HE6HE
Visual Arts SL5ART:1000HE3HE

 

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.

Iowa Seal of Biliteracy

Students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy (as noted on their official high school transcript) will satisfy UNI's world language requirement. 

Students who earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, French, German, or American Sign Language (ASL) will receive 6 credits for the corresponding Elementary I and II courses (SPAN 1001/1002, FREN 1001/1002, GERM 1001/1002, or ASL 3190/3195). Those who earned the Seal in Chinese will receive 8 credits (CHIN 1001/1002). For all other languages, students will be awarded 6 elective credits under LANG 1000Z.

To receive credit, students must email admissions@uni.edu and submit a transcript or certificate that includes the Seal of Biliteracy. Credit is not granted automatically and must be formally requested.

Heritage speakers of Spanish or French (i.e. students who grew up speaking these languages) may earn up to 15 retrocredits by taking a UNI language class for heritage speakers with a grade of B or better. They should contact the following faculty in the Department of Languages & Literatures to learn more about this opportunity

Heritage speakers of Spanish should contact Juan Carlos Castillo or Elise DuBord
Heritage speakers of French should contact Elizabeth Zwanziger

Important:  Duplicate credit will not be awarded if the student has already received credit via AP, IB, CLEP or dual enrollment.  

students
YOUR CREDITS WILL GO TO WORK FOR YOU

1 in 12 UNI students graduate within three years. 

Many students who bring in credit to UNI are finding they can graduate early. This is due to UNI’s flexible general education program and great advising on campus. Students are adding minors and second majors – or changing their major altogether – and still staying on track for graduation in four or less years.