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
- 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 Course Minimum Score Required UNI Course Equivalent UNI Credit Hours General Education (UNIFI) Biology HL 4 BIOL:2051 & BIOL:1000Z 8 SR Biology SL 5 BIOL:1000SR 4 SR Business Management HL 4 MGMT:1000Z & MGMT:1000Z 6 - Business Management SL 5 MGMT:1000Z 3 - Chemistry HL 4 CHEM:1110 & CHEM:1000Z 8 SR Chemistry SL 5 CHEM:1010 4 SR Chinese B HL 4-7 CHIN:1001, 1002 (4-5)
CHIN:1001, 1002, 1011 (6-7)8-12 based on score Chinese B SL 4-7 CHIN:1001, 1002 8 - Dance HL 4 PEMES:2034 & PEMES:1000Z 6 - Dance SL 5 PEMES:2034 3 - Economics HL 4 ECON:1041 & ECON:1051 6 QR Economics SL 5 ECON:1000QR 3 QR Environment & Society SL 5 SCI ED:1000RE 3 RE French B HL 4-7 FREN: 1001, 1002 (4)
FREN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
FREN: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)6-12 based on score French B SL 4-7 FREN:1001,1002 (4-5)
FREN:1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7)6-9 based on score - Geography HL 4 GEOG:1000HG & GEOG:1000Z 6 HG Geography SL 5 GEOG:1000HG 3 HG German B HL 4-7 GER: 1001, 1002 (4)
GER: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
GER: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)6-12 based on score - German B SL 4-7 GER:1001,1002 (4-5)
GER:1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7)6-9 based on score - Global Politics HL 4 POL INTL:1024 & POL INTL:1000Z 6 HG Global Politics SL 5 POL INTL:1024 3 HG History HL: History Africa and Middle East 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History HL: History Asia and Oceania 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History HL: History of Europe 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History HL: History of the Americas 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History SL 5 HIST:1000HG 3 HG Information Technology in a Global Society HL 4 UNIV:1000Z 6 - Information Technology in a Global Society SL 5 UNIV:1000Z 3 - Japanese B HL/SL 4-7 LANG:1000Z 6-12 based on score - Language A: Language and Literature HL 4 ENGLISH:1000HE 6 HE Language A: Language and Literature SL 5 ENGLISH:1000HE 3 HE Language A: Literature HL 4 ENGLISH:1120 & ENGLISH:1000Z 6 HE Language A: Literature SL 5 ENGLISH:1120 3 HE Math: Analysis & Approaches HL 4 MATH:1420 & STAT:1772 7 QR Math: Analysis & Approaches SL 5 MATH:1000QR 3 QR Math: App & Interp HL 4 MATH:1100 & STAT:1772 6 QR Math: Apps and Interp SL 5 MATH:1000QR 3 QR Philosophy HL 4 PHIL:1020 & PHIL1000Z 6 RE Philosophy SL 5 PHIL:1020 3 RE Physics HL 4 PHYSICS:1511 & PHYSICS:1512 8 SR Physics SL 5 PHYSICS:1000SR 4 SR Psychology HL 4 PSYC:1001 & PSYC:1000Z 6 HD Psychology SL 5 PSYC:1001 3 HD Social and Cultural Anthropology HL 4 ANTH1002; ANTH1000Z 6 HG Social and Cultural Anthropology HL 5 ANTH1002 3 HG Spanish B HL 4-7 SPAN: 1001, 1002 (4)
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)6-12 based on score Spanish B SL 4-7 SPAN:1001,1002 (4-5)
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7)6-9 based on score - Sports, exercise science, and health sciences HL 4 KAHHS:1000Z 6 - Sports, exercise science, and health sciences SL 5 KAHHS:1000Z 3 - Swahili B HL/SL 4-7 LANG:1000Z 6-12 based on score - Theatre HL 4 THEATRE: 1000HE & THEATRE: 1000HE 6 HE Theatre SL 5 THEATRE: 1000HE 3 HE Visual Arts HL 4 ART:1000HE 6 HE Visual Arts SL 5 ART:1000HE 3 HE 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 retro credits 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 Communication Oral Communication (OC) Intro to Psychology or Intro to Sociology Human Condition – Domestic (HD) World History courses (Specific course names vary among community colleges) Human Condition – Global (HG) Introduction to Literature Human Expression (HE) Art Appreciation or Music Appreciation Human Expression (HE) Introduction to Philosophy or Ethics Responsibility (RE) - Advanced Placement (AP)
AP Capstone Diploma Program
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes AP Research 3 3 hours ENGLISH1000Z - 4, 5 6 hours ENGLISH1005
COMM1000
WC, OC AP Seminar 3, 4, 5 3 hours ENGLISH1000Z - Art
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Studio Art: Drawing 3, 4, 5 3 hours ART1000Z - Studio Art: 2D Design 3, 4, 5 3 hours ART1000Z - Studio Art: 3D Design 3, 4, 5 3 hours ART1000Z - Art History 3
4, 53 hours
6 hoursARTHIST1004
ARTHIST1111, ARTHIST1222HE
HGBiology
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Biology 3 No credit --- 4 4 hours BIOL2051 SR Meets lab requirement 5 8 hours BIOL2051, 2052 SR Meets lab requirement Chemistry
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Chemistry 3 No credit --- 4 4 hours CHEM1110 SR Meets lab requirement 5 8 Hours CHEM1110, 1120 SR Meets lab requirement Computer Science
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes AP Computer Science Principals 3, 4, 5 3 hours CS1000Z - Computer Science 3 No Credit --- Computer Science A 4, 5 3 hours CS1160 - Economics
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Macroeconomics 3, 4, 5 3 hours ECON1041 QR Microeconomics 3, 4, 5 3 hours ECON1051 QR English
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes English Literature & Composition 3 3 hours ENGLISH1120 HE 4, 5 6 hours ENGLISH 1005, 1120 WC, HE English Language & Composition 3, 4, 5 3 Hours ENGLISH 1005 WC Environmental Science
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Environmental Science 3, 4, 5 4 hours EARTHSCI1000SR SR Meets lab requirement Human Geography
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Human Geography 3, 4, 5 3 hours GEOG1120 HG History
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes United States History 3 3 hours HIST1000HD HD 4, 5 6 hours HIST 1110, 1120 HD European History 3, 4, 5 3 hours HIST1000HG HG World History 3, 4, 5 3 hours HIST1000HG HG Languages
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Chinese Language & Culture 3 4 hours CHIN1001 - 4 8 hours CHIN1001, 1002 - 5 12 hours CHIN1001, 1002, 1011 - French Language 3 6 hours FREN1001, 1002 - 4 9 hours FREN1001, 1002, 2001 - 5 12 hours FREN1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 - German Language 3 6 hours GER1001, 1002 - 4 9 hours GER1001, 1002, 2001 - 5 12 hours GER1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 - Japanese Language & Culture 3 6 hours LANG1000Z - 4 9 hours LANG1000Z - 5 12 hours LANG1000Z - Italian Language
Latin: Vergil3 6 hours LANG1000Z - 4 9 hours LANG1000Z - 5 12 hours LANG1000Z - Spanish Language 3 6 hours SPAN1001, 1002 - 4 9 hours SPAN1001, 1002, 2001 - 5 12 hours SPAN1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 - Spanish Literature 3, 4, 5 3 hours SPAN1000HG HG Mathematics
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Calculus AB 3, 4, 5 4 hours MATH1420 QR Calculus BC 3 4 hours MATH1420 QR Calculus BC 4, 5 8 hours MATH1420, 1421 QR Pre-Calculus 3, 4, 5 4 hours MATH1140 QR Music
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Theory 3, 4, 5 1-3 hours Equivalency to be determined by Music Department Physics
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Physics B 3, 4, 5 8 hours PHYSICS1511, 1512 SR Meets lab requirement Physics C Mechanics 3, 4, 5 4 hours PHYSICS1701 SR Meets lab requirement Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 3, 4, 5 4 hours PHYSICS1702 - Physics I 3, 4, 5 4 hours PHYSICS1511 SR Meets lab requirement Physics II 3, 4, 5 4 hours PHYSICS1512 - Political Science
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Government & Politics: United States 3, 4, 5 3 hours POLAMER1014 HD Government & Politics: Comparative 3, 4, 5 3 hours POLCOMP1040 HG Psychology
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Psychology 3, 4, 5 3 hours PSYCH1001 HD Statistics
Dept./Subject Area Exam Score Credit Hours UNI Course Equivalent General Education (UNIFI) Notes Statistics 3, 4, 5 3 hours STAT1772 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 Course Minimum Score Required UNI Course Equivalent UNI Credit Hours General Education (UNIFI) Biology HL 4 BIOL:2051 & BIOL:1000Z 8 SR Biology SL 5 BIOL:1000SR 4 SR Business Management HL 4 MGMT:1000Z & MGMT:1000Z 6 - Business Management SL 5 MGMT:1000Z 3 - Chemistry HL 4 CHEM:1110 & CHEM:1000Z 8 SR Chemistry SL 5 CHEM:1010 4 SR Chinese B HL 4-7 CHIN:1001, 1002 (4-5)
CHIN:1001, 1002, 1011 (6-7)8-12 based on score Chinese B SL 4-7 CHIN:1001, 1002 8 - Dance HL 4 PEMES:2034 & PEMES:1000Z 6 - Dance SL 5 PEMES:2034 3 - Economics HL 4 ECON:1041 & ECON:1051 6 QR Economics SL 5 ECON:1000QR 3 QR Environment & Society SL 5 SCI ED:1000RE 3 RE French B HL 4-7 FREN: 1001, 1002 (4)
FREN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
FREN: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)6-12 based on score French B SL 4-7 FREN:1001,1002 (4-5)
FREN:1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7)6-9 based on score - Geography HL 4 GEOG:1000HG & GEOG:1000Z 6 HG Geography SL 5 GEOG:1000HG 3 HG German B HL 4-7 GER: 1001, 1002 (4)
GER: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
GER: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)6-12 based on score - German B SL 4-7 GER:1001,1002 (4-5)
GER:1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7)6-9 based on score - Global Politics HL 4 POL INTL:1024 & POL INTL:1000Z 6 HG Global Politics SL 5 POL INTL:1024 3 HG History HL: History Africa and Middle East 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History HL: History Asia and Oceania 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History HL: History of Europe 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History HL: History of the Americas 4 HIST:1000HG 6 HG History SL 5 HIST:1000HG 3 HG Information Technology in a Global Society HL 4 UNIV:1000Z 6 - Information Technology in a Global Society SL 5 UNIV:1000Z 3 - Japanese B HL/SL 4-7 LANG:1000Z 6-12 based on score - Language A: Language and Literature HL 4 ENGLISH:1000HE 6 HE Language A: Language and Literature SL 5 ENGLISH:1000HE 3 HE Language A: Literature HL 4 ENGLISH:1120 & ENGLISH:1000Z 6 HE Language A: Literature SL 5 ENGLISH:1120 3 HE Math: Analysis & Approaches HL 4 MATH:1420 & STAT:1772 7 QR Math: Analysis & Approaches SL 5 MATH:1000QR 3 QR Math: App & Interp HL 4 MATH:1100 & STAT:1772 6 QR Math: Apps and Interp SL 5 MATH:1000QR 3 QR Philosophy HL 4 PHIL:1020 & PHIL1000Z 6 RE Philosophy SL 5 PHIL:1020 3 RE Physics HL 4 PHYSICS:1511 & PHYSICS:1512 8 SR Physics SL 5 PHYSICS:1000SR 4 SR Psychology HL 4 PSYC:1001 & PSYC:1000Z 6 HD Psychology SL 5 PSYC:1001 3 HD Social and Cultural Anthropology HL 4 ANTH1002; ANTH1000Z 6 HG Social and Cultural Anthropology HL 5 ANTH1002 3 HG Spanish B HL 4-7 SPAN: 1001, 1002 (4)
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (5)
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 (6-7)6-12 based on score Spanish B SL 4-7 SPAN:1001,1002 (4-5)
SPAN: 1001, 1002, 2001 (6-7)6-9 based on score - Sports, exercise science, and health sciences HL 4 KAHHS:1000Z 6 - Sports, exercise science, and health sciences SL 5 KAHHS:1000Z 3 - Swahili B HL/SL 4-7 LANG:1000Z 6-12 based on score - Theatre HL 4 THEATRE: 1000HE & THEATRE: 1000HE 6 HE Theatre SL 5 THEATRE: 1000HE 3 HE Visual Arts HL 4 ART:1000HE 6 HE Visual Arts SL 5 ART:1000HE 3 HE 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.

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.