Registrar
Registrar / Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer a maximum of 64 semester hours, or 96 quarter hours, toward a Willamette degree. In most cases, courses taken at regionally accredited colleges or universities will receive full credit if they are comparable to courses offered at Willamette, or otherwise consistent with the goals and standards of Willamette's undergraduate degree programs. Courses with grades below C- (C minus) will not receive credit. Transfer courses are not used in computing the Willamette University grade point average. To be eligible for transfer credit, college courses must be described in the college catalog and recorded on the college transcript.

Once matriculated at Willamette University, students must submit a Transfer Credit Request form prior to enrolling in proposed transfer courses. 

At least 60 semester hours must be earned in residence at Willamette University, and at least 32 of the final 40 semester hours must be earned in residence or in Willamette-sponsored off-campus study programs.

  • In most cases, college credits earned prior to secondary school graduation, including those earned in concurrent (or dual) enrollment programs, will receive full transfer credit.

    Willamette University encourages student participation in the Advanced Placement (AP) program sponsored by the College Board, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment programs. No college credit is granted for College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Many AP scores of "4" and "5" will be granted a minimum of 4 credits. Willamette will grant 4 credits for many IB Higher Level examinations passed with a score of "5" and up to 8 credits for many Higher Level exams passed with a score of "6" or "7". Willamette will also grant 4 additional credits to students who earn the full IB Diploma with a score of 30 or above. Willamette maintains current listings of AP and IB course equivalencies.

    For students admitted as first year students, no more than 32 credits will be awarded for courses taken prior to matriculation. This includes college, AP, IB, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment credits.

    Students should consult the Office of the Registrar with any questions regarding the transferability of credits.

  • Satisfaction of specific general education requirements will be determined on the basis of a course-by-course evaluation of the transcript(s). Please note that at the time of admission, the fulfillment of general education requirements is assessed. Any upper level transfer credit that is major or minor specific may be granted by the respective department after matriculation.

    Associate of Arts (AA) Degree

    • Students admitted as a transfer student with an Associate of Arts degree (AA) from an accredited community college will automatically be granted 60 semester hours (junior standing) upon entrance. Please note that this does not guarantee the satisfaction of all general education requirements.
    • Students will still be required to fulfill the upper-division writing-center course, the study in a language other than English, the World Engagement, and Power Difference and Equity requirement.
    • The language requirement may be satisfied by transferring in language courses, or by taking a placement exam after matriculation and demonstrating intermediate proficiency.

    Associate of Science (AS) Degree

    • Students admitted as transfer students with an Associate of Science (AS) degree from an accredited institution will automatically be granted 60 semester hours (junior standing) upon entrance.
    • AS students will have satisfied many general education requirements, leaving the upper-division writing-centered course, the study in a language other than English, World Engagement, and Power Difference and Equity requirement.
    • The language requirement may be satisfied by transferring in language courses, or by taking a placement exam after matriculation and demonstrating intermediate proficiency.

    Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) Degree

    • Students admitted as transfer students with an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree from an accredited institution will automatically be granted 60 semester hours (junior standing) upon entrance.
    • AAOT students will have satisfied many general education requirements, leaving the upper-division writing-centered course, the study in a language other than English, World Engagement, and Power Difference and Equity requirement.
    • The language requirement may be satisfied by transferring in language courses, or by taking a placement exam after matriculation and demonstrating intermediate proficiency.

    Associate of Science Oregon Transfer Computer Science (ASOT-CS) degree

    • Students admitted as transfer students with an Associate of Science Oregon Transfer Computer Science (ASOT-CS) degree from an accredited institution will automatically be granted 60 semester hours (junior standing) upon entrance.
    • Upon presentation of syllabi and grades from a completed ASOT-CS program, the Computer Science department may accept a student’s completed introductory courses, taken from an accredited institution, in place of the CS 151 —> CS 152 introductory sequence. Once the student enrolls at Willamette and declares a computer science major, they may send their syllabi and grades to the Chair of the Computer Science Department for evaluation.
    • ASOT-CS students will have satisfied many general education requirements, leaving the upper-division writing-centered course, the study in a language other than English, World Engagement, and Power Difference and Equity requirement.
    • The language requirement may be satisfied by transferring in language courses, or by taking a placement exam after matriculation and demonstrating intermediate proficiency.

    Tokyo International University (TIU) Scholarship Exchange Program

    • Students transferring from Tokyo International University in the Scholarship Exchange Program will automatically be granted 64 semester hour credits (junior standing) upon entrance.

  • Any student receiving GI Bill® education benefits while attending Willamette University is required to obtain transcripts from military training and all previously attended schools and submit them to the school for review of prior credit.

  • Willamette University encourages student participation in the Advanced Placement (AP) program sponsored by the College Board and the International Baccalaureate program. No college credit is granted for College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

    All AP scores of "4" and "5" will be granted a minimum of 4 credits. For a current listing of AP course equivalencies, visit our Advanced Placement (AP) Test Credit Granting Policy webpage. Willamette will grant 4 credits for each IB Higher Level examination passed with a score of "5" and 8 credits each for Higher Level exams passed with a score of "6" or "7." Willamette will also grant 4 additional credits to students who earn the full IB Diploma with a score of 30 or above. For a current listing of IB course equivalencies, visit our International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit Granting Policy webpage.

    A maximum of 32 credits total may be earned from the AP and IB programs. This credit may be applied to major and minor programs with the approval of the academic departments concerned. Credit earned based on AP or IB scores may not be used to satisfy general education requirements.

    College credits earned prior to secondary school graduation in concurrent enrollment programs may transfer to Willamette University.  However, such courses must be more advanced in the discipline than courses normally offered at the secondary school. In order to be eligible for transfer, college courses must be described in the college catalog and be recorded on the college transcript.  Credits that apply to the secondary school diploma cannot be applied a second time to the baccalaureate degree.

    In preparing for enrollment at Willamette University, secondary school students should have four years of college preparatory study including English, mathematics, foreign languages, history or social studies, and laboratory science. Secondary school students who take college courses that are replacements for courses available in their secondary school are considered to be doing their college preparatory work outside the secondary school curriculum, rather than accumulating credit toward the baccalaureate degree. Therefore, introductory courses taken at a college instead of a secondary school are viewed as college preparatory and not transferable. Credits that apply to secondary school diploma cannot be applied a second time to the baccalaureate degree.

    Secondary school students should consult the Office of the Registrar with any questions regarding the transferability of college credits. No more than 32 credits will be awarded for courses that a student completed prior to secondary school graduation.

    For incoming Freshmen with advanced standing, a maximum of 32 credits can be transferred. This includes AP/IB and college transfer credits.

AP and IB Testing

Credit Granting Policies

  • Credit Granting Policy

    As of May 1, 2026

    Willamette College Willamette College Pacific Northwest College of Art
    Test Name Credit for "4" Score (4 Credits) Credit for "5" Score (4 Credits) Credit for "4" OR "5" Score (3 Credits)
    African American Studies AES 100** AES 100** IS 200
    Art – Drawing ARTS 100** ARTS 100** FD 105
    Art - 2D Design ARTS 100** ARTS 100** FD 101
    Art - 3D Design ARTS 100** ARTS 100** FD 111
    Art History ARTH 100** ARTH 100** IS 101
    Biology BIOL 100** BIOL 100** IS 106
    Chemistry CHEM 115 CHEM 115 IS 106
    Chinese Language and Culture Satisfies the non-English language requirement Satisfies the non-English language requirement N/A
    Computer Science A CS 100** CS 100** ACP 100
    Computer Science Principles CS 100** CS 100** ACP 100
    Economics/Macro ECON 100** ECON 100** ACP 200
    Economics/Micro ECON 100** ECON 100** ACP 100
    English Language/Composition ENGL 100** ENGL 100** IS 101
    English Literature/Composition ENGL 100** ENGL 100** IS 101
    Environmental Science ENVS 100** ENVS 100** IS 106
    French Language and Culture
    		 Satisfies the non-English language requirement Satisfies the non-English language requirement N/A
    German Language and Culture Satisfies the non-English language requirement Satisfies the non-English language requirement N/A
    History: European HIST 100** HIST 100** IS 200
    History: United States HIST 100** HIST 100** IS 200
    History: World History: Modern HIST 100** HIST 100** IS 200
    Human Geography ENVS 100** ENVS 100** IS 200
    Italian Language and Culture Satisfies the non-English language requirement Satisfies the non-English language requirement N/A
    Japanese Language and Culture Satisfies the non-English language requirement Satisfies the non-English language requirement N/A
    Latin Satisfies the non-English language requirement Satisfies the non-English language requirement N/A
    Math: Calculus AB MATH 150@ MATH 150@ ACP 100
    Math: Calculus BC MATH 152@ MATH 152@ ACP 100
    Math: Precalculus MATH 100** MATH 100** ACP 100
    Music Theory MUSC 100** MUSC 100** N/A
    Physics I PHYS 100** PHYS 100** IS 220Q
    Physics II PHYS 100** PHYS 100** IS 220Q
    Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism PHYS 222 PHYS 222 IS 220Q
    Physics C: Mechanics
    		 PHYS 221 PHYS 221 IS 220Q
    Politics: Comparative Govt. & Politics INTST 205 INTST 205 IS 200
    Politics: Gov't/Politics of U.S. PPLE 100** PPLE 100** IS 200
    Psychology PSYC 210 PSYC 210 IS 200
    Spanish Language and Culture
    		 Satisfies the non-English language requirement Satisfies the non-English language requirement N/A
    Spanish Literature and Culture
    		 SPAN 100** SPAN 100** N/A
    Statistics MATH 138 MATH 138 ACP 100


    NOTES:

    • Willamette College: These course credits do not satisfy Distribution (2020+) or Mode of Inquiry (2018 and prior catalog years) general education requirements, except as allowed below for Mathematical Sciences (2018 and prior catalog years).
    • Willamette College For students admitted as first year students, no more than 32 credits will be awarded for courses taken prior to matriculation. This includes college, AP, IB, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment credits.
    • Pacific Northwest College of Art: No more than 72 credits will be awarded for courses taken prior to matriculation. This includes college, AP, IB, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment credits.
    • All course equivalencies listed above have a value of 4 credits at Willamette College and 3 credits at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Scores of "3" or below will not be given credit. Credit is not granted for subscores.

    For information on exams not listed above, or if you have other questions, please contact:

    University Registrar,
    Willamette University
    900 State Street,
    Salem OR 97301

    ** Non-major credit in these departments. Contact departments regarding possible assignment of specific course equivalencies in these areas.

    @ Credit for these courses may be applied toward the Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning (2018 and prior catalog years) requirement.

  • Credit Granting Policy

    As of May 1, 2026

    Willamette College Willamette College PACIFIC NORTHWEST College OF ART
    Test Name Credit for "5" Higher Level
    (2-4 credits)    		 Credit for "6,7" Higher Level
    (up to 8 credits)    		 Credit for "5,6,7" Higher Level
    (3 credits)
    Anthropology: Social and Cultural ANTH 100** (4) ANTH 100** (8) IS 200
    Arabic: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Biology BIOL 100** (4) BIOL 100** (8) IS 220Q
    Business & Management BUS 100** (4) BUS 100** (4) ACP 200
    Chemistry CHEM 115 (4) CHEM 115 (4); CHEM 100** (4) IS 220Q
    Chinese: Language B (Cantonese or Mandarin) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) CHNSE 231 (4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Computer Science CS 100** (4) CS 100** (8) ACP 100
    Dance THTR 100 (4) THTR 100 (4) N/A
    Danish: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Design Tech. ARTS 100** (4) ARTS 100** (8) N/A
    Dutch: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Economics ECON 100** (4) ECON 100** (8) ACP 100
    English B GEN 100^^ (4) GEN 100^^ (8) N/A
    Film CINE 100** (4) CINE 100** (8) IS 200
    Finnish: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    French: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) FREN 231 (4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Geography N/A N/A IS 200
    German: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) GERM 231 (4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Global Politics INTST 100** (4) INTST 100** (4) IS 200
    Greek (Classical Languages) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) GEN 100 (4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Hindi: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    History of Africa and the Middle East, Americas, Asia/Oceania, Europe HIST 100**(4) HIST 100** (8) IS 200
    Indonesian: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Information Technology in a Global Society N/A N/A ACP 100
    Italian: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Japanese A: Literature JAPN 100** (4) JAPN 100** (8) N/A
    Japanese: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) JAPN 231 (4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Korean: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Language A: Language and Literature ENGL 100** (4) ENGL 100** (8) IS 200
    Language A: Literature
    		 ENGL 100** (4) ENGL 100** (8) IS 200
    Latin (Classical Languages) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) GEN 100 (4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches MATH 100** (2) MATH 100** (4) ACP 100
    Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations MATH 151@ (2) MATH 151@ (2); MATH 100** (4) ACP 100
    Music MUSC 100** (4) MUSC 100** (8) N/A
    Norwegian: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Philosophy N/A N/A IS 200
    Physics PHYS 221@ (4) PHYS 221@ (4); PHYS 100** (4) IS 220Q
    Portuguese: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Psychology PSYCH 210 (4) PSYCH 210 (4) IS 200
    Russian: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) RUSS 231(4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Spanish A: Language and Literature Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); SPAN 100** (4) N/A
    Spanish: Language B
    		 Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) SPAN 231(4); Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) N/A
    Swedish: Language B Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4) Satisfies the non-English language requirement (4); GEN 100(4) N/A
    Theatre THTR 110 (4) THTR 110 (8) N/A
    Theory of Knowledge GEN 100** (2) GEN 100** (2) N/A
    Visual Arts ARTS 100** (4) ARTS 100** (8) IS 101

    NOTES:

    • Willamette College: These course credits do not satisfy Distribution (2020+) or Mode of Inquiry (2018 and prior catalog years) general education requirements, except as allowed below for Mathematical Sciences (2018 and prior catalog years).
    • Willamette College: For students admitted as first year students, no more than 32 credits will be awarded for courses taken prior to matriculation. This includes college, AP, IB, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment credits.
    • Pacific Northwest College of Art: No more than 72 credits will be awarded for courses taken prior to matriculation. This includes college, AP, IB, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment credits.
    • Credit is not granted for Higher Level scores of "4" or below, or for any Standard Level scores.
    • At Willamette College, 4 credits are awarded for IB Diploma with a score of 30+, listed as GEN 101 (Theory of Knowledge).
    • At the Pacific Northwest College of Art, no credit is awarded for the IB Diploma.

    For information on tests not listed above, or if you have other questions, contact:

    University Registrar,
    Willamette University
    900 State Street,
    Salem OR 97301

    KEY:

    ** Non-major elective credit.

    @ Credit for these courses may be applied toward the Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning (2018 and prior catalog years) requirement.

    ^^ Credit granted for students who have not had English-medium education in their primary and secondary schools.