200.2 Advanced Placement Program (AP)

Date Adopted: 3/1999
Date Last Revised: 01/11/2024
References: BOR Policy 301.19
Issuing Office: Academic Affairs
Approved By:  Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

1. Policy

   The University of Montana Western allows the awarding of college credit to individuals who pass Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) with a score of 3 or higher.

2. Purpose

   AP exams can be used by individuals to verify/demonstrate knowledge and earn college credit by completing advanced high school courses and passing standardized examinations.

3. Procedures

   1. Individuals who are unconditionally accepted for admission to UMW and who are currently enrolled are eligible to earn AP credit.
   2. AP courses/test attempts must be recent (taken within the past three years) and verifiable.
   3. Official AP score reports should be sent to UMW after a student has been admitted. “Official” score reports (sent directly from The College Board to UMW) can be requested by writing: AP Program, PO Box 6671, Princeton NJ 08541-6671, or call (609) 771-7300. AP score reports submitted by individuals are considered unofficial and will not be accepted.
   4. AP credits do not count as part of class load for financial aid purposes, athletic or extracurricular eligibility, or classification as a student at UMW.
   5. AP is considered a nontraditional source for credit. A maximum of 30 credits from all nontraditional sources is applicable to a baccalaureate degree (15 credits for an associate degree) at UMW. Other graduate requirement limitations may apply.
   6. No AP credits will be awarded if an individual has previously attempted or is currently attempting a college course that is similar to the AP exam scores submitted for evaluation. AP credit is deducted from cumulative credit earned if a student enrolls and completes a similar college-level course.
   7. Credit awarded for AP exams are graded “P” (Pass). Consult the UMW Catalog regarding the maximum number of GPA-neutral credits that may be applied to a degree at UMW.
   8. AP credits do not meet UMW residency requirements, and are considered lower-level credit for graduation purposes.
   9. Academic department chairs and the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs will determine the exact UMW courses for which various AP courses/exams may substitute. Credit awarded through AP is equivalent to the approved substituted course
   10. The Registrar’s Office will post approved AP credits to the academic records of qualified individuals free of charge.
   11. UMW officials reserve the right to revise this policy with notice. Credits awarded for AP are done according to the policy in effect at the time of the AP transcript evaluation.
   12. This policy applies to UMW only. Other institutions are not obligated to accept AP credits awarded or recognized by UMW.

   13. Authority

       Montana University System Policy 301.19 Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

4. Responsibility

   Registrar, Department Chairs, Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs