Courses taken prior to matriculation at Duke, as well as credit earned at another institution, or while on non-Duke study away programs have the potential to be transferred to a student's Duke academic record. It is very important that students read all applicable policies and follow all established procedures in order for the university to consider the applicability of the courses against the Duke student record.
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and other International Placement Credit (IPC) scores received through recognized programs (i.e., College Board, IBO) should be submitted directly to the Office of the University Registrar. Information on how to submit scores can be found below. We recommend that scores be submitted prior to first-year registration, but there is no submission deadline except prior to graduation. No approval is necessary to have AP/IB/IPC scores added to a student's record. Specific information regarding the applicability of AP/IB/IPC credit to a Duke student's record can be found on the appropriate school website—Trinity or Pratt.
Student self-reported AP scores submitted to, and entered by, Undergraduate Admissions are not eligible for Duke equivalent course credit. All AP scores must come directly from College Board to Duke University.
How to Submit Scores
Advanced Placement (AP)
Go to the following link and follow the instructions to begin the submit process:
https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/score-reporting
Duke University's four digit code: 5156
Log in to the following link to send your scores to Duke University:
https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/#m=signin-form&scores
If your last AP Exam was over four years ago, follow College Board's directions for archived scores.
International Baccalaureate (IBO)
Go to this IBO link to have your exam scores submitted to Duke University: https://internationalbaccalaureate.force.com/ibportal/IBPortalLogin
To submit your transcript request electronically, visit https://rrs.ibo.org/replacement_orders.
International Placement Credit (IPC)
International Placement Credit varies by country. We will accept a copy of the official test score transcript directly from the student as they are typically the only recipient of their score report. Depending on the IPC and country, we will determine whether or not what the student provides is sufficient on a case-by-case basis and contact them if we have further requirements. Approved international exams can be found on your appropriate school website—Trinity or Pratt.
College credit earned at another institution of higher education while enrolled as a high school student may qualify as credit that can be transferred to Duke. Duke policy requires that a student provide the following documentation in support of a request to transfer college-level work completed prior to high school graduation:
- Transcripts: An official transcript bearing the Registrar's seal, or its equivalent, from the college or university.
- Course Descriptions: Detailed course descriptions or syllabi for all courses taken to enable course evaluation.
- College/University Confirmation: Confirmation from the college or university that the courses were
a) taught on the college or university campus and not at an off-campus location,
b) taught by a regular member of the college or university faculty,
c) taken in competition with degree candidates of the college or university, and
d) offered as a regular part of the curriculum of the college or university.
(Provide the Prematriculation Credit College form for completion by the college or university.) - High School Confirmation: Confirmation from the high school principal or guidance counselor that the course(s) were not used to satisfy high school graduation requirements.
(Provide the Prematriculation Credit High School form for completion by your high school.)
All supporting documentation for students admitted to the Pratt School of Engineering or the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences should be submitted to:
Office of the University Registrar
1121 W. Main Street, Suite 1200
Duke University
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 684-2813
Email: registrar@duke.edu
Additional Policies
- Courses taken after the commencement of the junior year of high school in which you received a grade of B- or better DO TRANSFER if there is a Duke equivalent course.
- Courses taken prior to the commencement of the junior year of high school DO NOT TRANSFER.
- Courses taken by correspondence (i.e. online) DO NOT TRANSFER.
COVID-19 Exception: Pre-matriculation credits which students took at colleges and universities prior to attending Duke may be earned from online courses if taken during the COVID-19 pandemic (Spring 2020-Summer 2021) provided they were courses which are normally taught face-to-face. All other policies for pre-matriculation credits apply. - Study Abroad Program courses completed prior to matriculation at Duke DO NOT TRANSFER.
- English composition courses DO NOT TRANSFER (Duke's University Writing course is required of all students).
- Mathematics courses below calculus DO NOT TRANSFER; calculus courses must be at the Duke level to transfer.
- A maximum of two courses taken by extension may transfer.
- Prematriculation credits are not given Area of Knowledge or Mode of Inquiry codes and may not be used to fulfill curriculum requirements or continuation requirements.
Students who are interested in participating in study abroad programs should contact Global Education for Undergraduate Students.
Not all Duke graduate/professional schools grant transfer credit. Consult with your school for policies and procedures regarding transfer credit.
If you are considering taking a course at another college or university and hope to transfer it to your Duke academic record, read the information on transfer credit as found in Trinity's T-Reqs or Pratt's Policies and Procedures before confirming your plans.
Once you have confirmed your intention to move forward, do the following:
- Pick up a "Tentative Approval of Courses" form from your Academic Dean.
- Assemble supporting documentation:
- an official description of the course(s) you propose to take
- a copy of the course schedule bulletin from the institution you will be attending that clearly indicates the meeting times and days for the course, along with a copy of the academic calendar
- Secure approval of content by presenting the "Tentative Approval of Courses" form and the assembled supporting documentation to the appropriate Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for their review. The DUS will sign the form if the content of the course is deemed equivalent to a Duke course.
- Bring the signed "Tentative Approval of Courses" form, along with the supporting documentation, to your academic dean's office. The dean will review your materials to ensure that the course is equivalent to a Duke "semester course credit" and will specify the amount of credit that can be transferred to Duke upon completion of the course. *When your academic dean signs the "Tentative Approval of Courses" form, the pre-approval process is complete.
- Complete the approved course(s) at the visited institution and arrange for the visited institution to send an official electronic or hard-copy transcript directly to the Office of the University Registrar. Hard copies must be sent in a sealed envelope.
- You must earn a C- or better to receive Duke credit for work completed at another US university. Your grade, however, will not be recorded at Duke and will not be included in your GPA.
For a more detailed look at transfer credit and the various forms needed, go to Pratt Policies & Procedures or Trinity T-Reqs.
If you plan on studying abroad you will need to contact the Global Education Office for Undergraduates.
If you took college courses in your junior or senior year of high school and want them to be on your Duke read the information regarding Prematriculation Credit to see what is required.
If you have International Placement or AP credit, Pratt students should visit here, while Trinity students should go here.