AP, CLEP, IB, and Transfer Credits

You can transfer credits earned in language courses at other institutions to MSU. Credits can be transferred, based on program, in two ways:

Direct transfer credits: your credits will transfer from your previous institution to the equivalent course at MSU. For instance, a direct transfer of German 101 from the University of Michigan will transfer directly German 101 at MSU. 

General Credit Units (GCUs): some programs count transfer credits as GCUs. GCUs count toward the total 120 credit graduation requirement at MSU. They do not automatically count toward a particular major or minor. Some programs allow students to count GCUs toward their major or minor, often in consultation with the program coordinator and language program advisors. 

See the table below for an overview of how programs count transfer credits. There are often limits to the number of credits that can be transferred to MSU and how many of these can be counted toward a degree program or minor. See the MSU Admissions Office’s page on transfer credits for more details. 

MSU has standardized program equivalencies for students entering MSU with AP test scores as well as for students who have participated in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or an International Baccalaureate (IB) Program.  

Please see the links below for MSU official equivalencies policies for AP, CLEP, and IB. See MSU policies for advanced credit on the Admissions Office page.

Transfer credits do not count as a placement assessment. Please see the policies regarding placement assessment on the placement assessment page.

The AP, CLEP, and IB equivalences linked below will indicate the level at which a student should enter a language program.