Earn College Credit in High School

Start strong—get a head start on your degree by earning college credit before you graduate.
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Get a Head Start on Your College Degree

High school students have several options to earn college credit that may transfer to UW-Stout and count toward your degree. These opportunities can help you graduate faster, save money, and experience college-level coursework early.

UW-Stout accepts credit from Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Project Lead The Way (PLTW), and actual college courses completed through programs like the Early College Credit Program, Start College Now, or dual enrollment offerings.

High School College Credit Programs

Use the options below to explore how each program works and how credits may transfer to UW-Stout.

Advanced Placement (AP)

UW-Stout awards course exemptions and college credit for qualifying scores through the College Board Advancement Placement (AP) Program. Credit is awarded for exam grades of 3, 4 or 5.

Review the AP credit chart to see how AP credit will be awarded.

To earn AP credit, students must have their official AP grade report sent directly to the Admissions Office from the College Board. For more information on grade reporting services, visit the https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores. UW-Stout’s AP code is 1740.

Credit for College Coursework

Students who take college courses prior to high school graduation will receive advanced credit as long as the credit is:

  1. Transferable
  2. Earned at an Accredited College
  3. Listed on an Official Transcript (Generated by the Credit-Granting University)

To be awarded credit at UW-Stout, enrolling students must have their official college-level transcript(s) sent directly to UW-Stout Undergraduate Admissions as the recipient.

By MailElectronically
Admissions Office
UW-Stout
212 Sorensen Hall
121 10th Ave E
Menomonie, WI  54751

Must be submitted directly to UW-Stout Undergraduate Admissions from the institution.

We cannot accept faxed or emailed transcripts. 

If prompted for an email, please send your transcript to admissions@uwstout.edu.

Students taking courses in which they may ultimately earn college credit may consult Transfer Wisconsin or Transferology directly to determine exactly how credit may be awarded. For specific questions contact the Transfer Team at transfer@uwstout.edu.

 

International Baccalaureate (IB)

UW-Stout awards advanced standing credits for scores of 4–7 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) higher-level and subsidiary-level exams.

Review the IB credit chart to see how credit will be awarded.

IB transcripts must be sent directly to the Admissions Office from the IB Organization.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

Secondary school students who successfully complete Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses may apply for transcripted college credit from UW-Stout.

Learn more about PLTW

Interested in taking courses at UW-Stout while you're still in high school?

If you're planning to earn college credit directly through UW-Stout—whether through the Early College Credit Program (ECCP), High School Special, or other dual enrollment options—visit our How to Apply as a Non-Degree-Seeking Student page for application steps and eligibility details.

How to Apply: Non-Degree-Seeking Students

Earn college credit while in high school or explore courses without committing to a degree—learn how to apply as a non-degree seeking student at UW-Stout.
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Already graduated or looking for credit beyond high school?

If you have work experience, military training, or other prior learning outside of a traditional classroom, you may be able to earn credit through UW-Stout’s Credit for Prior Learning options.

Credit for Prior Learning

Get credit for prior learning, including volunteer work, military service, professional development, and more.
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