Academic Credits

Students may be awarded credits for coursework completed prior to college through the combination of advanced placement examinations, transfer credit from other institutions, International Baccalaureate, General Certificate of Education, and proficiency examinations. Credits earned through these methods are not computed in the cumulative grade-point average. The Office of Academic Services determines if such courses are transferrable and if so, how they apply to the student's degree requirements.

Advanced Placement

Degree credits are awarded for advanced placement examination scores of 4 and 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Examinations. Credits are not given for grades of 3, 2, or 1. School of Engineering does not grant credits for AP exams taken after high school.
Some students may find that these high school level courses do not provide the same foundational knowledge that is available through an introductory-level university course. Students are allowed, after consultation with an advisor, to waive the credits from the AP course to enable them to register for the introductory course in a particular academic discipline. This waiver must be requested in writing. If the student accepts the credits and subsequently enrolls in the same courses, the Advanced Placement credit will be deleted.
Students will need to request the College Board send an original copy of the scores to Rutgers in order for credit to be granted. Rutgers' CEEB code is 2765. The scores will then be sent electronically to Rutgers and we will be able to access your scores.
Click here for a list of Advanced placement exams and scores, and the Rutgers degree credit that is awarded based on those scores.

College Credits Completed While In High School

Under New Jersey state law, certain approved courses in high school may be taken for college credit. Students must take the Rutgers placement tests to facilitate timely registration. Beginning in Fall 2025, if a math course transfers as equivalent to a math course at Rutgers, it will supersede the placement test results.
Students should consult with an advisor at their Academic Planning and Advising event to determine if these credits provide adequate background as a prerequisite to the next level of coursework at SOE.
Courses taken through Rutgers University: In most cases, courses taken during high school at Rutgers or through programs offered by Rutgers appear directly on the student's Rutgers transcript. Credits are calculated into the degree credit total and grades are included in the grade point average. Upon student request, an E-prefix can be added to courses taken during high school, indicating that the courses do not count in the degree credit total, the grade is not included in the grade point average, and the course cannot be used to meet any degree requirements.
Courses taken through New Jersey Community Colleges: njtransfer.org can be used to determine transferability of courses by selecting Rutgers-School of Engineering as the 'Transfer To' institution. Please note: Students with mathematics and or writing courses on a college transcript must take the Rutgers placement tests to facilitate timely registration. Beginning in Fall 2025, if a math course transfers as equivalent to a course at Rutgers, it will supersede placement. Transcripts must be sent directly from the college through which credit was earned; transcripts provided by students or high school transcripts cannot be used to award credit.
Courses taken elsewhere: Beginning in Fall 2025, if a math course transfers as equivalent to a course at Rutgers, it will supersede placement. Transcripts must be sent directly from the college through which credit was earned; transcripts provided by students or high school transcripts cannot be used to award credit.
Sending transcripts:
- Most students will have their college transcripts sent directly to University Enrollment Services. You may also request to have an Official Transcript from the college you attended to be sent directly to our office at the address below, or emailed electronically to fyadvising@soe.rutgers.edu

Rutgers School of Engineering
Office of Academic Services
98 Brett Road, Room B100
Piscataway, NJ 08854-4092

Taking Summer Courses Before Your First Semester

Students enrolling in the schools across Rutgers-New Brunswick are not required nor recommended to take summer session courses before your first year.

It is impossible to be behind when you haven't even started! During the summer months, we will determine your course eligibility via placement test results, AP scores and dual-enrollment evaluations, and other moving pieces to help you prepare and register for a successful Fall semester.

We will not approve courses at Rutgers or a community college during this time of transition, save for when a student's math placement or other circumstances would compromise their degree progress. Review your SOE Canvas course for more information.

Beginning in Summer 2026, we will be glad to support your registration in Rutgers Summer Session, or pre-approve county college summer session.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations

The School of Engineering recognizes the rigor of the International Baccalaureate program and grants college credit for students who demonstrate strong performance (scores of 7, 6 and 5) on Higher Level exams. Credit is not given for grades of 4 or lower or for Subsidiary/Standard Level exams. Please remember to also indicate on the pre-registration form that you have IB credits. For specifics on course credit granted for IB credits, please visit Rutgers SAS information page on IB credits. Please send official examination report to:

University Enrollment Services Admissions Processing
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
65 Davidson Road, Room 308
Piscataway, NJ 08854

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examination

The School of Engineering recognizes the rigor of the General Certificate of Education (GCE) program and grants college credit for students who demonstrate an academic qualification in the Advanced Level (A Level). No credit is awarded from the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) or Ordinary Level (O Level). For specifics on course credit granted, please visit Rutgers SAS information page on A-levels Exams . Please send official examination report to:

University Enrollment Services Admissions Processing
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
65 Davidson Road, Room 308
Piscataway, NJ 08854

Proficiency Examinations

With a valid reason and prior experience giving foundation to support the request, students may satisfy prerequisites and sometimes earn credit through individual examinations offered by the academic departments of Rutgers.
Prior approval by the SOE and the appropriate academic department are required before seeking credit through examination; approval by the major department also is required for credit in the major field. The awarding of credits through these methods is uncommon and decisions are made on a course-by-course basis.

Courses Completed at Rutgers University

School of Engineering students are expected to register for classes offered on the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. Interunit registration for classes offered at the Rutgers-Newark and Rutgers-Camden campuses is not allowed during the Fall or Spring semester. Courses completed at other schools of Rutgers University appear directly on the student’s transcript and grades are included in the cumulative grade-point average. Because of differences in the structure of academic disciplines and in the details of requirements from unit to unit, there may be instances where specific courses may not be applicable to an SOE major or minor or distribution requirement.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

The School of Engineering does not grant degree credit for CLEP exams and MOOCs.