Do AP credits from community college transfer to university?

I'm using my AP credits at my local community college, and I'm hoping they will transfer when I move on to a four-year university. What is the usual process for ensuring AP credits are accepted at the next institution?

AP credits are generally evaluated in two stages during the college transfer process. First, your community college takes the AP Exam scores and grants you credit, which usually involves passing the AP Exam with a certain minimum score (which can vary by college and by subject). The credit you receive might count towards your general education requirements, electives, or even specific courses in your major, depending on the policies of your community college.

When you transfer to a four-year university, that university will then generally evaluate your transcript from the community college, rather than your original AP scores. The type of credit you receive at the university will depend on how they interpret the courses on your community college transcript. They might give you credit for specific courses, general education requirements, or electives, but this will vary depending on the university's policies and the specific courses in question.

However, some universities may require you to submit your original AP scores for consideration, particularly if you're trying to get credit for a specific course in your major or if you're trying to place into more advanced courses.

The key here is to diligently communicate with both your community college and prospective four-year universities. It can be extremely beneficial to reach out to the admissions or registrar offices at both institutions to understand their specific AP and transfer credit policies. This will help ensure maximum credit transfer and avoid any surprise, last-minute complications.

In summary, AP credits from community colleges can generally be transferred to universities but it involves careful checking with both institutions to ensure the credit is transferred appropriately.