The following US states and systems have established Cambridge International policies to support equity and access in higher education.
Arizona
Since 2010, the Arizona initiative Move On When Ready (MOWR) has partnered with Cambridge International to prepare Arizona students for college and career through student-centered, competency-based learning. Arizona students can earn a Grand Canyon Diploma by passing a series of Cambridge exams to show college readiness.
In addition, the Arizona Board of Regents policy requires all 4-year public institutions to align their scores and the amount of credit awarded across all three universities. They also require evidence-based reasons if credit is not granted.
Learn about Arizona’s Cambridge International policy.
Florida
Since 2001 Florida has embraced Cambridge International to improve student outcomes and encourage achievement. Public colleges and universities in Florida are required to award the minimum recommended credit as designated for Cambridge International AS & A Level exams (which comprise the Cambridge AICE Diploma). Up to 45 total credit-by-exam credits may be awarded for guaranteed transfer.
Through the Bright Futures Scholarship, Florida students who complete the Cambridge AICE Diploma, along with other requirements, qualify for free tuition at Florida state colleges.
Learn about Florida’s Cambridge International policy. (For users located outside USA (PDF, 850KB))
Indiana
All public colleges and universities in the state of Indiana will award college credit to students earning a score of E or higher on AS & A Level exams. This gives Cambridge International AS & A Level courses the same grade weighting as other advanced courses offered to high school students.
Maryland
Per HB966 of the 2022 legislative session, by October 1, 2022, public institutions of higher education must determine grades for awarding academic credit for the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma Program examinations. The policies and procedures must indicate how academic credit will be awarded and include procedures related to transferring academic credits awarded from prior learning examinations to another public institution of higher education. Each public institution and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) must post the policies and procedures.
Read Maryland's legislation: Academic Credit for Prior Learning Examinations - Policies and Procedures.
Mississippi
In 2019, the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) voted to add a credit-by-exam award policy for Cambridge International AS & A Level exams to the list of Accelerated Programs receiving such credit at all public institutions of higher education in the state. The policy emphasizes credit for college courses on the common transfer matrix so that students may easily transfer credits awarded by the community college to a four-year institution.
Learn about Mississippi’s policies for Dual Enrollment & Advanced Placement Cambridge International policy.
New York
The City University of New York (CUNY) policy was established by Board approval, and is cited on the CUNY system website, Credit for Prior Learning (cuny.edu). CUNY designates that for Cambridge International AS & A Level exams, credits shall be awarded for grades of E or better (US equivalent of C or better).
See CUNY’s Cambridge International policies.
North Carolina
In November 2019, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors voted to award undergraduate course credit for certain scores on Cambridge International AS & A Level exams across all institutions in the system, beginning in fall 2020. This new policy recognizes that it is in the best interest of students, and the state, that any student demonstrating achievement in advanced coursework such as Cambridge International, receive credit so that they can complete a degree in a timely manner. Additionally, the policy recognizes that students and parents deserve clear and consistent information regarding the awarding of undergraduate credit and requires that institutions make such information easily available through websites and catalogs.
In addition, institutions in the North Carolina Community College System will now award college credit to any student earning an E grade on Cambridge International Advanced examinations, giving AS & A Level courses the same college credit opportunities as other advanced courses offered to students.
Learn more:
Pennsylvania
In 2022, the PA General Assembly approved HB 1642, establishing secondary course weighting similar to other advanced academic programs, and instructing PA public Institutions of Higher Education to include Cambridge International Assessment in the award of college credit for AS and A levels.
Read Pennsylvania House Bill 1642.
South Carolina
In March 2021, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) established that each public institution of higher education shall give credit in appropriate Cambridge International courses for scores of E or higher on a Cambridge International Advanced AS & A Level examination.
Virginia
Under 2015 legislation, all public institutions of higher education in Virginia award college course credit for qualifying scores on both Cambridge International AS & A Level exams. The purpose of this policy is to assist the state of Virginia in meeting its higher education completion goals:
- maximize students’ ability to earn college credit consistent with institutions’ academic standards;
- enhance transparency for Virginia students seeking course credit for prior learning;
- contribute to lower costs for Virginia families by enhancing students’ ability to complete a degree in a timely manner;
- improve the college transfer environment; and
- support quality of undergraduate education at Virginia public institutions.
Read about Virginia’s Cambridge International policy.
Washington
Across the state of Washington colleges and universities accept Cambridge International for admission, and most award college credit for qualifying exam grades. Legislation passed in Washington state requires all public two- and four-year colleges and universities to award credit for Cambridge International AS & A Level courses at the grade of e/E or above for general education/transfer courses, requiring evidence-based reasons if not granted.
Learn more about Washington state’s Cambridge International policies.
Scholarships
In addition to scholarships offered by individual institutions, two states have linked Cambridge International performance to scholarship opportunities.
- Florida Bright Futures Scholarship: Students who receive the Cambridge AICE Diploma and meet other requirements can receive full tuition at public Florida state colleges and universities.
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES): Kentucky students who earn the KEES scholarship and have been eligible for free or reduced‐price lunch during any year of high school can earn a supplemental award when they receive qualifying scores on Cambridge International AS & A Level exams.
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