H.R. 6973 — COURSE Credit Act

This section requires the Secretary of Education to collect and annually report on the College Scorecard website (or successor) information on each institution of higher education's treatment of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam credits toward a degree. The report must include (1) whether the institution awards such credits; (2) if so, the maximum credits per student and program of study, minimum exam scores required (and any variations by subject or program), and types of credit provided (i.e., full course credit, elective credit, or course exemption, including any variations by degree program); and (3) any other relevant policy information. The Secretary must coordinate with stakeholders, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System technical review panel.

This section requires each institution of higher education participating in programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to publish, in a prominent location on its public website, detailed information on its policies for treating Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores toward degree credits—including whether credits are awarded; if so, the maximum number of credits per program of study, minimum scores required (and variations by subject or program), types of credit provided (e.g., full course credit, elective credit, or course exemption, including variations by program); and any other relevant policy details—with updates as necessary to remain accurate. (AP and IB exams enable high school students to earn college credits based on exam performance.) The section also adds these institutional policies to the list of student financial aid and institutional information that participating institutions must annually disclose and make readily available to enrolled and prospective students.