Palo Alto College
Academics
- Graduation RateNot available
- Majors Available68
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio39:1
- Retention Rate60%
AP Credit Policy
Students taking the AP test will earn equivalent college credit from any of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District when attaining the scores indicated and the credit is treated as equal to a grade of CR in the corresponding course (but is not included in GPA calculations). AP credit is not applied to the transcript until the student has successfully completed 6 regular college credits at any of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District and students may not earn more than forty-five (45) total hours from any testing equivalency source
For more information, view the credit policy on the college's website.
Offers credits
Yes
Offers placement into advanced courses
No
| AP Courses | Min Score Required | Number of Credits | Course Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTS 1311 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTS 1312 |
| Art History | 3 | 6 | ARTS 1303 & ARTS 1304 |
| Biology | 3 | 4 | BIOL 1406 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | MATH 2413 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 | MATH 2413 & 2414 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 3 | CHEM 1311 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 | COSC 1301 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | COSC 1301 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ARTS 1316 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 | ENGL 1301 & ENGL 1302 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 | ENGL 1301 & ENGL 1302 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | BIOL 2306 |
| European History | 3 | 6 | HIST 2311 & HIST 2312 |
| French Language and Culture | 5 | 14 | FREN 1411 & FREN 1412 & FREN 2311 & FREN 2312 |
| 4 | 11 | FREN 1411 & FREN 1412 & FREN 2311 | |
| 3 | 8 | FREN 1411 & FREN 1412 | |
| German Language and Culture | 5 | 14 | GERM 1411 & GERM 1412 & GERM 2311 & GERM 2312 |
| 4 | 11 | GERM 1411 & GERM 1412 & GERM 2311 | |
| 3 | 8 | GERM 1411 & GERM 1412 | |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEOG 1302 |
| Latin | 3 | 6 | LATI 1311 & LATI 1312 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 2301 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 2302 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 2 | MUSI 1211 or MUSI 1311 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 | PHYS 1401 or (PHYS 1301 & PHYS 1101) |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 4 | PHYS 1402 or (PHYS 1302 & PHYS 1102) |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | PHYS 2426 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | PHYS 2425 |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSYC 2301 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 11 | SPAN 1411 & SPAN 1412 & SPAN 2311 |
| 5 | 14 | SPAN 1411 & SPAN 1412 & SPAN 2311 & SPAN 2312 | |
| 3 | 8 | SPAN 1411 & SPAN 1412 | |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 14 | SPAN 1411 & SPAN 1412 & SPAN 2311 & SPAN 2312 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4 | MATH 1342 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | GOVT 2305 |
| United States History | 3 | 6 | HIST 1301 & 1302 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 | HIST 2321 & 2322 |
Study Options
Majors and Degrees
The college offers the following degrees: Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor's
A
- Accounting
- Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science, General
- Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General
- Agriculture, General
- Air Traffic Controller
- Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew
- Anthropology
- Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General
- Aviation/Airway Management and Operations
B
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
C
- Chemistry, General
- Civil Engineering, General
- Computer Programming/Programmer, General
- Computer Science
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Customer Service Support/Call Center/Teleservice Operation
D
- Dance, General
- Drama and Dramatics/Theater Arts, General
E
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Economics, General
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electromechanical/Electromechanical Engineering Technology/Technician
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Studies
F
- Fine/Studio Arts, General
- Floriculture/Floristry Operations and Management
- Food Science
G
- General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
- General Studies
- Geology/Earth Science, General
H
- Health and Wellness, General
- Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
- History, General
- Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management
- Humanities/Humanistic Studies
I
- Information Science/Studies
- International Relations and Affairs
L
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Library and Archives Assisting
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management
M
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Music, General
P
- Petroleum Technology/Technician
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Pre-Dentistry Studies
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Pre-Nursing Studies
- Pre-Pharmacy Studies
- Pre-Veterinary Studies
- Psychology, General
R
- Radio and Television
S
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General
T
- Teacher Assistant/Aide
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- Turf and Turfgrass Management
V
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant
Need Help Choosing a Major?
Keep in mind most colleges don’t require students to declare a major until the end of their sophomore year, and many students change majors at least once.
Special Academics Program
- Accelerated Study
- Distance Learning
- Dual Enrollment of High School Students
- English as a Second Language
- Honors Program
- Internships
- Liberal Arts/Career Combination
- Study Abroad
- Teacher Certification
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