Explore the best online AP courses

Online AP courses offer college credit to advance your academic and professional skills. Get ahead of the game with AP courses on edX.

Key takeaways

  • AP courses award college credit to high-achieving high school juniors and seniors.
  • Choose from a wide range of academic subjects to satisfy college prerequisites.
  • Explore a variety of career fields and professional interests before choosing a major.

Popular online AP courses with certificates

AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 1: Stories
University of California, Berkeley
Course
Topics in AP Physics
Rice University
Course
AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 2: Poems
University of California, Berkeley
Course
AP® Italian Language and Culture (2026-2027)
Wellesley College
Course

What are AP courses?

AP courses are college-level courses that are designed to give learners a head start on their college education. They are typically offered at the junior or senior level of high school. These courses are rigorous, but learners who earn high scores on AP exams have the opportunity to earn college credit. The College Board offers AP courses in more than 40 subjects, although course availability depends on the school.

Why take AP courses?

  • AP courses are structured to prepare you for the rigor of college-level academics.
  • You can test-drive subjects of interest before choosing a major or professional pathway.
  • AP courses help you save time and money by satisfying foundational college course credits.

Browse online AP courses

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Courses

Introduction to Java Programming: Fundamental Data Structures and Algorithms
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Course
Introduction to Java Programming: Writing Good Code
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Course
On-Ramp to AP® French Language and Culture
Weston High School
Course
On-Ramp to AP* Physics C: Mechanics
Weston High School
Course
Topics in AP Physics
Rice University
Course
AP® Italian Language and Culture (2026-2027)
Wellesley College
Course
AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 1: Stories
University of California, Berkeley
Course
AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 2: Poems
University of California, Berkeley
Course

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Explore AP courses by subject

Online AP courses can help you explore college majors and start earning college credits for introductory classes and prerequisites. Explore these popular AP courses on edX:

1. Prepare for AP English Literature

Learn how to interpret and write your own prose, poems, and plays through self-paced study in less than eight weeks online. These edX courses prepare students for the AP English Literature and Composition Exam.

Featured courses

AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 1: Stories
University of California, Berkeley
Course
AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 2: Poems
University of California, Berkeley
Course
AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 3: Plays
University of California, Berkeley
Course

Explore AP programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do colleges care about AP courses?

Yes, colleges recognize the benefits of AP courses, especially for their rigor and predictive success. Ongoing research suggests students who take AP courses perform better in introductory college courses than those who do not, and are more likely to attend college and graduate on time.

How many AP courses are there?

The College Board currently offers 42 AP course subjects, spanning the arts, English, history and social sciences, math and computer science, sciences, and AP world languages and cultures, as well as an AP Capstone Diploma Program and AP Career Kickstart.

Which AP course is the hardest?

Determining the level of difficulty of an AP course is relative to your individual experience and skills; however, students and educators often call out subjects like physics, history, English literature, Latin, and music theory for requiring demanding prerequisites and steep learning curves for specialized skills.

Can you earn college credit from AP courses?

Yes, you can earn college credit for AP courses, provided you meet the minimum score requirements on your respective AP exams. You must also check with your college of choice to understand its unique credit transfer policy. Some schools may require higher AP exam scores to apply credits for AP courses, while others may only offer course placement that allows you to skip a prerequisite course, instead.