How Many Ap Courses Are There

How Many AP Courses Are There? A Complete Guide to the Advanced Placement Program

The Advanced Placement (AP) program, administered by the College Board, offers high‑school students the chance to tackle college‑level coursework while still in secondary school. One of the most common questions students, parents, and educators ask is: how many AP courses are there? Knowing the exact count—and understanding how those courses are grouped—helps learners plan a balanced schedule, earn college credit, and strengthen their college applications. In this article we’ll explore the current number of AP offerings, how the catalog has evolved, and what factors to consider when selecting the right AP classes for your goals.

Introduction: Why the AP Course Count Matters

The AP program began in the 1950s as a way to bridge the gap between high school and university academics. Today, more than 2.8 million students take AP exams each year, and the program’s breadth is a key reason for its popularity. When you ask how many AP courses are there, you’re really asking about the depth and variety of subjects you can explore at an advanced level. The answer influences everything from course planning to scholarship eligibility, so having an up‑to‑date, accurate figure is essential.

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A Brief History of the AP Program

Understanding the growth of the AP catalog helps explain why the number of courses has changed over time.

The College Board periodically reviews demand, academic relevance, and resource availability before adding or retiring a course. For example, AP Italian Language and Culture was added in 2011, while AP Physics B was split into AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 in 2015 to better align with university curricula.

Current AP Course Catalog: 38 Distinct Offerings

As of the 2024‑2025 academic year, the College Board lists 38 AP courses that culminate in a standardized exam. Below is a detailed breakdown by subject area, showing how the total is derived.

1. AP Capstone™ (2 courses)

• AP Seminar – interdisciplinary research and presentation skills
• AP Research – independent, year‑long investigation

2. Arts (3 courses)

• AP Art History - AP Studio Art: 2‑D Design
• AP Studio Art: 3‑D Design
• AP Studio Art: Drawing

Note: Although Studio Art comprises three portfolio types, the College Board treats each as a separate exam for counting purposes.

3. English (2 courses)

• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition

4. History & Social Sciences (9 courses)

• AP Comparative Government and Politics
• AP European History
• AP Human Geography
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Microeconomics
• AP Psychology
• AP United States Government and Politics
• AP United States History
• AP World History: Modern

5. Math & Computer Science (5 courses)

• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC - AP Computer Science A
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP Statistics

6. Sciences (7 courses)

• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry - AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics 1: Algebra‑Based
• AP Physics 2: Algebra‑Based
• AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• AP Physics C: Mechanics

7. World Languages & Cultures (8 courses)

• AP Chinese Language and Culture
• AP French Language and Culture
• AP German Language and Culture
• AP Italian Language and Culture
• AP Japanese Language and Culture
• AP Latin - AP Spanish Language and Culture - AP Spanish Literature and Culture Adding the numbers from each category:
  2 (Capstone) + 3 (Arts) + 2 (English) + 9 (History) + 5 (Math/CS) + 7 (Sciences) + 8 (World Languages) = 38 AP courses.

How the AP Catalog Has Changed Over Time

While the total has hovered around 38 for the past few years, the composition has shifted. Below are notable additions and removals that illustrate the program’s responsiveness to educational trends.

Recent Additions (2015‑2024)

• AP Computer Science Principles (2016) – broadens access

...access to computational thinking for a broader student population.

• AP Precalculus (2023) – addresses foundational math skills and college readiness.
• AP African American Studies (pilot 2022, expanded 2024) – reflects a growing emphasis on diverse perspectives in curricula.

Discontinuations and Restructuring

Some courses have been retired or significantly revised to align with evolving pedagogical standards:

• AP Physics B was discontinued after 2014, replaced by the algebra-based AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 to allow for deeper conceptual exploration.
• AP World History: Ancient was integrated into the broader AP World History: Modern framework, streamlining the historical scope.
• AP Studio Art consolidated from multiple separate exams into a unified AP Art and Design portfolio system in 2019, though the three portfolio types (2-D, 3-D, Drawing) remain distinct in scoring.

These shifts demonstrate the College Board’s commitment to maintaining relevance, often in response to feedback from educators, higher education institutions, and disciplinary advancements.

Conclusion

The current AP program, with its 38 distinct courses, represents both a stable framework and a dynamic ecosystem. Its structure—spanning Capstone, arts, humanities, sciences, mathematics, and languages—provides students with rigorous, college-level opportunities while allowing schools flexibility in building curricula that reflect local priorities and strengths. The historical evolution of the catalog, marked by thoughtful additions like Computer Science Principles and Precalculus and strategic consolidations in the sciences and arts, underscores a clear responsiveness to educational trends and the changing needs of a diverse student body. As universities continue to refine their own expectations and as disciplines like data science, environmental studies, and global cultures gain prominence, the AP program will likely continue to adapt. Ultimately, the value of AP lies not just in the number of courses offered, but in its consistent mission: to provide equitable access to challenging, college-preparatory education that empowers students to pursue higher learning with confidence and curiosity.