Questions about the course

It helps to have a fundamental understanding of computer science to teach this course. However, due to the broad and multidisciplinary nature of the course, you do not need to have prior computer science experience.
While STEM teachers may be particularly suited to teach the course, teachers of all backgrounds will have the opportunity for professional development to supplement their experience, including AP Summer Institutes and one-day workshops. Teachers with less computer science experience can also explore professional development offered by College Board endorsed providers.
Additionally, states determine their own requirements for teacher certification and endorsement. Be sure to check out your state-specific computer science teacher certification requirements.

There is no designated programming language for the course. You have the flexibility to choose the programming language that is most appropriate for you or your students to use in the classroom. A list of suggested programming languages is provided in the AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description. Though this is not a comprehensive list, we suggest it as a point of reference to begin determining what will work best for a student.

These resources will help:

• The AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description (.pdf/3.61MB) is the core document for this course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and the AP Program in general. If you only download one thing this year, make this it.
• Course Planning and Pacing Guides demonstrate how various teachers plan and pace their courses.
• Watch these course overview modules for a guided tour of the AP Program and the AP Computer Science Principles assessment.
• Professional development such as one-day workshops and AP Summer Institutes are great for novices and experts alike.
• College Board endorsed providers offering curriculum and professional development for CSP may be able to provide additional support to you and your school. This includes an approved syllabus for your use.
• The AP CSP Teacher Community gives the opportunity to learn from and share with colleagues and create a library of resources.
• Access a diverse selection of supplemental materials, not endorsed by the College Board, to support instruction.

The AP Program recommends that classrooms have computers for students to use daily. Internet access is strongly recommended since the course studies the internet. In addition, as part of the requirements of the through-course performance tasks, students should be able to conduct online investigations of computing innovations. You are allowed to install computing software of your choosing so that students can develop programs and create other computational artifacts.
Students can also use tablets and other similar hand-held devices such as smartphones for the course.

The College Board does not recommend specific textbooks. However, a list of textbooks appropriate for the course appears on the AP CSP Course Audit site.

The courses can be taken in any order, or at the same time. The recommended prerequisite for both courses is a first-year high school algebra course such as Algebra I.

The AP Program recommends that students successfully complete a high school algebra course like Algebra I with a strong foundation in basic algebraic concepts dealing with function notation and problem-solving strategies. Students should be able to use a Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system to represent points on a plane. Students do not need to have prior computer science knowledge or experience.

We recommend that this course be taught over an entire school year. It can be taught on a block schedule.

Yes. Students can take the course without taking the AP Exam. If students are seeking college credit or placement, be sure to check with the institution's policies to determine if they will grant credit or placement without an AP Exam score.