High School Graduation Requirements
How many total course units does the state require for high school graduation?
February 2019
Definitions:
- Standard diploma type: A standard diploma type refers to the minimum requirements necessary to earn a diploma in a state. States may offer additional diploma types or endorsements.
- Carnegie unit: A basic credit hour measurement.
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STATE
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Diploma Type
|
Total # units
|
Notes (not all may apply
in this view) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Standard | 24 | *4th unit math must be chosen from Alabama course of study: math or CTE/AP/IB/postsecondary equivalent courses **3rd and 4th unit science must be chosen from Alabama course of study: science or CTE/AP/IB/postsecondary equivalent course |
| Alaska | Standard | 21 (13 specified in reg.)* | *Each chief school administrator shall develop and submit to the district board for approval a plan consisting of district high school graduation requirements. The plan must require that, before graduation, a student must have earned at least 21 units of credit. Specific subject area units of credit requirements must be set out in each district plan and must require students to complete the 13 units specified here. |
| Arizona | Standard | 22 | *Units shall include but not be limited to the following: reading American and other world literature, reading informational text, writing, research methods, speaking and listening skills, grammar and vocabulary. **The requirement for the 3rd credit covering algebra II may be met by but is not limited to the following: a math course comparable to algebra II course content, computer science, CTE and vocational education, economics, science and arts courses as determined by the local school district governing board or charter school. ***As determined by local school district or charter school. |
| Arkansas | Standard (Smart Core) | 22 | *Option 1: Incl. 1 algebra I or algebra A and B (grades 7-8 or 8-9), 1 geometry or investigating geometry or geometry A and B (grades 8-9 or 9-10), 1 algebra II and 1 unit with range of options (transitions to college math, pre-calculus, calculus, trigonometry, statistics, computer math, algebra III or an AP math) **Option 2: 1 unit computer science and 3 units from Option 1 ***Option 1: 3 lab units, chosen from physical science, biology or applied biology/chemistry, chemistry, physics or principles of technology I and II or PIC physics ****Option 2: 1 unit computer science and 2 units from Option 1 |
| Waiver (Core) | 22 | *Option 1: Incl. 1 unit algebra or equivalent, 1 unit geometry or equivalent **Option 2: 1 unit computer science and 3 units from Option 1 ***Option 1: Incl. 1 unit biology or equivalent, 1 unit physical science. ****Option 2: 1 unit computer science and 2 units from Option 1 |
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| California | Standard | 13 | *If the district requires more than 2 units math for graduation, a district may adopt a policy allowing a student to substitute a “category C” approved computer science course for a math course, per Section 51225.35. |
| Colorado | Standard* | - | *The state's high school graduation requirements for the standard diploma will change starting with the graduating class of 2021. All districts must adopt graduation requirements that at a minimum meet the requirements of state board-set graduation guidelines. State-level menu of options identifies minimum cut scores or other metrics in English and math on the following measures: Accuplacer, ACT, ACT WorkKeys, AP, ASVAB, concurrent enrollment, district capstone, industry certificate, IB, SAT and collaboratively developed, standards-based performance assessment. Districts may make all options available or choose which choices from the menu of options to make available to students. Students select from district-determined menu of options how they will demonstrate college- and career-readiness in ELA and math. Students may use different options to demonstrate college- and career-readiness in English and math. Districts may raise minimum scores required on an option for the standard diploma, add graduation requirements in other content areas or adapt the college and career demonstrations necessary to earn a standard high school diploma to accommodate for English learners, gifted students and students with disabilities. |
| Connecticut | Standard* | 20 (14 specified in statute) | *The state's high school graduation requirements for the standard diploma will change starting with the graduating class of 2023. Additionally, course requirements are not prescribed by subject area but by subject area groups. |
| Delaware | Standard | 24 | *Students must earn a unit of math during the senior year. **Earned either by (a) completing 2 units in the same world language, or (b) demonstrating novice-high or higher proficiency level on a nationally recognized assessment of language proficiency, except English, in the skill areas of oral or signed expressive and receptive communication, reading and writing, that uses the levels of proficiency as identified by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language, or as approved for use by the Delaware Department of Education. |
| District of Columbia | Standard | 24 | *All students must enroll in algebra I by the 10th grade, unless the school is approved for a waiver. |
| Florida | Standard | 24**** | *A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for 1 math credit. Substitution may occur for up to 2 math credits, except for algebra I and geometry. **A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for one science credit, except for biology I. ***The practical arts course must incorporate artistic content and techniques of creativity, interpretation and imagination. Eligible practical arts courses are identified in the course code directory. ****In lieu of completing these 24 units, students may earn a standard diploma by completing an IB curriculum, or an advanced international certificate of education curriculum. |
| Georgia | Standard | 23 | *Students whose native language is not English may be considered to have met the foreign language expectation by exercising the credit in lieu of enrollment option if they are proficient in their native language. A formal examination is not necessary if other evidence of proficiency is available. |
| Hawaii | Standard | 24 | |
| Idaho | Standard | 23 (14.5 specified in reg.) | *Algebra I or geometry may be fulfilled by courses that meet the Idaho algebra I or geometry content standards as approved by the state department of education. One of the required math units must be taken in the last year of high school in which the student intends to graduate. An exemption from this requirement is available to students who (a) have completed 3 units or more of high school math prior to the fall of their last year of high school, including at least two semesters of an AP or dual credit calculus or higher level course, or (2) complete 4 or more high school units of math and complete algebra II or higher level math courses. In both instances, math courses completed in middle school must count for purposes of these provisions. **Students who choose to take AP computer science, dual credit computer science, and dual credit engineering may not concurrently count such courses as both a math and science credit. ***Students who choose to take AP computer science, dual credit computer science, and dual credit engineering may not concurrently count such courses as both a math and science credit. ****As part of the health/wellness course, students must receive a minimum of one class period on CPR training as outlined in the American Heart Association guidelines for CPR to include the proper utilization of an automatic external defibrillator. *****To fulfill this requirement, visual arts, music, theatre, dance, world language course must be aligned to the Idaho content standards for those subjects; literature, history, philosophy, architecture or comparative world religions course may satisfy the humanities standards if the course is aligned to the interdisciplinary humanities content standards. |
| Illinois | Standard* | 16.75 | *The state's high school graduation requirements in social studies for the standard diploma will change starting with the graduating class of 2020. **If student successfully completes algebra II or an integrated math course with algebra II content. ***The state's high school graduation requirements in social studies will change starting with the graduating class of 2020. The new requirements will include 0.5 unit civics. ****While not a graduation requirement, 105 ILCS 5/27-6 provides that daily physical education is a required course for students each year of high school. *****One of which must be English (and may count toward meeting 1 of the 4 required units of English) and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements. |
| Indiana | Standard (Core 40)* | 20 | *Starting with the Class of 2023, all students will be required to satisfy three graduation pathway requirements outlined by the Indiana Department of Education. **3 units math must be taken after entering high school. A student must be enrolled in a math or quantitative reasoning course each year of high school. |
| Waiver (Minimum) | 20 | *Min. 3 units must be from ELA; 1 unit may be from business technology, family and consumer sciences, technology education or career technical having predominantly ELA content. If a student completes a level III world language course, the school may waive 1 unit of the language arts requirement. **Unless the student has completed algebra I or integrated mathematics I before entering high school. A minimum of 1 unit of the math requirement must be from the mathematics area of study. 1 unit may be from business technology, family and consumer sciences, technology education or career technical having predominantly math content. 2 math units must be earned after the student enters high school. A student must earn 1 unit math or quantitative reasoning during the student's junior or senior year. ***Life science, physical science, earth and space science. One unit may be from family and consumer sciences or career technical courses having predominantly science content. ****May be waived if student completes certain numbers of credits from certain family and consumer sciences courses or health careers education courses offered through career technical programs. *****“Flex credits” are 2.5 units in any combination of the following: (A) additional courses to extend the college and career pathway; (B) courses involving workplace learning [list of possible courses in regulation]; (C) advanced CTE, college credit; (D) additional courses in language arts, social studies, math, science, world languages or fine arts. |
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| Iowa | Standard | 14 | *The three units of social studies may include the existing graduation requirements of 1/2 unit of United States government and one unit of United States history. |
| Kansas | Standard | 21 | *The building administrator may waive up to one unit of this requirement if the administrator determines that a pupil can profit more by taking another subject. |
| Kentucky | Standard* | 22 | *The state's high school graduation requirements will change for non-course requirements will make one change starting with the graduating class of 2023. Graduation requirements in non-course requirements will make another change starting with the graduating class of 2024. **Language arts must be taken each year of high school. ***Math course must be taken each year of high school. ****An integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, occupational or technical course that prepares a student for a career path based on the student's individual learning plan may be substituted for a traditional algebra I, geometry, or algebra II course on an individual student basis if the course meets the content standards in the Kentucky core academic standards. Any math course other than algebra I, geometry, or algebra II shall be counted as an elective. *****Or another arts course that incorporates this content. ******If a student does not meet the college readiness benchmarks for math or English and language arts as established by the Council on Postsecondary Education in 13 KAR 2:020, the student shall take a math or English and language arts transitional course or intervention, which is monitored to address remediation needs, before exiting high school. |
| Louisiana | Standard (TOPS University Diploma) | 24 | The Louisiana Department of Education lists approved alternative courses and courses that may fulfill additional requirements. |
| Standard (Career Diploma) | 23 | The Louisiana Department of Education lists approved alternative courses and courses that may fulfill additional requirements. | |
| Maine | Standard proficiency-based | - | Starting with the graduating class of 2021, proficiency-based diploma requirements will phase in as follows: Class of 2021: Certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology and social studies. Class of 2022: Certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and at least one additional content area of the student's choice. Class of 2023: Certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and at least 2 additional content areas of the student's choice. Class of 2024: Certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and at least 3 additional content areas of the student's choice. Class of 2025: Certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in all content areas. |
| Standard credit-based | - | ||
| Maryland | Standard | 21 (18 specified in regs) | *Four units of organized instruction in comprehension of literary and informational text, writing, speaking and listening, language and literacy. **Each student shall enroll in a math course in each year of high school that the student attends, up to a maximum of four years of attendance, unless in the 5th or 6th year a math course is needed to meet a graduation requirement. ***Three credits of organized instruction which includes a laboratory component engaging in the application of the science and engineering practices, the crosscutting concepts and disciplinary core ideas including earth/space science, life science, physical science (chemistry and physics), engineering and technology, aligned to the Maryland high school assessment for science. ****Includes the application of knowledge, tools and skills to solve practical problems and extend human capabilities. |
| Massachusetts | Standard | - | |
| Michigan | Standard | 18 | *4th unit such as trigonometry, statistics, precalculus, calculus, applied math, accounting, business math, a retake of algebra II or a course in financial literacy. A student may complete algebra II over 2 years with 2 credits awarded or over 1.5 years with 1.5 credits awarded for the purposes of these provisions. A pupil also may partially or fully fulfill the algebra II requirement by completing a department-approved formal career and technical education program or curriculum, such as a program or curriculum in electronics, machining, construction, welding, engineering, computer science or renewable energy, and in that program or curriculum successfully completing the same content as the algebra II benchmarks assessed on the department-prescribed state high school assessment, as determined by the department. Each pupil must successfully complete at least one math course during his or her final year of high school enrollment. **The 0.5 credit economics requirement may be satisfied by completion of at least a 0.5 credit course in personal economics that includes a financial literacy component as described in section 1165, if that course covers the subject area content expectations for economics developed by the department and approved by the state board. ***Or successfully completing a program or curriculum that provides the same content as the chemistry or physics benchmarks, as determined by the department. A student may fulfill the requirement for the 3rd science credit by completing a department-approved computer science program or curriculum or formal CTE program or curriculum. The legislature strongly encourages pupils to complete a 4th credit in science, such as forensics, astronomy, Earth science, agricultural science, environmental science, geology, physics, chemistry, physiology or microbiology. ****Or course work or other learning experiences that are substantially equivalent to 2 credits in a language other than English, based on guidelines developed by the department. For the graduating classes of 2016 through 2024, a student may partially or fully complete 1 unit of this requirement by completing a department-approved formal career and technical education program or curriculum or by completing visual or performing arts instruction (that is in addition to the 1 unit arts required for all students). |
| Minnesota | Standard | 21.5 | *A CTE credit may fulfill a math credit requirement. A computer science credit or project lead the way credit may fulfill a math credit requirement if the credit meets state academic standards in math. **A 0.5 unit of economics taught in a school's agriculture education or business department may fulfill a 0.5 unit in social studies if the credit is sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in economics. ***An agriculture science or CTE credit may fulfill the elective science credit if the credit meets the state physical science, life science, earth and space science, chemistry, or physics academic standards or a combination of these academic standards as approved by the district. An agriculture or CTE credit may fulfill the credit in chemistry or physics if the credit meets the state chemistry or physics academic standards as approved by the district. A student must satisfy either all of the chemistry academic standards or all of the physics academic standards prior to graduation. An agriculture science or CTE credit may not fulfill the required biology credit. A project lead the way credit may fulfill a science credit requirement if the credit meets the state academic standards in science. ****A CTE credit may fulfill the arts credit requirement. |
| Mississippi | Standard* | 24 | *The state's high school graduation requirements for the standard diploma will change starting with the graduating class of 2022. |
| Waiver (District Option; not required to be offered)* | 21 | *Will no longer be available starting with the Class of 2022. | |
| Missouri | Standard | 24 | |
| Montana | Standard | 20 (13 specified in reg.) | *0.5 unit each year for 2 years. |
| Nebraska | Standard | 20 (13 specified in reg.) | |
| Nevada | Standard* | 22.5 | *The state's high school graduation requirements in other course requirements for the standard diploma will change starting with the graduating class of 2022. **May be completed by any of the following: (a) level II or level III course of study in a CTE program area prescribed pursuant to NAC 389.803, (b) 4th year of math, which must include algebra II or another course which follows such a course of study, (c) 3rd year of social studies, or (d) 3rd year of science. |
| New Hampshire | Standard* | 20 | *Regulations provide for “required credits for graduation and graduation competencies” but clarify: “credits shall be based on the demonstration of district and or graduation competencies not on time spent achieving these competencies. The credit shall equate to the level of rigor and achievement necessary to master competencies that have been designed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to progress toward college level and career work.” **Students shall engage in learning concerning competencies in the areas of ELA and math for every year they are in high school until graduation, regardless if ELA or math graduation competencies have been achieved. Such engagement may occur through integration of these graduation competencies in courses focused on content areas other than English or math as long as English or math competencies are clear expectations of the course. Such engagement shall support students to be college and career ready in math and ELA. |
| New Jersey | Standard | 24 (19.5 specified in reg.) | |
| New Mexico | Standard* | 24 | *The state's high school graduation requirements in math and science for the standard diploma will change starting with the graduating class of 2021. *Algebra II is a requirement unless a parent submits written, signed permission for the student to complete a lesser math unit A financial literacy course that meets state math academic content and performance standards shall qualify as one of the four required math units. |
| New York | Standard (Regents Diploma) | 22 (18.5 specified in reg.) | *The state's high school graduation requirements in social studies will change starting with the graduating class of 2020. The new requirements will include 1 American history, 2 units global history and geography, 0.5 economics and 0.5 participation in govt. (or the equivalent of these courses). |
| North Carolina | Standard (Future Ready Core) | 22 | *Credit shall be awarded for Math I, II, III if taken prior to the 2016-17 school year. **In the rare instance a principal exempts a student from the future-ready core math sequence, except as limited by N.C.G.S. §115C-81(b), the student will be required to pass: NC Math 1 and Math 2 plus two additional courses identified on the NC DPI Math options chart. ***Four-course concentration recommended. |
| North Dakota | Standard | 22 | |
| Waiver (Optional High School Curriculum)* | 21 | *If after completing at least two years of high school a student has failed to pass at least 1/2 unit from three subsections in section 15.1-21-02.1 or has a GPA at or below the twenty-fifth percentile of other students in the district who are enrolled in the same grade, the student may request that the student's career advisor, guidance counselor or principal meet with the student and the student's parent to determine if the student should be permitted to pursue an optional high school curriculum, in place of the requirements set forth in section 15.1-21-02.1. If a student's parent consents in writing to the student pursuing the optional high school curriculum, the student is eligible to receive a high school diploma upon completing the following requirements. | |
| Ohio | Standard | 20 | *Students in Class of 2019 and beyond pursuing a career technical instructional track shall not be required to take algebra II or advanced computer science, and instead may complete a career-based pathway math course approved by the department of education as an alternative. **Each school shall integrate the study of economics and financial literacy, as expressed in the social studies academic content standards adopted by the state board of education and the academic content standards for financial literacy and entrepreneurship adopted under division (A)(2) of that section, into one or more existing required social studies credits or into the content of another class. ***The state's high school graduation requirements in social studies will change starting with the graduating class of 2021. The new requirements will include 2 units social studies must incl. 0.5 world history and civilizations. ****Chosen from (a) chemistry, physics, or other physical science, (b) advanced biology or other life science, (c) astronomy, physical geology, or other earth or space science, (d) computer science. *****No student shall substitute a computer science course for a life sciences or biology course. |
| Oklahoma | Standard* | 17 | *All requirements are framed as “units or sets of competencies.” **From the subjects of history, government, geography, economics, civics or non-western culture and approved for college admission requirements. ***Unit or set of competencies in English, math, lab science, history and citizenship skills, foreign language or computer technology, or career and technology education courses, concurrently enrolled courses, AP courses or IB courses approved for college admission requirements. |
| Waiver* | 15 | *All requirements are framed as “units or sets of competencies.” **3 remaining units may include, but are not limited to American literature, English literature, world literature, advanced English courses, other English courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above grammar and composition. ***May include, but are not limited to world history, geography, economics, anthropology or other social studies courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above U.S. history, U.S. government, and Oklahoma history. |
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| Oregon | Standard | 24 (18 specified in reg) | |
| Pennsylvania | Standard | - | *Requirements must include course completion and grades. Requirements must also include demonstration of proficiency as determined by the school district, charter school (including a cyber charter school) or AVTS, if applicable, in each of the state academic standards not assessed by a state assessment and demonstration of proficiency in each of the following state academic standards: ELA and math; science and technology; and environment and ecology. Proficiency is determined by completion of secondary level coursework in ELA (literature), algebra I and biology in which a student demonstrates proficiency on the associated Keystone Exam or related project-based assessment if applicable, locally approved and administered assessments, or completion of an AP or IB exam that includes academic content comparable to the appropriate Keystone Exam at a score established by the secretary to be comparable to the proficient level on the appropriate Keystone Exam. |
| Rhode Island | Standard | 20 | *Eff. Class of 2021, students must also successfully complete a performance-based diploma assessment, defined in regulation as “multifaceted assignments that serve as a culminating demonstration of a student’s applied learning skills and knowledge of one or more content areas.” |
| South Carolina | Standard | 24 | |
| South Dakota | Standard | 22 (16.5 specified in reg.) | *1 unit of computer science may be substituted for 1 unit of science but may not be substituted for biology |
| Tennessee | Standard | 22 | *Students must be enrolled in a math course each year of high school. **Three years of JROTC may be substituted for 1/2 credit of personal finance if the JROTC instructor attends the personal finance training. |
| Texas | Standard (Foundation) | 22 | *Integrated physics and chemistry; chemistry; physics; principles of technology; or a comparable AP or IB chemistry or physics course that does not count toward another credit required for graduation. **To be selected from computer science I, II, and III, AP computer science principles, AP computer science A, IB computer science standard level and IB computer science higher level. |
| Utah | Standard | 24 | *Opt-out provisions from secondary math III. In addition, a student who successfully completes a calculus course with a “C” grade or higher has completed mathematics graduation requirements, regardless of the number of mathematics credits earned. |
| Vermont | Standard* | - | *A student meets the requirements for graduation when the student demonstrates evidence of proficiency in the curriculum of the following subjects: literacy, mathematical content and practices, scientific inquiry and content knowledge, global citizenship, P.E. and health education, artistic expression and transferable skills (including communication, collaboration, creativity, innovation, inquiry, problem solving and the use of technology). and completion of any other requirements specified by the student’s local board. |
| Virginia | Standard* | 22 | *The state's high school graduation requirements in math, science, arts, foreign language, other course requirements and non-course requirements for the standard diploma will change starting with the graduating class of 2022. **Computer science may be considered a math credit. ***Computer science may be considered a science credit. |
| Washington | Standard | 24 | |
| West Virginia | Standard | 22 | |
| Wisconsin | Standard | 15*** | *A student may earn up to 1 unit math upon completing a computer science that the department has determined qualifies as computer sciences according to criteria established by the department, or upon completing a CTE course that the local board determines satisfies a math requirement. A single CTE course may not substitute for both a math and science credit. *Health may be completed in grades 7-12. ***The state superintendent shall encourage school boards to require an additional 8.5 credits selected from any combination of vocational education, foreign languages, fine arts and other courses. |
| Wyoming | Standard | - | *1 year of which may be satisfied by 1 year computer science. |