Graduation & Beyond

Graduation & Post-Secondary Requirements

To earn a high school diploma in the state of South Carolina, students must complete required coursework with a minimum of 24 units.

Students wishing to enroll in a two-year technical college, a four-year college or university in South Carolina, or who plan to enlist in the United States military must also meet certain criteria.

See the sections below for more information on these requirements.

High School Graduation Requirements

To earn a South Carolina high school diploma, students must earn a minimum of 24 credits. These include:

English Language Arts - 4 credits*
Mathematics - 4 credits*
Science - 3 credits*
US History and Constitution - 1 credit*
US Government - 1/2 credit
Economics - 1/2 credit
Other Social Studies - 1 credit
Physical Education 1 or JROTC 1 - 1 credit*
Computer Science - 1 Credit
World Language OR Career and Technology - 1 Credit
Personal Finance -1 credit (Entering Freshman class for 23-24)
Other electives - 7 credits (Entering Freshman class for 23-24: 6 electives)

*English 2, Algebra 1/Intermediate Algebra, Biology, and US History and Constitution require students to complete a state-mandated End of Course Examination, which counts for 20% of their final course grade.

** State law requires students enrolled in Physical Education 1 or JRTOC 1 to complete a unit of comprehensive health education.

Diploma Pathways & Seals of Distinction

Beginning with the graduating class of 2022, students enrolled in SC high schools will have the opportunity to earn graduation Seals of Distinction within each high school diploma pathway that identifies a particular area of focus. Although students are not required to earn a Seal in order to graduate, they are encouraged to consider these pathways as goals to work toward. For more information on South Carolina’s Diploma Pathways and Seals of Distinction, please visit the State Department of Education’s website.

Four-Year College & University Entrance Requirements

The South Carolina Commission on High Education has established the following high school course prerequisites for all students planning to attend a public, four-year college or university within the state:

English Language Arts - 4 credits
Mathematics - 4 credits including Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and a higher-level math
Laboratory Science - 3 credits including Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics
Social Sciences - 3 credits including US History and Constitution
Fine Arts - 1 credit including Appreciation, History, and/or Performance
World Language - 2 credits of the same language
Electives - 2 credits, Computer Science is recommended
Physical Education or JROTC - 1 credit

Two-Year Technical/Junior College Requirements

Although admission requirements vary, students wishing to enroll in a two-year program through the South Carolina Technical College system must have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or GED. Diploma requirements include:

English Language Arts - 4 credits
Mathematics - 4 credits
Science - 3 credits
US History and Constitution - 1 credit
US Government - 1/2 credit
Economics - 1/2 credit
Other Social Studies - 1 credit
Physical Education 1 or JROTC 1 - 1 credit
Computer Science - 1 Credit
World Language OR Career and Technology - 1 Credit
Other electives - 7 credits

College Athletics Requirements

Students wishing to pursue athletics at the college or university level may need to meet eligibility requirements set by the NCAA, NAIA, their academic institution, and/or and other governing bodies.

For more information, contact Amy Meehan in the CFHS Guidance Department or CFHS Athletic Director, Ina Thompson.

NCAA Information for Future Student-Athletes

NAIA Information for Future Student-Athletes

United States Military Enlistment Requirements

In addition to meeting the criteria for age, citizenship, and fitness, students who wish to enlist in a branch of the United States military must have, at a minimum, a high school diploma. Generally, the military accepts only a small number of enlistees with a GED each year.

Students interested in joining the military after high school are also encouraged to complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) during high school. This test is offered twice a year through the school's Army JROTC and guidance departments.

For more information on specific requirements to enlist in each branch of the military, students should contact their local recruiting station.

Profile of a SC Graduate

The Profile of the South Carolina Graduate has been adopted and approved by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Council on competitiveness, the Education Oversight Committee, the State Board of Education, and the SC Department of Education in an effort to identify the knowledge, skills, and characteristics a high school graduate should possess in order to be prepared for success as they enter college or pursue a career.

The profile is intended to guide all that is done at Carolina Forest High School, in Horry County, and across South Carolina in support of college and career-readiness.

Page updated

Report abuse