Graduation Requirements
Preparing for the Future
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To earn a NYS diploma, students must meet credit and exam requirements. These requirements are separate and distinct and do not have to happen simultaneously.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
This table shows the number of credits required for each subject. It’s important to note in most subjects, students choose the courses they want to take to meet the minimum requirements.
EXAM REQUIREMENTS
EXAM REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the 22 units of credit, students must also meet the NYS exam requirements to earn a diploma. To meet the exam requirements, students must pass 4 exams + 1 pathway. All students must pass one exam (Regents exam or Department-approved alternative) in each of the four subject areas (English, mathematics, science, social studies) plus one pathway.
Note: If students are not able to earn a passing score of 65 on Regents exams, they may be eligible for Appeals, Safety Nets, and/or Superintendent Determination. Additional information can be referenced in The New York State Graduation Requirements: Additional Options flyer.
PATHWAYS
PATHWAYS
Multiple pathways allow students choice in the exams they pass to earn a diploma. To complete a pathway, students must:
Arts Pathway: Earn a passing score on a Department-approved pathway exam in the Arts to earn the Arts pathway
CDOS (Career Development and Occupation Studies) Pathway: Complete 216 hours of CTE coursework that includes a minimum of 54 hours of Work Based Learning and complete a career plan and an Employability profile, or pass a Department-approved CDOS pathway exam
CTE (Career and Technical Education) Pathway: Successfully complete Department-approved a CTE program, including 3-5 CTE courses and earn a passing score on the 3-part technical exam
Humanities Pathway: Earn a passing score on one additional Regents exam or Department-approved alternative in English or social studies
World Languages Pathway: Earn a passing score on a Department-approved pathway exam in a world language
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Pathway: Earn a passing score on one additional Regents exam or Department-approved alternative in mathematics or science
Arts Pathway: Earn a passing score on a Department-approved pathway exam in the Arts to earn the Arts pathway
CDOS (Career Development and Occupation Studies) Pathway: Complete 216 hours of CTE coursework that includes a minimum of 54 hours of Work Based Learning and complete a career plan and an Employability profile, or pass a Department-approved CDOS pathway exam
CTE (Career and Technical Education) Pathway: Successfully complete Department-approved a CTE program, including 3-5 CTE courses and earn a passing score on the 3-part technical exam
Humanities Pathway: Earn a passing score on one additional Regents exam or Department-approved alternative in English or social studies
World Languages Pathway: Earn a passing score on a Department-approved pathway exam in a world language
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Pathway: Earn a passing score on one additional Regents exam or Department-approved alternative in mathematics or science
DIPLOMA TYPES
DIPLOMA TYPES
There are currently three types of high school diplomas: LOCAL, REGENTS, and REGENTS with ADVANCED DESIGNATION.
LOCAL
All diploma types require students to earn 22 units of credit as outlined in the credit table. Students who meet the credit requirements and use appeals, safety nets, or Superintendent Determination to meet the exam requirements typically earn a local diploma.
REGENTS
Students who meet the credit requirements and earn passing scores on all required exams earn a Regents diploma. Students can appeal one Regents exam no more than 5 points below passing (60-64) and still earn a Regents diploma.
In the case of Mathematics, students are required to successfully complete a minimum of three years of high school mathematics and achieve a passing grade on one Regents Mathematics Exam (i.e., Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra 2) or one Regents Exam Alternative.
REGENTSwith ADVANCED DESIGNATION
Students who meet the credit requirements, earn passing scores on all required exams including 2 additional math and 1 additional science, and complete a sequence in LOTE, the Arts, or CTE, earn a Regents diploma with Advanced Designation.
ENDORSEMENTS & SEALS
ENDORSEMENTS & SEALS
MASTERY in MATHEMATICS
The mastery endorsement may be awarded to students who complete the requirements for the Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. (This endorsement is not available for the Regents Diploma.)
To earn mastery in mathematics and/or mastery in science, students must demonstrate mastery on each Regents Exams in mathematics and/or science. Mastery is evidenced by earning a score of 85 or above.
HONORS
The honors endorsement may be awarded to students who complete the requirements for either the Regents Diploma or the Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.
To earn the honors endorsement, a student must meet the assessment requirements for the Regents diploma or the Regents with Advanced Designation and also earn a computed average of 90 or above on the Regents Exams applicable to their diploma type (no rounding up is permitted).
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