Students » Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

REGENTS DIPLOMA

ADVANCED REGENTS DIPLOMA

Students must achieve a score of 65 or higher
​on these five Regents exams:
  • English Language Arts (ELA)
  • Any mathematics exam (Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II/Trigonometry)
  • Any social studies exam (Global History and Geography or U.S. History and Government)
  • Any science exam ( Living Environment, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics)
  • Any additional Regents exam or assessment approved by the State for this purpose
Students must achieve a score of 65 or
​higher on these nine exams:
  • English Language Arts (ELA)
  • Three mathematics exams (Algebra I, Geometry, ​and Algebra II/Trigonometry)
  • Two social studies exam (Global History and Geography and U.S. History and Government)
  • Two science exam ( Living Environment and one of these: Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics)
  • Any NYC Languages Other Than English (LOTE) exam

MINIMUM CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

8 credits in Core English
8 credits in Social Studies: Global History (4), U.S. History (2), Participation in Government (1), Economics (1)
6 credits in Mathematics: Including at least two credits of advanced math (e.g., Geometry or Algebra II)
6 credits in Science: Life Science (2), Physical Science (2), Life Science or Physical Science (2)
2 credits in Languages Other than English (LOTE) *6 credits required for an Advanced Regents Diploma*
4 credits in Physical Education (every year, distributed in specific ways)
1 credit in Health
2 credits in Visual Art, Music, Dance, and/or Theater
7 credits in Electives *3 credits required for an Advanced Regents Diploma with 6 credits in LOTE*

44 TOTAL CREDITS
*A student seeking an Advanced Regents diploma with an arts or CTE endorsement is only required to complete 2 credits of LOTE. Also, a student whose IEP specifies that the disability directly impacts his or her ability to learn a language may substitute other courses for the LOTE requirement and still earn an Advanced Regents diploma. ​

STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS (IEPS)

Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)In addition to the Regents or Advanced Regents
Diploma, students with IEPs have other graduation options available:The local diploma, which allows students who meet specific criteria to graduate with lower exam scores; and Two non-diploma credentials that allow students with disabilities to demonstrate career-readiness skills. Note that these credentials are not equivalent to a high school diploma:

The Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement (CDOS) credential allows students to demonstrate mastery of the academic and personal behaviors required in the workplace. It can serve in addition to a high school diploma or as a standalone credential.

Students who are alternately assessed can earn the Skills and Achievement credential which, although not equivalent to a diploma, supports the attainment of career-readiness skills.
Read more about graduation requirements for students with disabilities.