This page summarizes high school diploma requirements for students who first entered 9th grade in 2002, 2003, or 2004. At this time, students could earn a Regents diploma, Regents diploma with advanced designation, or a local diploma.
Please refer to Section 100.5 of the Commissioner’s Regulations for complete information including alternatives for fulfilling the diploma requirements.
Regents Diploma
Credit Requirements: 22 units of credit
- English Language Arts - 4 units
- Social Studies - 4 units - (including 1 unit of American history, ½ unit of Participation In Government, and ½ unit of Economics)
- Mathematics - 3 units - (may include Mathematics A and Mathematics B)
- Science - 3 units - (including at least one course in life science, one in physical science, and third in either life sciences or physical science)
- Health - ½ unit
- The Arts - 1 unit - (including dance, music, theatre, and/or visual arts)
- Languages Other Than English**- 1 unit
- Physical Education- 2 units
- Sequence Courses or Electives - 3½ units
- Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST): A commencement-level course in technology education may be used as the third unit of credit in science or mathematics, but not both. Also, students may meet the learning standards in technology either in a technology education course or through an integrated course combining technology with mathematics and/or science.
** A student identified as having a disability which adversely affects the ability to learn a language may be exempted from the LOTE requirements if the student’s individualized education program states that such requirements are not appropriate.
Assessment Requirements: 5 examinations
Students must pass Regents Examinations as follows:
- Comprehensive English
- Global History and Geography
- United States History and Government
- One (1) in Mathematics (Mathematics A or Mathematics B)
- One (1) in Science.
Alternative Assessments approved by the commissioner, pursuant to Section 100.2(f) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, may be used in place of the required State assessments.
Local Additions to State Requirements for the Diploma
School districts may establish diploma requirements in addition to those required by Section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation
Credit Requirements: 22 units of credit
- English Language Arts - 4 units
- Social Studies - 4 units (including 1 unit of American history, ½ unit of Participation In Government, and ½ unit of economics)
- Mathematics - 3 units (including Mathematics A and Mathematics B)
- Science - 3 units (including at least one course in life science, one in physical science, and a third in either life sciences or physical science)
- Health - ½ unit
- The Arts - 1 unit (including dance, music, theatre, or visual arts)
- Languages Other Than English** - 1 unit (plus an additional 2 LOTE units or a five- unit sequence in Career and Technical Education, or a five-unit sequence in the Arts).
- Physical Education - 2 units
- Sequence Courses or Electives - 3½ units
- Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST): A commencement-level course in technology education may be used as the third unit of credit in science or mathematics, but not both. Also, students may meet the learning standards in technology either in a technology education course or through an integrated course combining technology with mathematics and/or science.
** A student identified as having a disability which adversely affects the ability to learn a language may be exempted from the LOTE requirements if the student’s individualized education program states that such requirements are not appropriate.
Assessment Requirements: 7-9 examinations
Students must pass Regents Examinations as follows:
- Comprehensive English;
- United States History and Government;
- Mathematics Two (2) or Three (3):
- Students graduating before the 2011-12 school year must pass one of four combinations of commencement level Regents Examinations in mathematics: For the two examination combination, Mathematics A and Mathematics B, or Mathematics A and Algebra 2/Trigonometry; For the three examination combination, Mathematics A, Geometry, and Algebra 2/Trigonometry, or Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2/Trigonometry.
- Students graduating beginning with the 2011-12 school year and thereafter, regardless of cohort, who pass any of the following 2 or 3 mathematics examination combinations will have met the mathematics assessment requirements for a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation
- Two examination combination. A student must pass:
- Mathematics A and Mathematics B, or
- Mathematics A and Algebra 2/Trigonometry, or
- Mathematics B and Integrated Algebra;
- Three examination combination. A student must pass:
- Mathematics A, Geometry and Algebra 2/Trigonometry, or
- Integrated Algebra, Geometry and Mathematics B, or
- Integrated Algebra, Geometry and Algebra 2/Trigonometry
- Two (2) in Science (at least one in life science and at least one in physical science);
- Language Other Than English (Regents Comprehensive Examination or if no Regent Examination is available a locally developed Checkpoint B examination) unless exempt through IEP or using a five-unit sequence substitution provision.
Alternative Assessments approved by the Commissioner, pursuant to Section 100.2(f) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, may be used in place of the required State assessments.
Local Diploma Options
The following local diploma options are available for students who first enter grade 9 in September 2002, 2003 or 2004:
- Students who score 55-64 on any of the required Regents Examinations may earn a local diploma as determined by the local school district.
- Students with disabilities who fail one or more Regents Examination and who pass the corresponding Regents Competency Test (RCT) will receive a local diploma.
