New York State Graduation Requirements
Understanding Current New York State Diploma Requirements
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.
Note: School districts may create diploma
requirements in addition to those required by the
NYS Education Department (NYSED).
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.
Minimum
number
of credits
English
4
Social Studies
Distributed as follows:
Global History and Geography (2)
U.S. History (1)
Participation in Government (½)
Economics (½)
4
Science
Distributed as follows:
Life Science (1)
Physical Science (1)
Life Science or Physical Science (1)
3
Mathematics
3
World Languages
1
*
Visual Art, Music, Dance, and/or
Theater
1
Physical Education
(participation each semester)
2
Health
0.5
Electives
3.5
Total
22
* Students with disabilities may be excused from the
requirement for 1 unit of credit in World Languages if
indicated on their IEP, but they must still earn 22 units
of credit to graduate.
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.
One Regents exam or Department-
approved alternative in each of the
subject areas:
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.
social
studies
science
math ELA
4
+ 1
Pathway Requirements
Multiple pathways allow students choice in the
exams they pass to earn a diploma. To complete
a pathway, students must:
Arts Pathway
Ea
rn a passing score on a
Department-
approved pathway
exam in the Arts to earn the Arts
pathway
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
Education)
Pathway
Successfully complete a
Department-
approved 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
E
arn a passing score on a
Department-
approved pathway
exam in a world language
(Science,
Technology,
Engineering,
and
Mathematics)
E
arn a passing score on one
additional Regents exam or
Department-approved
alternative
in mathematics or
science
Diploma Types
There are currently three types of high school
diplomas: local, Regents, and Regents with
Advanced Designation.
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.
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.
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.
Resources
General Education and Diploma Requirements
New York State Diploma Requirements
New York State Diploma/Credential
Requirements
Commissioner’s Regulations (8 CRR-NY §100.5,
Diploma Requirements)
Questions?
Contact the Office of Curriculum and Instruction
at emscgradreq@nysed.gov or (518)474-5922
Local
Regents
Regents with
Advanced
Designation