Diploma Types

Students in New York state have four different ways they can meet high school graduation requirements. Two of these options will lead to a high school diploma, while the other two provide students with non-diploma credentials.

Each graduation option requires different coursework and related exams — and each option helps prepare students for a variety of future educational and career opportunities. Students are advised to consult with their school counselors as early as middle school to ensure they are choosing the appropriate coursework to meet graduation requirements.

What are the options?

• Local diploma: There are three local diploma options for general education students, students with disabilities and English language learners. Requirements vary for each.
• Regents diploma (and Advanced Regents diploma): The coursework required for Regents and Advanced Regents diplomas is intended to help students prepare more rigorously for college and careers.
• Career Development Occupational Studies (CDOS) credential (non-diploma): Students who earn this credential are considered ready for entry-level employment after high school.
• Skills and Achievement Commencement credential (non-diploma): Students who earn this credential have severe disabilities and have attended school for 12 years. This credential includes a summary of the student’s levels of achievement in academic and career development and occupational (CDOS) studies

Regents Diploma Course Requirements

• English: 4 Credits
• Social Studies: 4 Credits
• Mathematics: 3 Credits
• Science: 3 Credits
• Foreign Language: 1 Credit
• Art and/or Music: 1 Credit
• Health: ½ Credit
• Phys. Ed: 2 Credits
• Electives: 3 ½ Credit
• Total minimum credits: 22 Credits

Advanced Regents Diploma Course Requirements

• English: 4 Credits
• Social Studies: 4 Credits
• Mathematics: 3 Credits
• Science: 3 Credits
• Foreign Language: 3 Credit*
• Art and/or Music: 1 Credit
• Health: ½ Credit
• Phys. Ed: 2 Credits
• Electives: 1 ½ Credit

Students are required to complete one unit of Foreign Language.

Students acquiring 5 units of credit in one area of Art, Music, Business or Career Technical Education may be exempt from the coursework.

Students with an IEP or 504 plan may have different testing and diploma options.

5 Regents Exams Required

• 1 Life or Physical Science Exam
• 1 Global Studies Regents Exam
• 1 Algebra Regents Exam
• 1 U.S. History Regents Exam
• 1 English Regents Exam

8 Regents Exams Required

• 1 Life Science Regents Exam
• 1 Physical Science Regents Exam
• 1 Algebra Regents Exam
• 1 Geometry Regents Exam
• 1 Algebra 2 and Trig. Regents Exam
• 1 Global Studies Regents Exam
• 1 U.S. History Regents Exam
• 1 English Regents Exam
• 1 Local Exam in Spanish

4 + 1 Pathways

1 English Regents
1 Math Regents
1 Science Regents
1 Social Studies Regents + A second Science or Math or State approved CTE exam