GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
As of February 2022
Earning a Diploma in NYC
In New York City public schools, students can earn three types of diplomas: a local diploma,
a Regents diploma, or an advanced Regents diploma. Each is a valid high school diploma and
can be used to demonstrate graduation or enroll in programs after high school, like college
and the military. To earn a diploma, students must earn specific course credits (see table to
the right) and pass specific Regents exams (see table on the reserve side).
Minimum Credit Requirements
All students must earn 44 total credits across specific subject areas in order to graduate.
Subject-area requirements vary by the type of diploma and may also vary if a student earns
an endorsement. Ask your school counselor for more information about credit requirements.
Diploma Endorsements
Students may also earn endorsements to their diplomas. Endorsements recognize the
successful completion of additional courses and exams in particular subject areas. Ask your
school about the requirements for the following endorsements: Arts, Seal of Biliteracy,
Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS), Career and Technical Education
(CTE), Honors Designation, Mastery in Math, Mastery in Science, and the Service Seal.
Commencement Credentials
Students can earn two types of commencement credentials: the CDOS commencement
credential and the Skills and Achievement commencement credential. These credentials
recognize specific achievements, but they are not diplomas. Students who receive
commencement credentials may continue to attend school until they earn a high school
diploma or until the end of the school year in which they turn 21 (whichever occurs first).
Due to COVID-19, students who turned 21 within the 2020-21 school year may remain
enrolled for 2021-22 in pursuit of a high school diploma, credential, or endorsement. Ask
your school counselor for more information about commencement credentials.
Subject Area Minimum Credit Requirements
English Language Arts (ELA) 8
Social Studies
Global History
4
U.S. History 2
Participation in Government 1
Economics 1
Math
Including at least 2 credits of math
aligned to standards above Algebra
I, such as Geometry or Algebra II
6
Science (including labs)
Life Science
2
Physical Science 2
Additional Life or Physical Science 2
World Languages (formerly LOTE)
1
2 for local and Regents diplomas
6 for advanced Regents diploma
2
Visual Art, Music, Dance, and/or
Theater
2
Physical Education
Consistently throughout high school
4
Health 1
Electives
7 for local and Regents diplomas
3 for advanced Regents diploma
Total Credits 44
Career Development & Occupational
Studies (CDOS) Credential
Skills & Achievement Commencement
Credential
This credential recognizes students’
preparation for entry-level work aligned to
the CDOS learning standards. Students
complete a career plan, employability profile,
and 216 hours of career preparation
experiences, including at least 54 hours of
work-based
learning. The CDOS may be
awarded as a sole exiting credential, an
endorsement to a diploma, or used to fulfill an
exam requirement.
This credential recognizes students’ skills
and achievements in academic, career
development, and other foundations
needed for post-
school living, learning,
and working. This credential may only be
awarded to students with severe cognitive
disabilities who participate in the New
York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA).
1
Students with disabilities exempted from the world languages requirement must still earn 44
course credits required for a diploma through elective credits earned in other subject areas.
2
Students completing an Arts or CTE endorsement with the advanced Regents diploma are required
to complete only 2 credits of World Languages.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
As of February 2022
Minimum Exam Requirements
All students must pass at least five Regents exams or State-approved alternatives to Regents
exams in order to graduate. Subject-area requirements for exams vary by diploma type and
endorsement as described to the right. All students can earn a Regents or advanced Regents
diploma. Some students, including students with disabilities, can graduate with a local
diploma by earning different exam scores. Contact your school counselor to learn more about
Regents exams, State-approved alternatives, and these other exam flexibilities for students
who meet specific eligibility requirements:
• Appeals to graduate with low scores on Regents exams
• Safety Net flexibilities for students with disabilities
• Exam waivers for transfer students
• Performance-Based Assessment Tasks (PBATs) for students at State-approved schools
Regents Waivers
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) cancelled multiple Regents
administrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, students in grades who intended
to take Regents exams during these administration periods and met NYSED’s eligibility
criteria, waived that assessment requirement for the associated diploma, endorsement, or
credential. A waived Regents exam counts as a score of 65 toward exam requirements.
Toward College & Career Readiness
Coursework, exam scores, and activities outside the classroom can support students in
working towards their goals for after high school.
Coursework: Students can prepare for college-level work by taking higher-level courses in
high school. These courses may include:
• 8-credit course sequence in math, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
• 8-credit course sequence in science, including Living Environment, Chemistry, and Physics
• Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Honors courses
• Courses for college credit, such as College Now or CUNY Early College
Exams: High exam scores can help students avoid taking remedial classes in college. For
CUNY, students may meet the college readiness requirement based on certain test scores.
See the CUNY Testing FAQs (http://bit.ly/CUNYReady
) to learn more.
Regents Exam
Local diploma
(eligible
students only)
Regents
diploma
Advanced Regents
diploma
English Language
Arts (ELA)
55+ 65+ 65+
Social Studies
• U.S. History
• Global History
& Geography
55+ on one
social studies
exam
65+ on one
social studies
exam
65+ on one social
studies exam
Math
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
55+ on one
math exam
65+ on one
math exam
65+ on all three
math exams
Science
• Living
Environment
• Earth Science
• Chemistry
• Physics
55+ on one
science exam
65+ on one
science exam
65+ on Living
Environment and
one other science
exam
World Languages
(formerly LOTE)
Not Required Not Required
65+ on one World
Languages exam
3
+1 option
• Any additional
Regents exam
• State-approved
+1 option
Requirements
vary
Requirements
vary
Requirements vary
Total Exams 5 5 9
se n
3
Students completing an Arts or CTE endorsement with the advanced Regents diploma are not
required to take the World Languages exam. Likewise, students whose IEP indicates that a disability
negatively affects their ability to learn a language are not required to take the World Languages
exam to receive an advanced Regents diploma.
