Diploma Information

While there are multiple means of earning units of credit towards a diploma, typically students earn diploma credit through the mastery of the learning outcomes set forth in a locally developed syllabus for a given high school subject, after the student had the opportunity to complete a unit of study (180 minutes of instruction per week throughout the school year, or the equivalent).  The credit requirements below apply to all diploma types: local, Regents, and Regents with advanced designation. 

*Students with disabilities may be excused from the requirement for 1 unit of credit in World Languages if so indicated on their Individualized Education Program (IEP), but they must still earn 22 units of credit to graduate.  Such students are also exempt from the sequence requirement for earning a Regents diploma with advanced designation. 

Regents or Local Diploma

In addition to successful completion of the appropriate units of credits, to earn a Regents or local diploma, students must pass*:

• one English language arts Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative;
• one mathematics Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative;
• one science Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative;
• one social studies Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative; and
• one pathway (see Multiple Pathways for more information).

* Eligible students may meet the assessment requirements using Appeals, Safety Nets, and Superintendent Determination. Students granted an exemption from any examination are not required to pass such specific examination to meet the assessment requirements for any diploma type (local, Regents, or Regents with advanced designation).

The honors endorsement may be awarded to students who complete the credit requirements for the Regents diploma. To earn the honors endorsement, a student must meet the assessment requirements for the Regents diploma and also earn a computed average of 90 or above on the Regents Exams applicable to their diploma type (no rounding up is permitted).

To earn the Regents diploma with advanced designation, students must also complete one of the three sequence options:

• two additional credits in World Languages (for a total of three credits) and the locally developed Checkpoint B World Languages Exam,
• 5-unit sequence in the Arts, or
• 5-unit sequence in Career and Technical Education (CTE).

The 5-unit sequence, leading to the Regents diploma with advanced designation, is at the discretion of the district. The sequence should be a meaningful group of courses building upon a student’s skills and interests in a particular area. NYSED recommends the sequence begin with a foundational course and then advance through electives in the discipline; however, the district has the responsibility to determine what ultimately the sequence will include.  NYSED does not have specific course requirements to be included in the 5-unit sequence in either the Arts or CTE for advanced designation. 

Note:  A student exempt from the World Languages credit requirement who seeks a Regents diploma with advanced designation does NOT have to complete the 5-unit sequence in the Arts or CTE in lieu of the World Languages sequence in order to meet the assessment requirements for the advanced diploma.

In addition to successful completion of the appropriate units of credit, to earn a Regents diploma with advanced designation, students must pass* two additional math assessments and one additional science assessment to include:

• one English language arts Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative;
• three mathematics Regents Examinations or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternatives;
• one life science Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative;
• one physical science Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative;
• one social studies Regents Examination or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternative; and
• one pathway (see Multiple Pathways for more information).

* Eligible students may meet the assessment requirements for advanced designation using special appeals. Students granted an exemption from any examination are not required to pass such specific examination to meet the assessment requirements for any diploma type (local, Regents, or Regents with advanced designation). 

To earn the Regents diploma with advanced designation, students must also complete one of the three sequence options:

• two additional credits in World Languages (for a total of three credits) and the locally developed Checkpoint B World Languages Exam,
• 5-unit sequence in the Arts, or
• 5-unit sequence in Career and Technical Education (CTE).

The 5-unit sequence, leading to the Regents diploma with advanced designation, is at the discretion of the district. The sequence should be a meaningful group of courses building upon a student’s skills and interests in a particular area. NYSED recommends the sequence begin with a foundational course and then advance through electives in the discipline; however, the district has the responsibility to determine what ultimately the sequence will include.  NYSED does not have specific course requirements to be included in the 5-unit sequence in either the Arts or CTE for advanced designation. 

Note:  A student exempt from the World Languages credit requirement who seeks a Regents diploma with advanced designation does NOT have to complete the 5-unit sequence in the Arts or CTE in lieu of the World Languages sequence in order to meet the assessment requirements for the advanced diploma.

The honors endorsement may be awarded to students who complete the credit requirements for the Regents diploma with advanced designation.  To earn the honors endorsement, a student must meet the assessment requirements for the Regents with advanced designation and also earn a computed average of 90 or above on the Regents Exams applicable to their diploma type (no rounding up is permitted).

Mastery in Mathematics

Student completed all the requirements for the Regents diploma with advanced designation; and

• passed 3 Regents Exams in mathematics with a score of 85 or higher; or
• passed 2 Regents Exams in mathematics with a score of 85 or higher and was granted an exemption on a third Regents Exam in mathematics; or
• passed 1 Regents Exams in mathematics with an 85 or higher and earned a final course grade of 85 or higher in 2 additional mathematics courses culminating in a Regents Exam for which an exemption was granted.

Mastery in Science

Student completed all the requirements for the Regents diploma with advanced designation; and

• passed 3 Regents Exams in science with a score of 85 or higher; or
• passed 2 Regents Exams in science with a score of 85 or higher and was granted an exemption on a third Regents Exam in science; or
• passed 1 Regents Exams in science with an 85 or higher and earned a final course grade of 85 or higher in 2 additional science courses culminating in a Regents Exam for which an exemption was granted.