Graduation Requirements

Advanced Studies Diploma: Minimum Course & Credit Requirements

To graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma, a student must earn at least 24 standard units of credit and at least nine verified units of credit. The school counselor can advise on available courses to fulfill the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma.

Please note: Your school counselor can tell you which courses are offered by your school to fulfill the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma.

Approved Courses – for the Standard, Standard Technical, Advanced Studies and Advanced Technical Diplomas:

Advanced Studies Diploma Course Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-50.C)
Discipline Area	Standard Credits: effective with first-time ninth graders in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011	Standard Credits: effective with first-time ninth graders in 2011-2012 and beyond	Verified Credits - effective with ninth graders in 2000-2001 and beyond
English	4	4	2
Mathematics [Note 1]	4	4	2
Laboratory Science [Note 2]	4	4	2
History & Social Sciences [Note 3]	4	4	2
Foreign Languages [Note 4]	3	3
Health & Physical Education	2	2
Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education	1	1
Economics and Personal Finance		1
Electives	2	3
Student Selected Test [ Note 5]			1
Total	24	26	9

NOTE 1

For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall be at or above the level of algebra and shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.

NOTE 2

For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry or physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.

NOTE 3

For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and two courses in either world history or geography or both. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and two courses in either world history or geography or both. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.

NOTE 4

Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages.

NOTE 5

For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career or technical education or other areas as prescribed by the Board in 8 VAC 20-131-110.
For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career or technical education, economics or other areas as prescribed by the Board in 8 VAC 20-131-110.

Electives

Fine Arts and Career and Technical Education – The Standard, Advanced Studies, and Modified Standard Diplomas each contain a requirement for one standard unit of credit in Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education. The Standards of Accreditation do not require that courses used to satisfy the requirement of Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education be approved by the Board. Therefore, local school officials should use their own judgment in determining which courses students take to satisfy this requirement.
Foreign Language—The Advanced Studies Diploma contains a requirement for either three years of one foreign language or two years of two languages. In March 1998, the Board of Education approved the provision of three years of instruction in American Sign Language (ASL) for foreign language credit toward an Advanced Studies Diploma; other foreign languages will satisfy this requirement as well. Details of this action are available in: Superintendent's Memo, Interpretive, #1, June 12, 1998.

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