Graduation Requirements
Profile of a Virginia Graduate
The Profile of a Virginia Graduate comprises the course and credit requirements students must meet to earn a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma and the skills, experiences, and attributes essential for success in college and the work force.
Students meeting the Profile of a Virginia Graduate achieve the commonwealth’s high academic standards and graduate from high school with workplace skills, an understanding of their responsibilities as citizens, and career plans aligned with their talents, interests and experiences.
Diploma Options
Most Virginia students graduate with either an Advanced Studies Diploma or a Standard Diploma. Other diploma options are available for eligible students with disabilities and adult learners.
Graduation Resources
The following resources explain the options for meeting the commonwealth's graduation requirements.
Policy & Initiatives
Policies and initiatives support the commonwealth's vision of college and career readiness for all students.
COVID-19 Graduation Resources
- Emergency Guidelines for Local Alternatives to Awarding Standard Units of Credit-This is a Word document. – Approved by the Virginia Board of Education on April 2, 2020.
- Emergency Guidelines for Locally-Awarded Verified Credits-This is a Word document. – Approved by the Virginia Board of Education on January 28, 2021.
- Spring 2020 Guidance on Graduation Requirements, Awarding of Credits, and Continuity of Learning – The guidance on this webpage pertains to those students enrolled in spring 2020. This page has been maintained as a reference for historical context. For current graduation requirements, please see the links on this page under "Diploma Options".