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.
Class of 2020 Graduation Requirements
- Graduate Together VA – Virginia high school graduation ceremonies across the state may be different this year, but the VDOE wants to help ensure that the Class of 2020 receives the recognition that they have earned and deserve.
- Guidance on Graduation Requirements, Awarding of Credits, and Continuity of Learning – The goal of this document is to provide school divisions with information and solutions around graduation requirements, promotion, new instruction, and ease of process.
- 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 June 18, 2020.