Penn State High School Diploma Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Educational attainment in the United States is at an all-time high, as measured by rising high school graduation rates. However, concerns persist regarding the quality of education represented by a high school diploma, particularly in the absence of corresponding increases in college graduation rates, youth employment, and civic participation. A high school education should ensure that students are prepared for their chosen pathways, including college, careers, and civic life.

The Significance of a High School Diploma

In the United States, a high school diploma signifies the successful completion of education from kindergarten through 12th grade. It typically involves coursework from grades nine through 12 in subjects such as math, reading, social studies, science, and electives like fine arts and physical education. The diploma is a fundamental requirement for most jobs in the United States.

Variability in Diploma Requirements

Despite its importance, the value of a high school diploma varies significantly from state to state. The only uniform requirement across states is the method for calculating the percentage of students who graduate within four or more years. Since the 2010-11 academic year, states have been required to publish a cohort rate that compares graduates to the ninth-grade class four years prior.

State-Level Coursework Requirements

This report focuses on the high school coursework requirements needed to obtain a basic, non-advanced high school diploma at the state level. These requirements may be the only ones in some states, while others may have additional requirements at the local school district level. Some states may also offer multiple pathways to a non-advanced diploma, including one for the general student population and another for students with disabilities who may need modifications in coursework. This analysis excludes the latter.

Alignment with College Readiness

The amount of study required in each high school subject to earn a standard diploma should match or exceed the requirements for admission to public state university systems. This analysis compares state high school graduation requirements for a standard diploma to a quality rubric that includes benchmarks for college and career readiness, such as a 15-credit college readiness high school course sequence and at least three courses in the same CTE field.

Addressing Alignment and Quality Concerns

One promising approach to address alignment and quality concerns is competency-based graduation requirements. Instead of measuring credits in specific subjects, these requirements require students to demonstrate mastery of academic knowledge through assessments or other means. However, this approach is still in its early stages, and its effectiveness in addressing the quality of learning is not yet known.

The Preparation Gap

In almost every state, there is a preparation gap in at least one subject, requiring students seeking admission to the state's public four-year university system to take additional coursework not required for a standard high school diploma. This additional coursework may or may not be available on the high school campus, which can significantly impact under-resourced student populations. The preparation gap can also affect students' readiness for college-level coursework.

Students need support in identifying the coursework that satisfies both high school diploma and college admission requirements. High school diploma requirements are often complex, offering students multiple options to fulfill requirements, particularly in math, science, social studies, and foreign language. Colleges, however, are usually more specific about the coursework required.

Analysis of Coursework Requirements

Each state administers a public university system, often with multiple campuses. Coursework requirements for both high school graduation and college admissions fall into two areas: years of study required and type of coursework, or course sequence. These requirements are assessed against a state's public university system admissions criteria for academic coursework in subjects such as math, English, science, social studies, foreign language, fine arts, physical education/health, and electives.

To calculate the amount of study required, the authors used Carnegie units, where one unit equals 120 hours of class time over the course of a year. Most states already use this method, but any states not using Carnegie units were converted to the Carnegie method for this analysis. The years of study analysis includes all states except Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, which require demonstration of mastery instead of specific coursework unit requirements. Each state reviewed its data compiled for this report to ensure accuracy.

Years of Study: Alignment and Misalignment

Years of study capture how much study students must complete in a subject area. However, this metric alone does not measure academic readiness because it does not account for content mastery, especially when students complete courses with low grades or the academic standards on which the courses are based are not rigorous.

Foreign Language

There is the least alignment in the number of units required in foreign language. Almost half of the states require less than college expectations, typically two years of study.

Math

While most states meet or exceed college expectations in math, nearly one in five require less than college expectations. The types of math courses and the sequence in which they are taken are crucial for both high school graduation and college admissions. For example, the California and Montana public university systems require three years of math, one year more than what is required for a high school diploma.

English

There is the most agreement in the units required for English, where 44 states meet college expectations, usually four years of study. Only one state-California-fails to meet college expectations in years of study in English.

Science

Four states require fewer units of science for high school graduation than for college admissions. While there seems to be a high degree of alignment in the years of study for science, there is potentially a high degree of misalignment in course type. Science requirements span three component parts: years of study, subject, and course type, and state high school graduation requirements can be misaligned in any of these areas.

Read also: Penn State Admission: Average ACT

Social Studies

Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin require less than college expectations in social studies. All these states, except New Hampshire, require one year fewer for a high school diploma than is required for public university admission.

Physical Education, Art, and Electives

These subjects are generally required to a lesser degree for college admissions than for high school graduation. Nine states require the same number of years of study to earn a high school diploma and meet the threshold for state public college admissions. However, 39 states exceed college expectations in years of study required in physical education and health. Two states-California and South Carolina-do not meet college expectations for years of study of fine arts. Two states-Wisconsin and Wyoming-require less than college expectations in the number of years of study in electives.

Course Type Analysis

States may require specific courses and sequences, such as Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, where three years of math are required. Where four years are required, states may require only some specific courses, such as Algebra I and Geometry, and allow students to choose among the options to fulfill two additional math course requirements. Alternatively, states may simply require a number of years of study without specifying course types. Each of these scenarios also applies to college admissions.

This analysis compares the type of courses required in math, English, science, social studies, foreign language, and "other" coursework to receive a high school diploma against the courses required for college admissions. The authors base course type solely on the name of the course.

Penn State High School Diploma Requirements

Penn State University outlines specific minimum high school requirements for admission to both four-year and two-year degree programs. These requirements apply to all students seeking admission. Additional requirements may apply depending on the applicant type.

High School Requirements for a Four-Year Degree

The table below outlines the minimum high school academic requirements for admission to a four-year program by units of study. One unit typically equals one year of work.

Category 1:

Majors in these colleges at University Park:
- Smeal College of Business
- College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Information Sciences and Technology
- Eberly College of Science
Majors at other campuses:
- Information Technology programs at Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Behrend, Brandywine, Greater Allegheny, Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley, and Schuylkill
- Business programs at Behrend and Harrisburg
- Engineering/Engineering Technology at Altoona, Behrend, Berks, and Harrisburg
- Science at Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine, Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, and Scranton

Category 2:

Business programs at Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, Scranton, World Campus
All other four-year majors at the University and the Division of Undergraduate Studies

Math Requirement: Some colleges and majors require the completion of additional math in high school to be eligible for admission. Statistics does not meet the math requirement for those programs.

World Language Requirement: Two units in a single world language other than English are required. American Sign Language can be used to satisfy the World Language requirement for admission. A student may be admitted with fewer than two units in a world language other than English but must correct this deficiency by the time they graduate from Penn State. This deficiency may be corrected by passing one three-credit or four-credit college-level world language course, by earning transferable credits from another institution, or by demonstrating proficiency equivalent to two units of high school world language study.

High School Requirements for a Two-Year Degree

The table outlines the minimum high school academic requirements for admission to a two-year program by units of study. One unit typically equals one year of work.

Information for Applicants with a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School Equivalency (HSE)

Applicants who did not graduate from high school and earned a GED/HSE must provide official high school transcripts through the last year they completed, AND an official GED/HSE transcript. All high school and GED/HSE transcripts must be sent directly to Penn State from the high school (educational institution of origin) or GED testing center to be considered official.

Alternative Pathways to High School Completion

For students who may not thrive in a traditional high school setting, alternative pathways to earning a high school diploma exist, including online high schools like Penn Foster.

Online High Schools

Online high schools offer a flexible learning environment where students can learn at their own pace. These programs typically include standard classes like English, math, history, and science, as well as electives to fit future goals.

Penn Foster High School

Penn Foster High School is a nationally and regionally accredited online high school that offers a self-paced learning environment. There are no set schedules or deadlines, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Penn Foster provides tools and resources to support students throughout their educational journey.

State-Specific High School Diploma Requirements

High school graduation requirements vary by state, and it is essential to understand the specific requirements in your state to ensure you are on track to graduate. Here's an overview of the high school diploma requirements in several states:

Florida

To earn your high school diploma online in Florida, you just need to follow a few steps. First, you’ll want to find a school that works for you. Then, once you know that the online high school is the right fit, you’ll want to enroll. If you’re under 18 and still in high school, your parent or guardian will need to work with your guidance counselor to transfer you. If you’re an adult, you can go ahead and enroll and get started whenever you’re ready.

Georgia

In Georgia, students must earn 23 credits to graduate from high school. Students also need to pass state assessments and meet other requirements set by the Georgia Department of Education.

Illinois

In Illinois, you earn a high school diploma by completing specific requirements, whether you study in-person or online. Starting in Spring 2025, high school juniors in public Illinois high schools will be required to take the ACT to graduate.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, students need 22 credits to graduate high school. There is also a required civics exam students must pass as well as a financial literacy course. All juniors (11th-grade students) take the ACT in the spring as part of the state’s accountability and college-readiness assessment program.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, students must earn 22 credits to graduate from high school. Adults in North Carolina can pursue a high school diploma through adult high school programs, which are offered in various community colleges across the state. Alternatively, adults can also consider earning a GED, which is widely recognized as an equivalent to a high school diploma, or complete an online high school diploma like Penn Foster.

New York

In New York, high school students must earn 22 credits to graduate with a diploma. To earn a Regents diploma, students must also pass five Regents exams.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, high school students must fulfill certain graduation requirements that include both credit-based coursework and assessments. Students are not required to pass all Keystone Exams to graduate, but they must participate.

South Carolina

In South Carolina, students must earn 24 credits to graduate from high school.

Texas

In Texas, students must complete 22 credits under the Foundation High School Program to graduate. Required subjects include English, math, science, and social studies. For Texas public schools, you need to be under 21 to earn your high school diploma. You can, however, finish high school online in Texas at any age with an online diploma program.

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