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Graduation Requirements

 

Introduction

In order to earn a diploma and graduate from a Virginia high school, students must earn standard units of credit and verified units of credit. The Virginia Board of Education’s Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (also referred to as the Standards of Accreditation), at 8VAC20-131, provide the requirements for graduation in Virginia. The number of standard and verified credits required varies by diploma type and the year in which the student entered ninth grade. More information on the number of credits required can be found on the webpages for each diploma type:

Standard Credit

In accordance with 8VAC20-131-110(A) of the Standards of Accreditation (SOA), a "standard unit of credit" or "standard credit" is a credit awarded for a course in which the student successfully completes 140 clock hours of instruction and the requirements of the course.

School divisions may waive the 140 clock hour requirement and elect to award credit on a basis other than the 140 clock hours of instruction. Such school divisions must develop a written policy and comply with Board of Education guidelines. The Board of Education guidelines may be found in the Guidance Document Governing Certain Provisions of the SOA, under 8VAC20-131-110 in the section titled “Alternatives to the 140 Clock Hour Requirement for Standard Units of Credit.”

Verified Credit

In accordance with 8VAC20-131-110(B) of the Standards of Accreditation, a "verified unit of credit" or "verified credit" is a credit awarded for a course in which a student earns a standard unit of credit and completes one of the following:

  • Achieves a passing score on a corresponding end-of-course SOL test.
  • Achieves a passing score on an additional test, as defined in 8VAC20-131-5, as a part of the Virginia Assessment Program.
  • Meets the criteria for the receipt of a locally awarded verified credit (see below) when the student has not passed a corresponding SOL test.

Some school divisions may also permit students to earn a verified credit in English writing by demonstrating mastery of the content of the associated course on an authentic performance assessment that complies with guidelines adopted by the Board of Education.

Locally Awarded Verified Credit

To be eligible to earn locally awarded verified credits in English, mathematics, science, or history/social science, a student must:

  • Pass the high school course,
  • Score within a 375-399 scale score range on any administration of the Standards of Learning test after taking the test at least twice, and
  • Demonstrate achievement in the academic content through an appeal process administered at the local level.

As a result of the comprehensive review and revision of the Standards of Accreditation that occurred in 2017, graduation requirements differ for students who began ninth grade prior to the 2018-2019 school year and those that entered ninth grade in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter. Accordingly, the number of locally-awarded verified credits and the diplomas to which they may be applied are different for these groups of students.

Advanced Studies Diploma Course Requirements (8VAC20-131-51)
Subject Area Standard Credits Verified Credits Specifications
English 4 2 N/A
Mathematics 4 1 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. AP Computer science A or IB Computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a mathematics course credit.
Laboratory Science 4 1 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 and shall include interdisciplinary courses that incorporate Standards of Learning content from multiple academic areas. The board shall approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement. AP Computer science A or IB Computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a science credit but does not count towards the science disciplinary requirements for a standard or advanced diploma.
History and Social Sciences 4 1 Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include Virginia and U.S. history, Virginia and U.S. government, and two courses in either world history or geography or both. The board shall approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
World Language 3 0

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

 

A student who is pursuing an advanced diploma and whose IEP specifies a credit accommodation for world language may substitute two standard units of credit in computer science for two standard units of credit in a world language.
Health and Physical Education 2 0 N/A
Fine Arts or Career and Technical Ed 1 0 An approved computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a career and technical credit.
Economics & Personal Finance 1 0 N/A
Electives 3 0 Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives. More information is provided in the Guidance Document Governing Certain Provisions of the SOA (8VAC-20-131) (Word) and Superintendent’s Memo #067-21.
Total Credits 26 5

N/A

Standard Diploma Course Requirements (8VAC20-131-51)
Subject Area Standard Credits Verified Credits Specifications
English 4 2 N/A
Mathematics 3 1 Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: algebra I, geometry, algebra functions, and data analysis, algebra II, or other mathematics courses approved by the board to satisfy this requirement. AP Computer science A or IB Computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a mathematics course credit.
Laboratory Science 3 1

Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selection from at least two different science disciplines: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics, or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses that incorporate SOL content from multiple academic areas. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. AP Computer science A or IB Computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a science credit but does not count towards the science disciplinary requirement for a standard or advanced diploma.

 

A laboratory science verified credit may be awarded to students who complete a career and technical education (CTE) program sequence and (i) pass two examinations or occupational competency assessments in a CTE field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, trade, or professional association; (ii) acquire two professional licenses in a CTE field from the Commonwealth of Virginia; or (iii) pass one examination or competency assessment from clause (i) and acquire one license from clause (ii). The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the board as an additional test to verify student achievement. 

 
History and Social Sciences 3 1

Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include Virginia and U.S. history, Virginia and U.S. government, and one course in either world history or geography or both. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.
Health and Physical Education 2 0 N/A
World Language, Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education 2 0 Credits earned for this requirement shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or career and technical education. An approved computer science course credit earned by students may be considered a career and technical course credit.
Economics & Personal Finance 1 0 N/A
Electives 4 0 Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives. More information is provided in the Guidance Document Governing Certain Provisions of the SOA (8VAC-20-131) (Word) and Superintendent’s Memo #067-21.
Total 22 5 N/A

Understanding the Applied Studies Diploma

The VDOE's new resource, Understanding the Applied Studies Diploma (PDF) is here to assist families with understanding everything they need to know related to this specific diploma option.  An accessible Word document version (Word) as well as an accessible Spanish Word document version (Word), is also available.

Curriculum Map

The Applied Studies Curriculum Map (PDF) consists of a Guide (Word), and six domains that outline skills and competencies that IEP teams can use to identify the need for additional instruction to assist students in meeting their postsecondary goals. The domains include:

The skills outlined are not standards required to earn an Applied Studies Diploma but are intended to provide guidance to teams in aligning the student’s postsecondary goals with annual IEP goals. The Applied Studies Curriculum Map provides a guide that teachers, students, families, and other team members can use to identify skills that will have a direct impact on the student achieving their postsecondary goals.

Purpose

  1. To provide statewide guidance to IEP teams to develop goals and objectives that will:
    • provide the student with instruction that directly address deficits leading to their post-secondary goals;
    • supplement instruction on state standards (Virginia Standards of Learning or Aligned Standards of Learning); and
    • provide a mechanism for linking skills back to state standards.
  2. To improve communication of skills and provide a common planning resource
    • increase student participation, self-determination and motivation;
    • inform parents/ guardians/ advocates of critical skills; and
    • assist with long-term planning beginning as the student enters transition age.
  3. To promote the incorporation of evidence based practices and predictors into student programs
    • support opportunities for instruction in real-life scenarios;
    • provide resources related to evidence based practices and data-based decision making; and
    • increase use of authentic assessment.

Additional Requirements for Graduation

  • AP, Honors, IB, Dual Enrollment, Work-Based Learning, or CTE Credential -  Students shall (i) complete an Advanced Placement, honors, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment course; or (ii) complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or (iii) earn a career and technical education credential approved by the board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the advanced studies diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment.
  • First Aid, CPR, and AED Training - Students shall be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED), including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Students with an IEP or 504 Plan that documents that they cannot successfully complete this training shall be granted a waiver from this graduation requirement, as provided in 8VAC20-131-420(B).
  • Demonstration of the 5 C’s – In accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, students shall acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in Virginia’s 5 C’s: critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship.