In order to graduate, public school students in Georgia must:
- Select a program of study
- Successfully complete the required high school coursework
- Pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests
- Satisfy attendance requirements
Programs of Study & Coursework
Students may choose from the following five programs of study. Upon completion, the student receives a high school diploma with a seal that matches the program of study.
| Type of Program of Study/Seal | Units |
|---|---|
| College Preparatory (CP) | 23 |
| College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+) | 24 |
| Technology/Career Preparatory (TC) | 23 |
| Technology/Career Preparatory with Distinction (TC+) | 24 |
| Dual | 22 |
Coursework
| Dual | CP | CP+ | TC | TC+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English/Language Arts* | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics* | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Science* | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Social Studies* | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Health & Physical Education | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Computer Technology &/or Fine Arts &/or Technology/Career-preparatory &/or Foreign Language |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Foreign Language* | 2 | 2 | 3**** | 0 | 0** |
| Technology/Career-preparatory units*** (from core Technology/Career-preparatory courses) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Locally required or elective units | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3** | 4** |
| State Electives from Core Courses (courses with a single asterisk) &/or Fine Arts | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTAL UNITS (MINIMUM) | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 24 |
*Core Courses
**Technology/Career-preparatory students may want to utilize an elective unit as Foreign Language or as a fourth unit of mathematics depending upon the student’s program of study and the student’s intentions to enter a University System of Georgia institution. The appropriate number of mathematics units for each Technology/Career-preparatory program of study shall be determined by the local board of education.
***Technology/Career-preparatory includes Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
****Many four year colleges are now requesting three years of one foreign language
High School Graduation Tests
All students are required to pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests or pass the End of Course Exam in order to earn a high school diploma. The GHSGT tests cover only a sample of the knowledge and skills that constitute a high school education. Students must pass all five of the following tests:
- English/Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Writing
Students begin taking the tests in their junior year. The Writing test is given in the fall and the other four content area tests are given in the spring. Students must pass all of the tests by the end of their senior year. Students have five opportunities to take each of the tests before the end of the twelfth grade.
Graduating from a Georgia Public High School
Graduation requirements for students entering ninth grade in 2008 and after (and graduating in 2012 and after)
In order to graduate, public school students in Georgia must:
The Georgia Department of Education has adopted new graduation rules which change the assessment requirements starting in 2011. The End of Course Assessment program is comprised of the following test that will eventually replace the GHSGT.- Satisfy attendance requirements
- Successfully complete the required high school coursework (23 units)
- Pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT)
- Pass the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT)
Diplomas & Coursework
Students completing high school will receive one of the following:
High School Diploma
Document awarded to students certifying that they have satisfied attendance requirements, unit requirements and the state assessments requirements.
High School Certificate
Document awarded to students who do not complete all of the criteria for a diploma or who have not passed the state assessment requirements but have earned 23 units and meet all local board requirements.
Special Education Diploma
Document awarded to students with disabilities assigned to a special education program and have not met the state assessment requirements or who have not completed all of the requirements for a high school diploma but have completed their Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
Students must complete 23 units of coursework in order to graduate.
| Type of Program of Study/Seal | Units |
|---|---|
| English/Language Arts | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science* | 4 |
| Social Studies | 3 |
| PE | 1/2 |
| Health | 1/2 |
| Required Electives**: Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE), &/or Modern Language/Latin, &/or Fine Arts | 3 |
| Electives | 4 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 23 |
*4th Science may be used to meet both science and elective requirement
**Student must complete 3 units in a CTAE pathway to complete the pathway; student must complete 2 years of the same foreign language for admissions to Georgia Board of Regents colleges/universities
Georgia High School Graduation Tests
All students are required to pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests in order to earn a high school diploma. The tests cover only a sample of the knowledge and skills that constitute a high school education. Students must pass all of the following tests:
- English/Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Students begin taking the tests in their junior year. Students have multiple opportunities to take each of the tests before the end of the twelfth grade.
Georgia High School Writing Test
Students are required to take and pass the Georgia High School Writing Test. Initially taken in the fall of the junior year, this 2 hour test evaluates persuasive writing ability.
Students have opportunities to retake the test before the end of the twelfth grade.
