New York State Graduation Requirements, Made Simple: Credits, Exams, Pathways, and Diploma Types

Why New York State Graduation Requirements Matter (and Why They Can Feel Confusing)

Graduation planning in New York State (NYS) can feel like juggling two separate checklists at once—and that’s because it is. To earn a NYS high school diploma, students must meet both credit requirements and exam (assessment) requirements. These two sets of requirements are separate and distinct, meaning they don’t have to happen at the same time.

For example, a student might complete most of their required credits by the end of 11th grade, but still need to pass required exams (plus a pathway) in 12th grade. Or a student might pass several Regents exams early, but still need to finish course credits before graduation.

Also important: school districts may add additional diploma requirements beyond what the New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires. So families should always confirm local expectations with their school.

The Big Picture: What Students Need to Graduate in NYS

At a high level, NYS graduation requirements include:

• 22 total units of credit across required subject areas
• Exam requirements: pass 4 exams (one in each core area) + 1 pathway

Let’s break those down in plain language.

Part 1: NYS Credit Requirements (22 Total)

Credits are earned by successfully completing courses. NYS outlines minimum credit totals by subject area, but in many subjects students can choose from different courses to meet those minimums.

Required Credits by Subject

• English: 4 credits
• Social Studies: 4 credits, distributed as:
  • Global History and Geography: 2
  • U.S. History: 1
  • Participation in Government: 0.5
  • Economics: 0.5
• Science: 3 credits, distributed as:
  • Life Science: 1
  • Physical Science: 1
  • Life Science or Physical Science: 1
• Mathematics: 3 credits
• World Languages: 1 credit*
• Visual Art, Music, Dance, and/or Theater: 1 credit
• Physical Education: 2 credits (participation each semester)
• Health: 0.5 credit
• Electives: 3.5 credits
• Total: 22 credits

*Important note for students with disabilities: Students with disabilities may be excused from the 1 unit of credit in World Languages if this is indicated on their IEP. However, they must still earn 22 total credits to graduate.

Part 2: NYS Exam Requirements (4 Core Exams + 1 Pathway)

In addition to credits, students must meet NYS exam requirements. The structure is straightforward:

• Pass one exam (a Regents exam or a Department-approved alternative) in each of these four subject areas:
  • English Language Arts (ELA)
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies
• Plus one pathway (more on this below)

In other words: 4 + 1. Four required subject-area exams, plus one additional pathway option that can align with a student’s interests and goals.

If a Student Struggles With Regents Passing Scores

NYSED notes that if students are not able to earn a passing score of 65 on Regents exams, they may be eligible for:

• Appeals
• Safety Nets
• Superintendent Determination

These options can be especially relevant when a student has strong classroom performance but faces barriers on high-stakes testing.

Part 3: Pathway Requirements (Choices That Fit Student Goals)

Pathways are designed to give students multiple ways to demonstrate readiness for life after high school. To complete a pathway, students must meet the requirements of one of the options below.

Available NYS Pathways

• Arts Pathway: Earn a passing score on a Department-approved pathway exam in the Arts.
• CDOS (Career Development and Occupational Studies) Pathway:
  • Complete 216 hours of CTE coursework that includes at least 54 hours of Work-Based Learning, and complete a career plan and an Employability profile, or
  • Pass a Department-approved CDOS pathway exam
• CTE (Career and Technical Education) Pathway: Successfully complete a Department-approved CTE program (including 3–5 CTE courses) and earn a passing score on the 3-part technical exam.
• Humanities Pathway: Earn a passing score on one additional Regents exam or Department-approved alternative in English or social studies.
• World Languages Pathway: Earn a passing score on a Department-approved pathway exam in a world language.
• STEM Pathway: Earn a passing score on one additional Regents exam or Department-approved alternative in mathematics or science.

From a planning perspective, pathways can be a great opportunity for students to lean into strengths—whether that’s hands-on career training, advanced STEM coursework, or arts-focused learning.

Part 4: Diploma Types in New York State

There are currently three types of NYS high school diplomas:

• Local Diploma
• Regents Diploma
• Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation

What All Diploma Types Have in Common

All three diploma types require students to earn the same 22 units of credit described earlier.

Local Diploma (Typically Through Additional Options)

Students who meet the credit requirements and use appeals, safety nets, or Superintendent Determination to meet exam requirements typically earn a local diploma.

Regents Diploma

Students who meet the credit requirements and earn passing scores on all required exams earn a Regents diploma.

NYSED also notes an important flexibility point: students can appeal one Regents exam if the score is no more than 5 points below passing (a score of 60–64) and still earn a Regents diploma.

Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation

This option is for students completing more advanced exam and course sequences. Students who:

• Meet credit requirements
• Earn passing scores on all required exams
• Include 2 additional math exams and 1 additional science exam
• Complete a sequence in LOTE (Languages Other Than English), the Arts, or CTE

…can earn a Regents diploma with Advanced Designation.

Practical Tips for Schools and Families

• Start early: Map out credits and exam plans by 9th or 10th grade so there are no surprises in senior year.
• Track credits and testing separately: A student can be “on track” in courses but behind in exams (or vice versa).
• Use pathways strategically: The pathway can be a smart way to align graduation requirements with career interests, strengths, and postsecondary goals.
• Confirm local district requirements: Districts may add expectations beyond NYSED’s minimums.

How TinyEYE Supports Schools Working Toward Student Success

Meeting graduation requirements takes more than scheduling classes—it often requires consistent student support across communication, learning readiness, and engagement. TinyEYE provides online therapy services to schools, helping teams expand access to services that support students in reaching their educational goals.

When students receive the right support at the right time, they’re better positioned to participate in instruction, complete coursework, and stay on track toward graduation.

For more information, please follow this link.