Skip to main content
Standards and Instruction

General Education and Diploma Requirements

Additional Resources

Diploma Types

All New York State students have access to the local diploma, the Regents diploma, and the Regents diploma with advanced designation. Any diploma type requires the successful completion of the appropriate 22 units of credits. The difference between diploma types lies in the number of assessments the student passed and the required passing score(s). Reference the New York State Diploma Requirements Applicable to All Students Enrolled in Grades 9-12 or the Diploma/Credential Requirements for more information.

Assessment Requirements for a Regents or Local Diploma

In addition to successful completion of the appropriate 22 units of credits, in order to earn a Regents or local diploma, students must pass*:

* Eligible students may meet the assessment requirements using Appeals, Safety Nets, and Superintendent Determination. Students granted an exemption from any examination are not required to pass such specific examination to meet the assessment requirements for any diploma type (local, Regents, or Regents with advanced designation). 

Assessment Requirements for a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation

In addition to successful completion of the appropriate 22 units of credit, in order to earn a Regents diploma with advanced designation, students must pass* two additional math assessments and one additional science assessment along with the required 4-5 assessments included in any of the pathways. This totals 7 Regents exams or NYSED-Approved Regents Examination Alternatives and one pathway. 

* Eligible students may meet the assessment requirements using Appeals, Safety Nets, and Superintendent Determination. Students granted an exemption from any examination are not required to pass such specific examination to meet the assessment requirements for any diploma type (local, Regents, or Regents with advanced designation). 

In addition, to earn the advanced designation, students must choose one of the three sequence options below:

2 additional credits in World Languages (for a total of 3 credits) and the locally developed Checkpoint B World Languages Exam 5-unit sequence in the Arts 5-unit sequence in CTE

The 5-unit sequence, leading to the Regents diploma with advanced designation, is at the discretion of the district. The sequence should be a meaningful group of courses building upon a student’s skills and interests in a particular area. The NYSED recommends the sequence begin with a foundational course and then advance through electives in the discipline;  however, the district has the responsibility to determine what ultimately the sequence will include.  The NYSED does not have specific course requirements to be included in the 5-unit sequence in either the Arts or CTE for advanced designation. 

Note:  A student exempt from the World Languages credit requirement who seeks a Regents diploma with advanced designation does NOT have to complete the 5-unit sequence in the Arts or CTE in lieu of the World Languages sequence in order to meet the assessment requirements for the advanced diploma.

For further questions and comments, email emscurric@nysed.gov (general questions) or emscgradreq@nysed.gov (questions related to graduation requirements), or call (518) 474-5922.