Maryland Diploma Requirements

The state of Maryland authorizes one kind of diploma for all high school graduates, based upon successful fulfillment of the following four kinds of requirements: enrollment, credit, courses, student service learning. MCPS requirements are designated below with a double asterisk (**). Requirements are summarized below.

Enrollment Requirement

Students must satisfactorily complete four years beyond Grade 8. (For exceptions, see Alternatives to Four-Year Enrollment, page iv)

Credit Requirement

**22 (At least 4 credits must be earned after the completion of Grade 11, unless a pre-approved MCPS alternative is satisfied.)

Course Requirements

  • English - 4 credits
  • Fine Arts - 1 credit (Selected courses in Art, Dance, Drama/Theater, and Music that satisfy the Fine Arts requirement are marked FA)
  • Technology Education - 1 credit (Courses in Career and Technology Education that satisfy the Technology Education requirement are marked TE.)
  • Mathematics - **4 credits (1 credit Algebra, 1 credit Geometry) Students who have successfully completed a Calculus course offered by MCPS may be exempted from the 4-credit requirement in mathematics.
  • Science - 3 credits (1 Biology credit and 1 Physical Science credit must be included in the 3 credits)
  • Social Studies - 3 credits (1 credit U.S. History; 1 credit World History; and 1 credit National, State, and Local Government)
  • Physical Education - **1 credit
  • Health Education - ½ credit