Learn what requirements must be met to obtain a high school diploma in Connecticut. Find out the credits required, the courses that must be taken, and more by reading below.
What Does the State of Connecticut Require to Graduate from High School with a Diploma?
Beginning with the incoming class of freshmen in the 2019-2020 school year, Connecticut will require students to obtain a minimum of 25 credits to graduate high school, up from 20 credits required for classes before. These 25 credits include two primary categories: the first is the humanities, which includes English, social studies, and fine arts, and the second is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which includes science and mathematics. Additionally, courses in health and physical education, world languages, and a 'diploma assessment' will be required. The requirements are deliberately open-ended, intending for students to have greater freedom customizing their education, although local school districts may add more traditionally structured requirements.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Connecticut Graduation Requirements</b></td><td> 25 credits for students entering high school in 2019 or later</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Humanities Requirements</b></td><td> 9 credits of humanities, including fine arts and civics</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>STEM Requirements</b></td><td> 9 credits of STEM</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Other Requirements</b></td><td> 1 credit of physical education and wellness, 1 credit of health education, 1 credit of a world language, and 1 credit of diploma mastery assessment</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatHumanitiesCreditsAreRequiredToGraduateFromHighSchoolWithADiplomaInConnecticut">What Humanities Credits Are Required to Graduate from High School with a Diploma in Connecticut?</h3><p>Students will need 9 credits of humanities in order to graduate from high school. While the exact credit requirements are not spelled out in the law as it currently stands, it is required that all students take courses in civics and fine arts as part of their 9 credits. Local districts can define these 9 credits further, if so desired; 4 credits of English and 3 or 3.5 credits of social studies are commonly seen, with the remaining credits as humanities electives. Local districts may also exceed the 9 credit minimum. A demonstration of competency and mastery can also be used to meet credit requirements, although the exact details of how that is accomplished vary.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSTEMCreditsAreRequiredToGraduateFromHighSchoolWithADiplomaInConnecticut">What STEM Credits Are Required to Graduate from High School with a Diploma in Connecticut?</h3><p>Students in Connecticut will need 9 credits of STEM courses in order to graduate under the updated requirements. The exact breakdown of these 9 credits is not written into the state law, so students can focus in areas that interest them and develop individualized courses of study. Local school districts are allowed to define these further, however, and it is not uncommon to see a requirement of 4 math credits and 3 science credits, with biology as one of them. Any credits that remain after local requirements will be STEM electives. Computer science courses may also be required and fall under this category. Local districts can require more than the 9 credit minimum, and it is also possible for students to obtain credits through a demonstration of competency and mastery rather than by taking courses.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatOtherCreditsAreRequiredToGraduateFromHighSchoolWithADiplomaInConnecticut">What Other Credits Are Required to Graduate from High School with a Diploma in Connecticut?</h3><p>There are 4 additional credit requirements in Connecticut in order to graduate. 1 credit of health education is required, as is 1 credit of physical fitness and wellness. 1 credit of a world language is required, although 2 credits are encouraged for students planning to attend university. A 1 credit course in diploma mastery assessment is also required, although what exactly that entails is to be defined by local school districts. It is likely to consist of a series of checks for particular skills, including problem-solving, communication, self-direction, and critical thinking. This leaves 3 credits, which are electives to be used by students in any way they please. It is also possible to exceed 25 credits, earning anywhere from 26 to 28, and any credits beyond 25 will also serve as general electives.</p>
