High School Diploma Requirements in Utah

<p>In Utah, it is necessary for students to complete 24 credits in order to graduate from high school with a diploma. These 24 credits are made up of 4 English credits, 3 math credits, 3 science credits, 3 social studies credits, 3.5 credits of directed coursework, 2 credits of physical education, and 5.5 credits of electives. Local education agencies can create additional requirements at their own discretion and even modify requirements for particular students, if needed. While standardized end-of-course tests and exams may be part of classes required for graduation, no standardized tests are listed as separate requirements. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Utah High School Graduation Requirements</b></td><td> 24 credits total</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Math and Science Requirements</b></td><td> 3 math credits, 3 science credits with 2 from foundational areas</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Social Studies Requirements</b></td><td> 3 social studies credits, with 0.5 credit in a course decided locally</td></tr> <tr><td><b>English and Directed Coursework Requirements</b></td><td> 4 English credits, 1.5 fine arts credits, 1 career credit, 0.5 credit for digital studies, 0.5 credit for financial literacy</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Physical Education and Elective Requirements</b></td><td> 2 PE credits, although team sport participation may count as 1 credit; max 5.5 elective credits, depending on local graduation requirements</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatMathAndScienceRequirementsAreNeededToGraduateInUtah">What Math and Science Requirements Are Needed to Graduate in Utah?</h3> <p>Three math credits are required for graduation, with most students simply taking courses titled Secondary Mathematics I, II, and III. It is possible to opt out of Secondary Mathematics III in favor of advanced or applied math courses, such as accounting for career-focused students. Passing calculus with a C or higher automatically meets all math credit criteria. </p> <p>For science requirements, students must choose 2 of the 5 foundational areas to receive credits in, which consist of Earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science. The third science credit can be from any of the five areas and may also be in applied or advanced courses, such as zoology or botany. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatSocialStudiesRequirementsAreNeededToGraduateInUtah">What Social Studies Requirements Are Needed to Graduate in Utah?</h3> <p>To fulfill the requirements for social studies, students will need 3 credits earned from a predetermined series of courses. Students must complete US history for 1 credit, and geography, US government, and civilization for .05 credit each. The remaining .05 credit requirement is up to a local education agency's discretion, but may include topics such as psychology, anthropology, criminal justice, and economics. These courses may also be available as electives after social studies requirements are met. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatEnglishAndDirectedCourseworkRequirementsAreNeededToGraduateInUtah">What English and Directed Coursework Requirements Are Needed to Graduate in Utah?</h3> <p>Utah requires 4 English and language arts credits, which are generally just referred to by grade number, such as grade 9 English, and may have honors versions. For the fourth credit in a student's senior year, the option to take advanced or applied courses, much like for science and math, becomes available. These applied and advanced courses include such topics as creative writing, humanities, and journalism. </p> <p>Directed coursework requirements consist of 1.5 credits of fine arts, 1 credit of career and technical education, and 0.5 credit each in digital studies and financial literacy. Visual arts, music, dance, and theater are all options for the fine arts credits, while career and technical courses include such fields as agriculture, business, and information technology. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatPhysicalEducationAndElectiveRequirementsAreNeededToGraduateInUtah">What Physical Education and Elective Requirements Are Needed to Graduate in Utah?</h3> <p>At least 2 credits are required in physical education, with .05 credit each available from health, participation skills, fitness for life, and individualized lifetime activities. Students participating in team sports or athletics may be eligible for up to 1 credit towards this requirement, although which sports qualify may vary. </p> <p>The remaining 5.5 credits needed to graduate can be fulfilled through whatever classes a student chooses for themselves, which can include anything beyond the minimum requirements in any subject area. If local education agencies create additional graduation requirements, such as foreign language studies, students may have less than 5.5 elective credits available, so be sure to consult local graduation requirements before planning a course schedule.</p>