Nevada High School Diploma Requirements & Types

<p>The state of Nevada requires that all students earn at least 22.5 credits in order to graduate with a standard diploma. These credits include courses in English, math, social studies, science, health and physical education, use of computers, electives, and one of arts, humanities, career-technical education (CTE), or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Also available in Nevada is the career and college readiness (CCR) diploma, taking the place of what was once the advanced diploma, which requires 24 credits in the same topics along with other metrics such as GPA requirements and Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. An adult standard diploma also exists for those who did not earn a diploma while in high school originally; it is distinct from high school equivalency certificates. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Nevada Graduation Requirements</b></td><td> 22.5 credits required for standard diploma; 24 credits required for CCR diploma</td></tr> <tr><td><b>English and Social Studies Requirements</b></td><td> 4 credits of English; 2 credits of social studies, 3 for CCR</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Math and Science Requirements</b></td><td> 3 credits of math, 4 for CCR; 2 credits of science, 3 for CCR</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Other Requirements</b></td><td> 2.5 credits of health and physical education, .5 credit of computer use, 1 credit of arts or CTE or JROTC, 7.5 credits of electives (6 for CCR)</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Diploma Differences</b></td><td> Must take required tests for both; CCR has language requirement, additional credit requirements, and 2 endorsement options</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatCreditsAreRequiredInEnglishAndSocialStudiesToGraduateWithADiplomaInTheStateOfNevada">What Credits Are Required in English and Social Studies to Graduate with a Diploma in the State of Nevada?</h3> <p>For the standard diploma in Nevada, a student is required to earn 4 credits of English. These courses are generally designated by grade (English 9, English 10, etc.), although AP and IB courses may also count for credit. An end-of-course (EOC) exam in grade 10 is required. 2 credits of social studies are required for the standard diploma, with 1 credit of American history and 1 credit of American government. For the CCR diploma, an additional social studies elective credit is required, for a total of 3 credits. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCreditsAreRequiredInMathAndScienceToGraduateWithADiplomaInTheStateOfNevada">What Credits Are Required in Math and Science to Graduate with a Diploma in the State of Nevada?</h3> <p>The standard diploma in Nevada requires students to earn 3 math credits, which will typically include algebra I and geometry or their equivalents, math I and II, each of which has an EOC at the end. The third credit is determined by the student's plans, and the CCR diploma requires algebra II. The CCR diploma also requires an additional credit of math for a total of 4 credits, although this fourth credit is up to student choice. The standard diploma requires 2 science credits, one of which is typically biology, as a state assessment in life sciences is also needed to graduate. Another science credit is required for the CCR diploma, for a total of 3 credits. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCreditsAreRequiredInOtherSubjectsToGraduateWithADiplomaInTheStateOfNevada">What Credits Are Required in Other Subjects to Graduate with a Diploma in the State of Nevada?</h3> <p>Nevada also requires that students complete 2 credits of physical education and half a credit of health education. A half credit course on the use of computers is also required, although this requirement can be fulfilled by any computer classes taken during middle school as well, which are commonly offered. 1 credit is required in the areas of arts and humanities, CTE training, or upper-level JROTC; while students are free to choose, those aiming for college readiness are encouraged to take arts courses, and those aiming for career readiness are encouraged to take CTE courses. Students also have to obtain 7.5 credits of electives by default on the standard diploma, but could have as many as 8 if the computer requirement is waived, or as few as 6 if they are pursuing the CCR diploma. The CCR diploma additionally has a foreign language requirement; this is often obtained by taking 2 credits of the same foreign language, but can also be fulfilled by demonstrating proficiency. </p> <h3 id="section---HowDoRequirementsDifferBetweenTheTypesOfDiplomasAvailableInNevada">How Do Requirements Differ Between the Types of Diplomas Available in Nevada?</h3> <p>The standard diploma requires that a student obtain 22.5 credits, with 15 core credits and 7.5 elective credits as described above, along with passage of EOC and state assessments and participation in the ACT exam. The college and career readiness diploma requires that students maintain a 3.25 GPA, complete 24 credits (18 core credits and 6 electives), pass all EOC and state assessments, and take the ACT exam. Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language or take 2 credits' worth of AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses in core subject areas, or complete 2 credits of CTE courses, work-based learning experiences, or world languages. Finally, there is a choice between the college readiness endorsement or career readiness endorsement; college readiness requires students to obtain a score that demonstrates college-level literacy in English and math, while the career readiness endorsement requires that students earn an industry-recognized credential, complete the ACT's career readiness certificate, take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), or obtain a CTE skills attainment certificate. Completion of either pathway will reward the student with a CCR diploma, and it is possible to earn both endorsements.</p>