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Alabama FOCUS
High School Graduation
Requirements in Alabama
Beginning with the Class of 2000, students must meet new,
more stringent requirements to earn a regular Alabama high
school diploma or a diploma with a regular advanced academic
endorsement—in addition to successfully completing
the high school graduation examination.
The following courses are needed to graduate from high
school in Alabama*
| English
Language Arts1 |
English 9 (1)
English 10 (1)
English 11 (1)
English 12 (1) |
| Mathematics2
(4 credits) |
Algebra I (1)
Geometry (1)
math elective (1)
math elective (1) |
| Science3
(4 credits) |
Biology (1)
a physical science (1)
science elective (1)
science elective (1) |
| Social Studies1
(4 credits) |
Grade 9 (1)
U.S. History (1)
World History (1)
Economics (½)
Government (½) |
| Additional
Courses |
Physical Education (1)
Health Education (½)
Fine Arts (½)
Computer Applications4 (½)
Additional electives5 (5½) |
*Credits to include the equivalent of
courses listed.
1For the diploma with
advanced academic endorsement, advanced levels of the above
courses must be included.
2For the diploma
with advanced academic endorsement, advanced levels of algebra
with trigonometry must be included.
3For the diploma
with advanced academic endorsement, advanced levels of the
above courses plus an additional life and/or physical science
must be included.
4May be waived
if computer literacy, keyboarding skills and introductory
applications are verified by qualified staff at the high
school. The designated one-half credit would be added to
the electives, making a total of six electives.
5For the diploma
with advanced academic endorsement, the student must successfully
complete two credits in the same foreign language.
Local boards must offer foreign languages, fine arts, physical
education, wellness education, vocational and technical
preparation, and driver education as electives.
Vocational/technical programs with a strong emphasis on
academic content provide instruction that includes high
levels of math and science. Students can earn embedded credit
via required basic core academic courses in conjunction
with a designated, sequential vocational program. Only one
embedded credit may be earned in any area of the core curriculum.
A student may earn a maximum of two such credits.
Contact specific
institutions for course requirements and admission criteria.
