How Many Credits Do You Need to Graduate From High School?

The number of credits to graduate high school varies by state, and states also change the requirements periodically. As of 2014, Alabama students need to complete 24 credits to graduate from high school. By contrast, Arizona requires students to complete 23 credits to graduate.

California does not require a certain number of credits to graduate because each school district weighs courses differently. Students in California complete between 22 and 26 full-year courses. Certain districts give 10 units per full-year course and five units for a semester-long course, for a total of 220 to 260 credits required to graduate. Under the California education code, all students in any district must complete 13 required courses in mathematics, English, science, social studies, performing arts, physical education and foreign language.

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