Diploma Requirements (2026-2028)

Core 40

• Minimum 40 credits (See the credits by subject below)

Academic Honors

• Minimum 47 credits
• Complete all requirements for Core 40.
• Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits.
• Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits (6 credits in one language or 4 credits each in two languages).
• Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits.
• Earn a grade of a “C” or better in courses that will count toward the diploma.
• Have a grade point average of a “B” or better.
• Complete one of the following:
  1. Earn 4 credits in 2 or more AP courses and take corresponding AP exams
  2. Earn 6 verifiable transcripted college credits in dual credit courses from the approved dual credit list.
  3. Earn two of the following: 1. A minimum of 3 verifiable transcripted college credits from the approved dual credit list, 2. 2 credits in AP courses and corresponding AP exams, 3. 2 credits in IB standard level courses and corresponding IB exams.
  4. Earn a composite score of 1250 or higher on the SAT and a minimum of 560 on math and 590 on the evidence based reading and writing section.**
  5. Earn an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and complete written section

Technical Honors

• Minimum 47 credits 
• Complete all requirements for Core 40.
• Earn 6 credits in the college and career preparation courses in a state-approved College & Career Pathway and one of the following:
  1. Pathway designated industry-based certification or credential, or
  2. Pathway dual credits from the approved dual credit list resulting in 6 transcripted college credits 
• Earn a grade of “C” or better in courses that will count toward the diploma.
• Have a grade point average of a “B” or better. 
• Complete one of the following,
  1. Any one of the options (A - F) of the Core 40 with Academic Honors
  2. Earn the following minimum scores on WorkKeys: Workplace Documents, Level 6; Applied Math, Level 6; and Graphic Literacy, Level 5.***
  3. Earn the following minimum score(s) on Accuplacer: Writing 80, Reading 90, Math 75.
  4. Earn the following minimum score(s) on Compass: Algebra 66 , Writing 70, Reading 80.

General

• If the requirements of Core 40 are not feasible for a student’s academic abilities, there is a formal opt-out process where students can opt into a general diploma.

CORE 40 OPT-OUT PROCESS FOR INDIANA’S GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 

• The completion of Core 40 is an Indiana graduation requirement. Indiana’s Core 40 curriculum provides the academic foundation all students need to succeed in college and the workforce.
• A Core 40 Opt Out form is required to be completed any time a student transitions from a Core 40 diploma to a General High School diploma.  If the decision is made to opt out of Core 40, the student is required to complete the course and credit requirements for a general diploma.   Box 2 and 3 requirements remain the same for a student pursuing a general diploma. 

The following conditions may trigger a discussion about opting out of Core 40:

1. A parent may request that a student be exempted from the Core 40 curriculum and be required to complete the general diploma to graduate
2. The student does not pass at least three (3) courses required under the Core 40 curriculum,
3. The student receives a score on the graduation examination that is in the twenty-fifth percentile or lower when the student takes the graduation examination for the first time.  For students in the Classes of 2026-2028, the graduation qualifying exam is the SAT.

To complete this requirement, students must participate in ONE activity listed below. Activities are divided into project-based learning, service-based learning or work-based learning.

• Honors Diploma: Academic or Technical
• SAT: Reading/Writing = 480 & Math = 530 
• ACT: English = 18, Reading = 22, Math = 22, Science = 23 (Two out of Four Needed with at least 1 in English/Reading & 1 in Math/Science) 
• ASVAB: Minimum score of 31 
• Industry Recognized Certification: Must Be on DWD's Graduation Pathways Approved List
• Apprenticeship: Must Be Federally Recognized 
• CTE Concentrator: C average or higher in Required NLPS Concentrator Courses in a state-approved CTE Pathway (Principles, Concentrator A, & Concentrator B) 
• AP/Dual Credit: C average or higher in 3 courses (1 of the 3 courses must be in a core content area or all 3 must be a part of a CTE pathway) 
• Locally Created Pathway: Approved by SBOE

To learn more visit: www.in.gov/doe/students/ graduation-pathways
Questions: DOEGradpathways@doe.in.gov