Graduation Requirements

The Tennessee Department of Education has raised standards and aligned graduation requirements to best prepare students for college and the workforce. Following the implementation of the Tennessee Diploma Project in 2009, high school students must earn 22 credits to graduate. Additionally, high school students will be tested in core subject areas with End of Course exams, part of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). Their performance on these exams will factor into their semester grade for the course.

To receive a traditional high school diploma, there are several requirements a student must meet in addition to the 22 credits:

• All students enrolled in a Tennessee public school during their eleventh (11th) grade year must take either the ACT or SAT.
• As outlined in T.C.A. § 49-6-408, students must take and pass a civics test to meet the social studies course credit requirements before graduation.
• In accordance with T.C.A. § 49-1-232, starting with the entering freshman class of 2024-25, high school students must take one Computer Science credit, or an approved substitution.

Tennessee offers the opportunity for students to graduate early through the Move on When Ready program, by earning the required 22 credits before twelfth (12th) or through an early graduation program approved at the local level. There are multiple avenues for diploma types that allow students the opportunity to align their aptitude, learning styles, and future goals with their high school experiences. Finally, there are multiple programs in place to provide graduation distinctions for students, based on the students’ chosen courses and experiences. Tennessee is committed to helping all students succeed in their chosen pathways and prepares them for a seamless transition to postsecondary educational opportunities, high-skill, high-wage, high-demand occupations, or the military.

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