9/27/12

Texas State High School Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements
  • English units:
  • Minimum program: 4
  • Recommended program: 4
  • Math units: Recommended program: 4, incl. Algebra I and II and geometry. Fourth credit must selected from specified math courses higher than Algebra II.
  • Minimum program3, incl. Algebra I and geometry
  • Social studies units: Recommended program: 4
  • Minimum program: 3. Same as recommended but students choose between 1 unit World History Studies or World Geography Studies
  • Recommended: Must include 1 unit World History Studies, 1 unit World Geography Studies, 1 unit U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction, and .5 unit each of economics and U.S. Government.


  • Science units:
    • Recommended program: 4, incl. biology. Two add'l credits must be chosen from
      • (i) integrated physics and chemistry;
      • (ii) chemistry; and
      • (iii) physics or Principles of Technology I. Fourth unit to be chosen from state-approved lab science courses.
    • Recommended program, eff. Class of 2016: 4 units, with 3 selected from one of each category:
      • (i) biology;
      • (ii) chemistry;
      • (iii) physics or Principles of Technology I. Fourth unit to be chosen from state-approved lab science courses.
    • Notes/Citation: Recommended: Biology credit must be taken in biology, Advanced Placement Biology or International Baccalaureate Biology. The other two units must be chosen from (a) Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); (b) Chemistry, AP Chemistry or IB Chemistry; and (c) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics or IB Physics.
  • P.E./Health units: Recommended and Minimum programs: 2. Must include 1.5 units p.e. and .5 unit health education.
  • Arts:
    • Minimum program: 0
    • Recommended program: 1
  • Foreign language:
    • Minimum program: 0
    • Recommended program: 2Notes/Citation: 2 units in 1 foreign language
  • Electives units:
    • Minimum program: 6.5
    • Recommended program: 3.5. "All students who wish to complete the Recommended High School Program are encouraged to study each of the four foundation curriculum areas (English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) every year in high school." Minimum: Must include 5.5 general electives and 1 unit "academic elective" chosen from World History Studies, World Geography Studies or any state board-approved science course.
  • Other units: Recommended and Minimum program: 1.5. Must include .5 unit speech credit ("Communication Applications") and 1 unit technology applications.
  • TOTAL # units:
    • Minimum program: 22
    • Recommended program: 26

  • Important Note: State Graduation requirements are not necessarily the best guideline for homeschoolers to use. They have been included here as a guideline for what a typical public school student would need to complete in order to graduate.

    A more important guideline may be the College Entrance requirements for where your student would like to attend college. While colleges have differing requirements, there are many colleges that publish requirements for homeschool graduates.