Graduation Requirements Class of 2025 and Beyond

Effective with the Graduating Class of 2025 and beyond (entering freshman of Fall 2021), graduation requirements to earn a Maryland High School diploma are as follows. Reference the table of contents to see
the Required Subject Area Descriptions pages for further information.

SUBJECT AREA	SPECIFIC CREDIT REQUIREMENTS	ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
English	4 credits	The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) includes an annual year-end test in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics in Grades 3-8 and high school. This is a test requirement of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. These tests are given in the spring of each year, usually in April and May. The first administration occured in Spring 2022. According to MSDE’s Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance Reporting, students are required to participate in, but not required to pass, the assessments for Algebra 1, English 10, Life Science, and Government. As part of the Maryland Blueprint, the assessments for Algebra 1 and English 10 shall be used to determine College and Career Readiness. 13A.03.02.06 identifies Life Science and Government as having an End of Course (EOC) Exam requirement: In 2022, the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBOE) approved a waiver for the EOC Exam requirement for all courses in the 2022-2023 school year. The waiver states that the EOC Exams are to be counted as 20 percent of the final course grade (COMAR 13A.03.02.06.H). The MSBOE has determined that EOC exams will be implemented starting in the 2023-2024 school year. The MSDE is working to support the EOC Exams for Life Science and Government. COMAR 13A .03 .02 Graduation Requirements for Public High Schools and EOC Exam implementation are pending revisions. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all first-time 9th grade students will have the EOC Exam incorporated into their final course grades as required by 13A .03 .02 Graduation Requirements for High Schools in Maryland. Refer to the Assessment Requirements page and online to the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program website for updates regarding End of Course Exams. *Also see Assessment Requirements page (AP 6150).*
Mathematics	4 credits √ 1 in Geometry √ 1 in Algebra 1 √ 2 additional mathematics credits √ Enrollment in a math course each year in high school Effective School Year 2024-2025, entering freshmen will begin with Geometry.
Science	3 lab science credits (one from each category) √ 1 in Life Science √ 1 in Physical Science √ 1 in Earth and Space Science
Social Studies	3 credits √ 1 in U.S. History II √ 1 in Local, State, and National Government √ 1 in World History
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Fine Arts	1 credit
Physical Education	0.5 credit √ Personal Fitness
Health Education	0.5 credit √ Health 1 0.5 credit √ Health 2
Financial Literacy	0.5 credit
Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology Education	1 credit
Completer and Electives Completer refers to a specified sequence of courses required for completing graduation requirements	2 credits of the same World Language or American Sign Language and any remaining credits in electives OR Complete (3–9 credits) of a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-approved sequence of courses and any remaining credits in electives
Prerequisites: Enrollment in a course may be allowed only if a previous course has been completed. See the High School Courses and Programs of Study publication which describes the content of each course offered in Prince George’s County Public Schools and course prerequisites. Credits: Twenty-two (22) credits are required per COMAR 13A.03.02.01C. Students must be enrolled and have taken a minimum of four full credit courses or a combination of full and partial credit courses to total a minimum of four credits over the course of the academic year. The minimum of four credits worth of courses must include at least one high school course; remaining courses may include Dual Enrollment. Seniors who have completed four years of high school are exempt from the minimum enrollment requirement. All MSDE graduation requirements must be satisfied. Student Service-Learning: The student shall complete a locally developed, state-approved program that includes service-learning infusion in designated courses, preparation, reflection, and a specified number of hours of independent service.

Graduation Requirements - Graduating Class of 2021 through 2024

Effective with the Graduating Class of 2021 through 2024 (entering freshman of Fall 2017 through Fall 2020), graduation requirements to earn a Maryland High School diploma are as follows. Note updates effective with the class of 2019 and 2024 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015 and 2020). See the Required Subject Area Descriptions pages for further descriptions of requirements.

SUBJECT AREA	SPECIFIC CREDIT REQUIREMENTS	ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
English	4 credits	Pursuant to COMAR 13A.03.02.09, students must: Achieve a passing score on the Maryland High School Assessment (MHSA) and Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for Algebra I and English 10, in the following way: (i) For school years 2016—2023, a score of 725 and (ii) Assessment in English 10 and/or Algebra I, the passing score on the retest shall be the passing score in the year in which the student first took the assessment. Achieve a passing score as established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) on the Maryland High School Assessment for Government. Students are required to take the Maryland High School Life Science Assessment. Achieve a combined score(s) as established by MSDE on the assessments; If a student has not achieved a passing score on the assessment in English 10 and/or Algebra I, achieve a score as established by MSDE on MSDE approved assessments for Algebra, and/or English, aligned with the Maryland assessments such as Advanced Placement examinations, SAT, ACT, and International Baccalaureate examinations. According to MSDE’s Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance Reporting Updates in September 2022, students were waived from the accountability assessment requirement for the 2019-2020 school year due to the global pandemic. For school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023, students would be required to participate in, but not pass, the assessments Algebra 1, English 10, Life Science, and Government. Refer to the Assessment Requirements page and online to the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program website for updates regarding End of Course Exams. *Also see Assessment Requirements page (AP 6150).*
Mathematics	3 credits √ 1 in Algebra 1 √ 1 in Geometry √ 1 additional mathematics credits √ Enrollment in a math course each year in high school
Science	3 lab science credits (one from each category) √ 1 in Life Science √ 1 in Physical Science √ 1 in Earth and Space Science
Social Studies	3 credits √ 1 in U.S. History II √ 1 in Local, State, and National Government √ 1 in World History
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Fine Arts	1 credit
Physical Education	0.5 credit √ Personal Fitness
Health Education	0.5 credit √ Health Issues
Financial Literacy	0.5 credit; Effective with the graduating class of 2024, students in Prince George’s County Public Schools are required to complete one-half (0.5) credit in Financial Literacy in order to graduate.
Technology Education	1 credit
Completer and Electives Completer refers to a specified sequence of courses required for completing graduation requirements	2 credits of either World Language or American Sign Language and any remaining credits in electives. Effective with the class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015), PGCPS no longer requires two years of the same world language for students beginning a Level 1 course in high school. MSDE requires that American Sign Language be taken in sequential order to meet graduation requirements. OR 2 credits of Advanced Technology Education, available through school year 2023-2024, and any remaining credits in electives OR Complete (3–9 credits) of a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-approved sequence of courses and any remaining credits in electives
Prerequisites: Enrollment in a course may be allowed only if a previous course has been completed. See the High School Courses and Programs of Study publication which describes the content of each course offered in Prince George’s County Public Schools and course prerequisites. Credits: Twenty-one (21) credits are required per COMAR 13A.03.02.01C. Effective with the Class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015), students must be enrolled and have taken a minimum of four full credit courses or a combination of full and partial credit courses to total a minimum of four credits over the course of the academic year. The minimum of four credits worth of courses must include at least one high school course; remaining courses may include Dual Enrollment. Seniors who have completed four years of high school are exempt from the minimum enrollment requirement. All MSDE graduation requirements must be satisfied. Student Service-Learning: The student shall complete a locally developed, state-approved program that includes service-learning infusion in designated courses, preparation, reflection, and a specified number of hours of independent service. (Student Service-Learning Requirements)

Graduation Requirements Class of 2018 through 2020

Effective with the Graduating Classes of 2018 through 2020 (entering freshman of Fall 2014 through Fall 2016), graduation requirements to earn a Maryland High School diploma are as follows. Note updates effective with the class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015). See the Required Subject Area Descriptions pages for further descriptions.

SUBJECT AREA	SPECIFIC CREDIT REQUIREMENTS	ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
English	4 credits	Students must satisfy one of the following: Meet the requirements as established by MSDE on the Maryland assessments for Algebra 1, Biology, English 10, and Government. Achieve a combined score(s) as established by MSDE on the Maryland assessments; Achieve a score as established by MSDE approved substitute assessments for Algebra, Biology, English, and Government, aligned with the Maryland assessments such as Advanced Placement examinations, SAT I, SAT II, ACT, and International Baccalaureate examinations. According to MSDE’s Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance Reporting Updates in September 2022, students were waived from the accountability assessment requirement for the 2019-2020 school year due to the global pandemic. For school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023, students would be required to participate in, but not pass, the assessments Algebra 1, English 10, Life Science, and Government. Refer to the Assessment Requirements page and online to the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program website for updates regarding End of Course Exams. *Also see Assessment Requirements page (AP 6150).*
Mathematics	3 credits √ 1 in Algebra 1 √ 1 in Geometry √ 1 additional mathematics credit √ Enrollment in a math course each year in high school
Science	3 credits √ 1 in Biology √ 2 additional credits that must include laboratory experience in any or all of the following areas: earth science or physical science
Social Studies	3 credits √ 1 in U.S. History II √ 1 in Local, State, and National Government √ 1 in World History
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Fine Arts	1 credit
Physical Education	0.5 credit √ Personal Fitness
Health Education	0.5 credit √ Health Issues
Technology Education	1 credit
Completer and Electives Completer refers to a specified sequence of courses required for completing graduation requirements	2 credits of either World Language or American Sign Language (both credits must be in the same language per local requirements) and any remaining credits in electives Effective with the class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015), PGCPS no longer requires two years of the same world language for students beginning a Level 1 course in high school. MSDE requires that American Sign Language be taken in sequential order to meet graduation requirements. OR 2 credit s of Advanced Technology Education and any remaining credits in electives OR Complete (4–9 credits) a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-approved sequence of courses and any remaining credits in electives
Prerequisites: Enrollment in a course may be allowed only if a previous course has been completed. See the High School Courses and Programs of Study publication which describes the content of each course offered in Prince George’s County Public Schools and course prerequisites. Credits: Twenty-one (21) credits are required. Per COMAR 13A.03.02.01C, Effective with the Class of 2019 (entering freshmen of Fall 2015), students must be enrolled and have taken a minimum of four full credit courses or a combination of full and partial credit courses to total a minimum of four credits over the course of the academic year. The minimum of four credits worth of courses must include at least one high school course; remaining courses may include Dual Enrollment. All MSDE graduation requirements must be satisfied. Seniors who have completed four years of high school are exempt from the minimum enrollment requirement. All MSDE graduation requirements must be satisfied. Enrollment: The student shall satisfactorily complete four years of approved study beyond the 8th grade unless on an approved option. Student Service-Learning: The The student shall complete a locally-developed, state-approved program that includes service-learning infusion in designated courses, preparation, reflection, and a specified number of hours of independent service.. (Student Service-Learning Requirements)