Graduation Requirements

picture of graduation feathers

The requirements indicated in this chart are the minimumrequirements for a student to attain an Alberta High School Diploma. The requirements for entry into post-secondary institutions and workplaces may require additional and/or specific courses.

100 Credits

including the following:

  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS - 30 LEVEL (English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2)
  • SOCIAL STUDIES - 30 LEVEL (Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2)
  • MATHEMATICS - 20 LEVEL (Pure Mathematics 20, Applied Math 20 or Math 24)
  • SCIENCE - 20 LEVEL (Science 20, Science 24, Biology 20, Chemistry 20 or Physics 20)
  • PHYSICAL EDUCATION 10 (3 Credits)
  • CAREER AND LIFE MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

10 Credits In any combination from:

  • Career and Technology Studies (CTS)
  • Fine Arts
  • Second Languages
  • Physical Education 20 and/or 30
  • Locally developed/acquired and locally authorized courses in CTS, fine arts, second languages,
  • Knowledge and Employability or IOP occupational courses
  • Knowledge and Employability courses
  • Registered Apprenticeship Program courses

10 Credits in any 30-Level Course

In addition to a 30-level english language arts and social studies course as specified above

These courses may include:

  • 35-level locally developed/acquired and locally authorized courses
  • Advanced level (3000 series) in Career and Technology Studies courses
  • 35-level Work Experience courses********
  • 30-4 level Knowledge and Employability courses
  • 35-level Registered Apprenticeship Program courses
  • 30-level Green Certificate Specialization courses
  • The science requirement-Science 20 or 24, Biology 20, Chemistry 20 or Physics 20-may also be met with the 10-credit combination of Science 14 and Science 10.
  • Science 20 is not available in Francophone schools.
  • See information on exemption from the physical education requirement (p.54)
  • See information on exemption from the CALM requirement (p.43)
  • Students may earn any number of credits in the study of second languages, but only a maximum of 25 language credits may be used to meet the 100-credit requirement for the Alberta High School Diploma.
  • Students entering Grade 10 in the 1998-1999 school year and subsequent school years will be able to use Physical Education 20 and/or 30 to meet this 10-credit requirement.
  • 30-level English or 30-level social studies courses from a different course sequence may not be used to meet the 30-level course requirement.
  • Students may earn any number of credits in Work Experience, but only 15 credits may be used to meet the 100-credit requirement for the Alberta High School Diploma.

Further Notes

  • For 30-level courses that have a diploma examination, the final course mark consists of a blend of the school-awarded mark and the diploma examination mark.
  • For more information, students in Francophone programs should consult the Alberta High School Diploma Requirements for French First Language-Francophone.
  • Mature students should consult the Mature Students section for applicable requirements.