New Jersey State Minimum
1
Graduation Requirements by
Content Area 120 credits (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1)
Content Area
Credits and additional requirements
English Language Arts
20 credits
Mathematics
15 credits including:
Algebra I or the content equivalent
2
Geometry or the content equivalent
2
Third year of math that builds on the concepts and skills of
algebra and geometry and prepares students for college
and 21st century careers
Science
15 credits with at least 5 credits in each:
Laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent
Laboratory/inquiry-based science course (i.e., chemistry,
environmental science, or physics)
Laboratory/inquiry-based science course
Social Studies
15 credits including:
5 credits in world history
Integration of civics, economics, geography and global
content in all course offerings
N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 18A:35-2
Financial, Economic
Business, and Entrepreneurial
Business Literacy
2.5 credits
Health, Safety, and
Physical Education
15 credits over four years including:
3 ¾ credits in health, safety, and physical education during
each year of enrollment, distributed as 150 minutes per
week each year
N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 18A:35-7 and 18A:35-8
Visual and Performing Arts
5 credits
World Languages
5 credits
Technology
Integrated throughout all courses
21
st
Century Life and Careers
5 credits
Note: The chart above was made accessible. The visual chart on the second page of this document has the
same information in the chart above, but is not accessible.
1
School districts may establish course and/or credit requirements which exceed the State minimums.
2
“Content equivalent” means courses or activities that include the same or equivalent knowledge and skills as
those found in traditionally titled courses which are required for high school graduation and which are aligned
with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
New Jersey State Minimum
1
Graduation Requirements by
Content Area 120 credits (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1)
Content Area
5 credits
10 credits
15 credits
20 credits
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Financial, Economic Business, and
Entrepreneurial Business Literacy
Health, Safety, and
Physical Education
3 ¾ credits in health, safety, and
physical education during each year of
enrollment (Four years = 15 credits)
Visual and Performing Arts
World Languages
Technology
Integrated throughout all courses
21
st
Century Life and Careers
1
School districts may establish course and/or credit requirements which exceed the State minimums.
