SPAN: High School Diploma
Getting a High School Diploma
Since 1987, Indiana high school students have been empowered by the state legislature to earn concurrent high school and college credits by taking approved college courses. Today, state law has further established the Postsecondary Enrollment Program (IC 21-43-4 http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title21/ar43/ch4.html). Under this program, high school students statewide in grades 11 and 12 can receive college credit AND credit toward high school graduation by successfully completing college classes at eligible Indiana colleges or universities. Each school corporation will determine which course(s) will meet a student's requirement for high school graduation. Students who are interested in earning high school credit for courses taken through IUPUI SPAN Division’s early college program should talk with their school’s guidance counselor.
Indiana high school students who want to be considered for regular admission (following graduation from high school) to Indiana's four-year colleges and be eligible for additional state financial aid must successfully complete the Indiana Core 40 diploma. The Core 40 diploma requirements are listed at http://www.doe.state.in.us/core40.
The Core 40 diploma is highly recommended for all students. It requires a college preparatory curriculum, while also preparing the student to enter the workforce. For students who began high school in fall 2006 or later, the Core 40
diploma requires 40 credits of the following:
- English/Language Arts—eight credits, including composition, literature, and speech
- Mathematics—six credits, including algebra I, geometry, and algebra II, or integrated math I, II, and III
- Science—six credits, including two credits of biology I and two credits of chemistry I or physics I
- Social Studies—six credits, including two credits of U.S. history, one credit of U.S. government, one credit of economics, and two credits of either world history/civilization or geography/history of the world
- World Languages, Fine Arts, or Career/Technical—five credits
- Physical Education—two credits
- Health and Wellness—one credit
- Electives—six credits
If taken in high school, one high school credit takes one semester to complete (except for physical education, where half a credit is earned each semester). However, a one-semester college course taken through the SPAN Division's early college program often counts as two high school credits. Once again, each school corporation will determine which course(s) will meet a student's requirement for high school graduation.
Please note that SPAN applicants who are currently pursuing the Core 40 and the academic honors diploma are given special consideration.
