NJ Graduation Requirements

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NJ State Minimum* Graduation Requirements by Content Area and Grade 9 Class

	Course and credit requirements for all students entering grade 9 in:
	2008-2009	2009-2010	2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013	2013-2014
LANGUAGE ARTS LITERACY	20 credits	20 credits aligned to grade nine through 12 standards
MATHEMATICS	15 credits including algebra I or the content equivalent**		15 credits including algebra I and geometry or the content equivalent**		15 credits including algebra I and geometry or the content equivalent* and a 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 including at least five credits in laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent**		15 credits including at least five credits in laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent** and one additional laboratory/ inquiry-based science course which shall include chemistry, environmental science, or physics		15 credits including at least five credits in laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent**; an additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course including chemistry, environmental science, or physics; and a third laboratory/inquiry-based science course
SOCIAL STUDIES	15 credits including satisfaction of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 2	15 credits including satisfaction of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 2; five credits in world history; and the integration of civics, economics, geography and global content in all course offerings
FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC, BUSINESS, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL LITERACY	No state requirement		2.5 credits
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION	3 ¾ credits in health, safety, and physical education during each year of enrollment, distributed as 150 minutes per week, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7 and 8
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS	5 credits
WORLD LANGUAGES	5 credits or student demonstration of proficiency
TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY	Consistent with the Core Curriculum Content Standards, integrated throughout the curriculum
21ST CENTURY LIFE AND CAREERS, OR CAREER-TECHNICAL EDUCATION	5 credits
TOTAL CREDITS (State Minimum)	110	120***

* School districts may establish course and/or credit requirements which exceed the State minimums.

** “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 Core Curriculum Content Standards. This content must be taught by certified teachers, may be integrated in one or more courses, may be titled differently, or may present material in an interdisciplinary or spiral format.

*** The 120 credit total is greater than the sum of the individual requirements above, to allow for student electives.