Graduation Requirements and Diplomas

For more detailed information please see Graduation Requirements on the FCPS Schools Website.

Standard Diploma Course Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-51)

_{¹ Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses as approved by the Board. AP Computer Science A or IB Computer Science course credit earned by students may be considered a mathematics course credit. The Board of Education (Board) shall approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
² Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least two different science disciplines:  earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics; or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and shall include interdisciplinary courses which incorporate SOL content from multiple academic areas. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. AP Computer Science A and IB Computer Science SL/HL may be used to meet a science graduation credit for standard or advanced diplomas; however, it cannot be counted towards the science discipline requirement.
³ Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and one course in either world history or geography or both.  AP Human Geography satisfies the requirement for geography.
⁴   Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives as required by the Standards of  Quality.
⁵ Students who complete a career and technical education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association, or acquires a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for a laboratory science verified credit.  The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the Board as an additional test to verify student achievement.
⁶ Pursuant to Section 22.1-253.13:4, Code of Virginia, credits earned for this requirement shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or career and technical education.
⁷ Students shall either complete an Advanced Placement, advanced, Dual Enrollment,  honors, or International Baccalaureate course; or complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or earn a career and technical education credential approved by the Board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the standard diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment. 
⁸ Students are required to be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators, including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Students with an IEP or 504 Plan that documents that they cannot successfully complete this training shall be granted a waiver from this graduation requirement.
⁹ Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncredit-bearing course or elective credit bearing course that is offered online.
¹⁰ Students shall acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate approved by the Board.}

Advanced Studies Diploma Course Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-50)

_{¹ Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least three different course selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. AP Computer Science A or IB Computer Science course credit earned by students may be considered a mathematics course credit. The Board of Education (Board) shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.
² Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics; or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses which incorporate SOL content from multiple academic areas. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. AP/IB Computer Science A and IB Computer Science SL/HL can be used to meet a science graduation credit for standard or advanced diplomas; however, it cannot be counted towards the science discipline requirement.
³ Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and two courses in either world history or geography or both. AP Human Geography satisfies the requirement for geography.
⁴ Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages. A student who is pursuing an advanced diploma and whose IEP specifies a credit accommodation for world language may substitute two standard units of credit in computer science for two standard units of credit in a world language.
⁵ Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives as required by the Standards of  Quality.
⁶ Students shall either complete an Advanced Placement, advanced, Dual Enrollment,  honors, or International Baccalaureate course; or complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or earn a career and technical education credential approved by the Board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the advanced studies diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment. 
⁷ Students are required to be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators, including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Students with an IEP or 504 Plan that documents that they cannot successfully complete this training shall be granted a waiver from this graduation requirement.
⁸ Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncredit-bearing course, or may be a required or elective credit-bearing course that is offered online.
⁹ Students shall acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate approved by the Board.}