Diplomas

Which diploma is right for you?

In alignment with new Indiana Department of Education diploma requirements, IUHS is implementing two new accredited diploma options for diploma seeking students as of July 1, 2025. Students in the Diploma program previous to this date can continue pursuing their original diplomas - General Education, College Prep, or Academic Honors.

Students joining the IUHS Diploma Program after July 1, 2025 can choose either Diploma option below. (Each link takes you to a detailed overview in the Student Handbook.)

IU High School graduates have gone on to dozens of prestigious colleges and universities. However, please note that earning an IU High School diploma doesn't guarantee admission to Indiana University or any other college or university.

Diploma students may supplement their IU High School courses with additional courses from another high school. Our academic advisors will help you complete your requirements.

Available diploma tracks

Please review the requirements for each track below. If you have questions about the diploma options, please contact askiuhs@iu.edu.

The standard IUHS Diploma is recommended for students planning to attend college, enter the workforce, or follow their own path, but who do not intend to fulful the Honors requirements.

Note that some courses listed below build on one another and must be taken in sequence (e.g., sample math course sequence: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II OR Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, etc.; ELA course sequence: English 9, English 10, etc.).

IUHS Diploma Requirements

Language Arts
8 credits in literature, speech, and composition, including the required:

  • 2 credits: English 9
  • 1 credit: Communications-focused course (Speech or Interpersonal Relationships)
  • 5 additional English credits

Mathematics
7 credits:

  • 1 credit: Personal Finance
  • 2 credits: Algebra I
  • 4 additional Math credits

Science
7 credits:

  • 2 credits: Biology I
  • 1 credit: Computer Science
  • 2 additional science credits
  • 2 STEM-focused credits

Social Studies
5 required credits:

  • 2 credits: U.S. History 
  • 1 credit: U.S. Government
  • 2 credits: World Perspectives (Flexible options, including advanced/3rd-year world language or world-focused social studies courses)

Physical Education and Health Education
2 credits:

  • 1 credit: Health and Wellness
  • 1 credit: Physical Education

College and Careers
1 credit:

  • Preparing for College and Careers

Personalized Electives
12 credits:

  • Students are encouraged to utilize the new readiness seals to align these personalized electives with their unique goals. Personalized electives can include a variety of courses, such as CTE, Performing or Fine Arts, and World Languages.

    [Effective 07/01/2025]

Students planning to graduate with the Honors Diploma cannot have a final course grade lower than a C and must have a final cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0.
This is a rigorous, advanced course of study. It is recommended for students planning to job-search after graduating who want their resume to stand out, and for those planning to attend college and seeking to enhance their application chances.

Note that some courses listed below build on one another and must be taken in sequence (e.g., sample math course sequence: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II OR Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, etc.; ELA course sequence: English 9, English 10, etc.).

Honors Diploma Requirements #

Language Arts
8 credits in literature, speech, and composition, including the required:

  • 2 credits: English 9
  • 1 credit: Communications-focused course (Speech or Interpersonal Relationships)
  • 5 additional English credits

Mathematics
8 credits:

  • 2 credits: Algebra I
  • 2 credits: Algebra II
  • 2 credits: Geometry I
  • 2 credits: Precalculus

 

Science
6 credits:

  • 2 credits: Biology I
  • 2 credits: Physics I or Chemistry I
  • 2 credits: Physics I or Chemistry I , or any advanced lab science credits aligned to your course of study

 

Social Studies
6 credits:

  • 2 credits: U.S. History 
  • 1 credit: U.S. Government
  • 3 credits: World Perspectives (Flexible options, including advanced world language or world-focused social studies courses)

World Language
4 credits:

  • 4 credits in any combination of World Language courses

 

Physical Education and Health Education
2 credits:

  • 1 credit: Health and Wellness
  • 1 credit: Physical Education

 

College and Careers
1 credit:

  • Personal & Professional Development

 

Personalized Electives

The number of Personalized Electives needed will depend upon the total number of Optional Credits a student has earned (see below). The minimum number of final credits a student will have to earn is 42.

Students are encouraged to utilize the new readiness seals to align these personalized electives with their unique goals. Personalized electives can include a variety of courses, such as CTE, Performing or Fine Arts, and World Languages.

 

Optional Credits

  • Option 1: 4 credits AP courses
  • Option 2: 2 credits Dual-credit/College courses
  • Option 3: 3 credits (2 AP courses, 1 Dual credit/College course)
  • Option 4: SAT score of 1250 or higher or ACT score of 26 or higher (No credits required)

Additional Requirements

  • Earn a C or higher in all courses and earn a final cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B average) or higher.

 

[Effective 07/01/2025]

The college prep diploma is recommended for students planning to attend college.

Courses that build on one another must be taken in sequence (e.g., sample math course sequence: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II OR Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, etc.; ELA course sequence: English 9, English 10, etc.).

Diploma Requirements

Language Arts
8 credits in literature, speech, and composition, including the required:

  • English 9-1 and 9-2
  • English 10-1 and 10-2

Mathematics
at least 6 credits (8 credits are strongly recommended) from the following:

  • Algebra I
  • Geometry
  • Algebra II
  • Precalculus
  • AP Calculus

Science
6 credits in laboratory science, including two semesters each of:

  • Life Science (e.g., Biology I)
  • Physical Science (e.g., Intg Physics/Chem, Physics, Chemistry)

Social Studies
6 credits including:

  • U.S. History (may substitute AP U.S. History) (2 cr)
  • World History or Geography and History of the World (2 cr)
  • U.S. Economics (1 cr)
  • U.S. Government (1 cr)

Health Education
1 credit

  • Health & Wellness

World Languages
4 credits (all credits earned in the same language are recommended but not required)

  • Spanish
  • French
  • German

*other world language credits must be approved by your advisor

Career Development
1 credit:

  • Personal and Professional Development

Computer Science

1 credit:

  • Introduction to Computer Science

Free Electives
8 credits from any academic category as listed in the IDOE Course Catalogue for the current academic year.

 

[Effective 01/17/2022]

The general education diploma is recommended for students who do not plan to go to college. 

Degree Requirements

Language Arts
8 credits in literature, speech, and composition, including the required:

  • English 9
  • English 10

Mathematics
4 credits:

Recommended:

  • Pre-Algebra (Basic Mathematics)
  • Algebra I

OR

  • Algebra I
  • Geometry OR Algebra II

Science

  • 2 credits from life science
  • 2 credits from physical science

Social Studies
6 required credits:

  • World History OR Geography and History of the World 
  • U.S. History 
  • U.S. Economics 
  • U.S. Government 

Health Education

1 credit:

  • Health and Wellness

Life Skills

4 credits:

  • Personal & Professional Development
  • Consumer Economics
  • Civics
  • Ethnic Studies

Computer Science

1 credit:

  • Introduction to Computer Science

Electives

13 credits:

  • We encourage you to take courses that are related to your career interest.

 

[Effective 01/24/2022]

The academic honors diploma is based on the Indiana state requirement for honors diplomas. To complete an academic honors diploma, you must:

  • complete a minimum of 47 credits.
  • currently have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
  • earn a "C" or above in courses that will count toward the diploma.
  • earn the required number of credits in specific academic areas.

In addition to the diploma requirements, you need to complete one of the following options:

  • 2 two-semester advanced placement courses (4 high school credits) OR
    • Note that IU High School does not administer AP Exams
  • 2 three-hour academic college courses from accredited colleges OR
  • 1 two-semester advanced placement course AND 1 three-hour academic college course from an accredited college OR
  • earn a composite score of 1250 or higher on the SAT and a minimum of 560 on math and 590 on the evidence based reading and writing section OR
  • an ACT composite score of 26 or higher

Language Arts
8 credits, including the required:

  • English 9
  • English 10

PLUS
4 elective credits from the following:

  • Creative Writing
  • English 11 Semesters 1 and 2
  • English Literature Semesters 1 and 2
  • American Literature Semesters 1 and 2
  • Mysteries
  • Five Novels of Change
  • Five Novels of Conflict
  • Speech
  • AP Language and Composition

Mathematics
8 credits:

  • Algebra I, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Geometry, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Algebra II, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Precalculus, Semesters 1 and 2

OR

  • Geometry, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Algebra II, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Precalculus, Semesters 1 and 2
  • AP Calculus, Semesters 1 and 2

Science
6 credits in laboratory science, including:

  • Biology I, Semesters 1 and 2

PLUS
4 credits from:

  • Physics I, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Chemistry, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Introductory Earth and Space Science I, Semesters 1 and 2

Social Studies
6 credits:

  • U.S. History (may substitute AP U.S. History), Semesters 1 and 2
  • World History or Geography and History of the World, Semesters 1 and 2
  • U.S. Economics
  • U.S. Government

Health Education
1 credit:

  • Health and Wellness

World Languages
6–8 credits (6 credits of one language or 4 credits of one and 4 of another):

  • French I, II, and III (two semesters each)
  • German I, II, and III (two semesters each)
  • Spanish I, II, and III (two semesters each)
  • or other IUHS-approved qualified languages transferred from another school

Career Development
1 credit:

  • Personal and Professional Development

Computer Science

1 credit:

  • Introduction to Computer Science

Fine Arts
2 credits from:

  • Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art
  • Art History and Appreciation
  • Theatre Arts History

Electives
7–9 credits:

  • You are encouraged to take academic courses in order to create a strong transcript. For suggestions, please talk to an advisor.

[Effective March 14, 2022]

Diploma program

EARN YOUR DIPLOMA FROM IU HIGH SCHOOL

Diploma students choose one of our diploma tracks: the standard IUHS Diploma, or the IUHS Diploma with Honors.

Students who joined the program before July 1, 2025 can still choose from General Education, College Prep, and Academic Honors.

Learn more + apply

Supplemental program

APPLY IU HIGH SCHOOL COURSES TO YOUR SCHOOL'S GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Whether you're accommodating the need for a flexible schedule or taking AP courses not available through your school, you can get started with an IU High School course to supplement your graduation requirements in as little as 15 minutes.

Learn more + register