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Diploma

It is important that students earning a diploma from MU High School have a complete educational experience. For that reason the minimum requirements for an MU High School diploma meet those established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for public schools in the state. Students pursuing a general diploma from MU High School should complete the following minimum requirements.

College Preparatory Diploma Requirements
Subject Area Requirements  Units
English/Language Arts to include 9th and 10th grade English 4
Math  Algebra I & higher 4
Social Studies to include 1 unit of American History & *1/2 unit of Government  3
Science  1 unit  lab (Chemistry, Physics, or an equivalent lab course) 3
Fine  Arts 1
Practical Arts  1
Physical Education/Health 1 1/2
Foreign Languages  2 units of the same language 2
Personal Finance 1/2
Specified Core Electives  English, Math, Social Studies, Science, or a Foreign Language 1
Electives to include Project Personal Development and Career Planning 3
Total 24

Students who successfully complete the college preparatory curriculum will receive a college preparatory diploma and indication of this achievement will appear on student transcripts.

NOTES:
  • In order to receive a diploma from the University Of Missouri–Columbia High School, students must successfully complete a minimum of their five final courses (2 1/2 units) after acceptance into our diploma program, regardless of the number of credits earned at other schools.
  • Units of credit are expressed in Carnegie Units.
  • All MU High School courses are half-unit courses and equivalent to semester-length courses.
  • Practical Arts includes courses in Agriculture, Business, Family & Consumer Sciences, & Industrial Technology.

*Missouri residents taking courses from MU High School and all resident/nonresident diploma seeking students: The State of Missouri requires that you pass a test on the Missouri Constitution and the U.S. Constitution in order to meet core competency skill requirements in history. Successful completion of American Government or Government and Citizenshipwill meet these state requirements. You must complete the lesson covering the Missouri Constitution even if you are not a resident of Missouri. Both American Government and Government and Citizenship meet the core competency skill requirements in history for the State of Missouri.

Suggested Course Sequence - College Preparatory

Because many students who enter the MU High School diploma program will be transferring credit from other schools, the sequences we have provided should be used as suggested course schedules only. Students accepted into the diploma program will work with an MU High School counselor to develop their own course plan. Please keep in mind that there are many different ways students can accomplish their academic goals.

General Diploma -  9th Grade Suggested Course Sequence
Subject Area Course Recommendations  Units
English/Language Arts  9th grade English 1
Math   Algebra I 1
Social Studies American History to 1898 & American History Since 1898  1
Science  Physical Science 1
Electives  Foreign Language course and a Fine Art, Practical Art, or Physical Education/Health Course  2
Total Credits 6

 

General Diploma -  10th Grade Suggested Course Sequence
Subject Area Course Recommendations  Units
English/Language Arts  10th grade English 1
Math  Algebra II or Geometry  1
Social Studies American Government or Civics: Government and Citizenship and another Social Studies course OR World Geography OR World History to the American Revolution and World History Since the American Revolution 1
Science  Biology 1
Electives Foreign Language course and a Fine Art, Practical Art, or Physical Education/Health course  2
Total Credits 6

 

General Diploma -  11th Grade Suggested Course Sequence
Subject Area Course Recommendations  Units
English/Language Arts  11th Grade English or another Language Arts course  1
Math  Algebra II, Geometry, or Precalculus 1
Social Studies American Government or Civics: Government and Citizenship and another Social Studies course OR World Geography OR World History to the American Revolution and World History Since the American Revolution 1
Science  Physics or Chemistry   1
Electives Personal Development and Personal Finance AND a Foreign Language, Fine Art, Practical Art, or Physical Education/Health course.  2 or more 
Total Credits 6

 

General Diploma -  12th Grade Suggested Course Sequence
Subject Area Course Recommendations  Units
English/Language Arts  12th Grade English or another Language Arts course 1
Math  Precalculus OR Trigonometry and Statistics  1
Social Studies American Government or Civics: Government and Citizenship and another Social Studies course OR World Geography OR World History to the American Revolution and World History to the American Revolution plus World History Since the American Revolution, if needed   1
Science  Physics, Chemistry, or another Science course, if needed 1
Electives  English/Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, or Science course AND a Fine Art, Practical Art, Physical Education/Health or Foreign Language course 2 more
Total Credits 6