The State of Missouri has baseline high school graduation requirements that all school districts must follow when awarding credits or high school diplomas. However, school districts may impose additional credit requirements.
Missouri high school students need a minimum of 24 credit hours (including certain specific course credits) to graduate.
Alternate pathways to obtaining a high school diploma may also be available depending on the school district and the individual student’s circumstances.
One example is called the Missouri Option Program which may be available in some Missouri school districts and allows students to earn a diploma in a non-traditional way.
A second example is the High School Equivalency (HSE) certificate instead. A HSE certificate demonstrates that an individual has equivalent knowledge and skills to those of a high school graduate without completing the traditional high school program.
Please see the linked resources for more information:
- Credits and Graduation Planning One Pager
- Missouri Options One Pager
- Missouri High School Graduation Handbook
- MOCAP
