how many credits to graduate high school in texas
Most Texas students need at least 22 credits to graduate under the Foundation High School Program, and many schools effectively require 26 credits when you add an endorsement.
Basic Credit Requirement in Texas
For students who started 9th grade under the Foundation High School Program (2014–2015 and later), the state sets 22 credits as the baseline to earn a Texas high school diploma.
Those 22 credits typically include:
- 4 credits in English
- 3 credits in math
- 3 credits in science
- 3 credits in social studies
- 1 credit in PE
- 1 credit in fine arts
- 2 credits in languages other than English
- 5 credits in electives
When It Becomes 26 Credits
Many districts now expect students to graduate with an endorsement , which raises the total to 26 credits.
Under a Foundation Program with endorsement :
- You still meet the 22-credit base.
- You add extra math and science and more electives tied to your endorsement pathway.
- That brings the total up to 26 credits in many schools.
Older Graduation Plans
Texas also still recognizes older graduation plans for students who started high school under them.
Examples include:
- Minimum High School Program – 22 credits minimum.
- Recommended and Distinguished programs – 26 credits minimum.
Students follow the plan that was in place when they entered 9th grade, so exact requirements can differ by cohort year.
What This Means For You
In practice:
- State minimum today : 22 credits for the basic Foundation High School Program.
- Common real-world expectation : 26 credits if your school requires an endorsement or uses a “26-credit plan.”
Because districts can layer on their own rules, the safest move is to:
- Ask your counselor which graduation plan and cohort you are under.
- Confirm whether your campus requires an endorsement (26 credits) or just the 22-credit foundation plan.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.