You need at least 22 credits to graduate from a public high school in Texas under the Foundation High School Program, and most students earn 26 credits by adding an endorsement (the default in many districts).

Standard Texas credit breakdown

Under the state’s Foundation High School Program (FHSP), the minimum 22 credits are typically arranged like this:

  • English: 4 credits (English I, II, III, plus an approved 4th English).
  • Math: 3 credits (must include Algebra I; many schools also require Geometry plus one more advanced math).
  • Science: 3 credits (Biology plus two other lab sciences such as Chemistry, Physics, etc.).
  • Social Studies: 3 credits (usually World Geography or World History, U.S. History, Government, Economics).
  • Physical Education: 1 credit.
  • Fine Arts: 1 credit (art, band, choir, theatre, etc.).
  • Languages Other Than English (LOTE): 2 credits (same language; can include certain computer programming languages if allowed by the district).
  • Electives: 5 credits (career and technical education, extra core classes, etc.).

That adds up to 22 credits for a basic Texas diploma.

On top of credits, students must also:

  • Pass 5 End-of-Course (EOC) exams: Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History.
  • Demonstrate speech/communication proficiency (district decides how this is met, often via a specific course or embedded instruction).

Endorsements and 26-credit plans

Most Texas students follow the FHSP with an endorsement , which brings the total to 26 credits and is what many high schools strongly encourage or default to.

  • Endorsements are focus areas (like “majors”) in:
    • STEM
    • Business and Industry
    • Public Services
    • Arts and Humanities
    • Multidisciplinary Studies

To complete an endorsement, students typically need:

  • 4 credits in math (instead of 3).
  • 4 credits in science (instead of 3).
  • 2 extra elective credits (electives go from 5 to 7 total).
  • A coherent “sequence” of courses in that endorsement area (exact sequence set by each district/campus).

So for most students, the expected graduation path is:

  • 26 total credits (FHSP + endorsement).

Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA)

Many students aim for the Distinguished Level of Achievement , which is the top version of the FHSP with endorsement and is important for automatic admission to Texas public universities’ Top 10% rule.

DLA requires:

  • 4 credits in math including Algebra II.
  • 4 credits in science.
  • Completion of at least one endorsement.
  • Total of 26 credits.

This is strongly recommended if you might apply to a Texas public university.

Special early graduation option

There’s also the Texas First Early High School Diploma Program for high‑achieving students who want to graduate early.

Key points:

  • Still 22 high school credits, but with higher GPA and test expectations.
  • Minimum GPA around 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Scores at or above about the 80th percentile on approved college‑readiness exams or ranking in the top 10% of the class.
  • Must meet STAAR/EOC requirements and show mastery in core subjects instead of following the full 26‑credit endorsement route.

Why local details still matter

Even though the state sets the minimums, each Texas school district (and even each high school) can:

  • Require more than the state minimum (for example, making 26 credits the standard for everyone).
  • Decide which endorsements and course sequences they offer.
  • Decide how students meet speech/communication proficiency and which courses count for certain categories.

So to be 100% sure for your graduation plan in Texas, you should:

  1. Check your school’s graduation requirement sheet or handbook.
  2. Look at your district’s counseling or graduation requirements page.
  3. Sit down with your counselor and verify:
    • Your current total credits.
    • Which credits count toward each requirement.
    • Whether you’re on track for a 22‑credit basic plan, a 26‑credit endorsement plan, or the Distinguished plan.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.