Mississippi students have the opportunity to make their high school diploma more valuable. All 9th graders choose whether they want to work toward a Traditional Diploma, or take additional classes to earn an academic, distinguished academic or career and technical education endorsement.
Each diploma option will prepare students to be successful after graduation, whether that be in the workforce, a career and technical training program or college. Students who earn an academic or distinguished academic diploma endorsement from a public high school will be accepted into any of the state’s public universities.
Students are encouraged to talk with their school counselor to learn more about Mississippi’s Traditional high school diploma and opportunities to earn endorsements.
Mississippi High School Diploma and Endorsement Options Requirements
Mississippi Accreditation Accountability Standards
Traditional Diploma
- Earn 24 credits (Carnegie Units) in a selection of required classes including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Technology or Computer Science, College and Career Readiness, Health, Art, Physical Education and electives
- Local school districts may add graduation requirements to the state requirements
Traditional Diploma + Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsement
- Earn 26.Credits
- Earn an overall GPA of 2.5
- Earn silver level on ACT WorkKeys
- Must successfully complete one (1) of the following:
- One (1) dual credit
- Work based Learning
- Earn a State Board of Education approved national credential
- One (1) Advance Placement (AP), Diploma Program-International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge (AICE) course aligned to their career pathway. Students must earn a C or higher and take the appropriate exam.
Traditional Diploma + Academic Endorsement
- Earn 26 credits
- Earn an overall GPA of 2.5
- Two (2) elective courses must meet MS IHL college preparatory curriculum (CPC) requirements
- Must successfully complete one (1) of the following:
- ACT sub scores of 17 in English and 19 in Math
- Essentials of College Math or Essentials of College Literacy (in senior year)
- SAT equivalency subscore
- Must successfully complete one (1) of the following:
- One (1) AP course with a C or higher and take the appropriate Advance Placement (AP) exam
- One (1) Diploma Program-International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge (AICE) course with a C or higher and take the appropriate exam
- One (1) dual credit course and earn a C or higher in the course
Traditional Diploma + Distinguished Academic Endorsement
- Earn 28 credits
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0
- Two (2) elective courses must meet MS IHL CPC recommended requirements
- Must successfully complete one (1) of the following:
- ACT sub scores of 18 in English and 22 in Math
- SAT equivalency subscore
- Must successfully complete one ( 1) of the following:
- One (1) Advanced Placement (AP) course with a B or higher and take the appropriate AP exam
- One (1) Diploma Program- International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge (AICE) course with a B or higher and take the appropriate exam
- One (1) dual credit course earning a B or higher in the course
Alternate Diploma
- Students who have met the criteria of having a Significant Cognitive Disabilities (SCD) may participate in a program of study to earn the Alternate Diploma.
- Earn 24 Carnegie Units in a selection of required classes including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, Career Readiness, Life Skills Development, the Arts, and Electives
- Required to participate in the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program-Alternate (MAAP-A) and achieve a level of Passing or Proficient
- The state defined Alternate Diploma is included in graduation rates in the same manner as a traditional diploma.
- Students with an Alternate Diploma must contact the postsecondary institution to determine eligibility for Ability to Benefit (ATB)
Diploma Endorsement Options Seals
Click on the link above for information regarding seals that the school may use for student diplomas that represent the three different endorsement options.
Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy Options Seals
Participating School Districts Only, click on the link above for specifications and information regarding printing seals that the school may use for the gold and silver levels.
Resources
Mississippi State Board of Education Graduation Policies
Mississippi High School Diploma and Endorsement Options Communication Toolkit for Parents