Texas Tech University

Graduation Requirements

close
Hide Contact Us

Please enter the information below and a representative from TTU K-12 will contact you shortly.

If the form fails to load, it can be viewed here.

Student in graduation uniforms throwing their hats in the air

TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program

TTU K-12 students come from different backgrounds, but they all share the common goal of pursuing academic success. The TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program offers a state-accredited alternative to students who need or desire the flexibility of distance education to complete their coursework and earn their high school diploma.

Students may apply and enroll in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program at any time throughout the year, and students graduate as soon as all of the requirements are met. Each summer, a commencement ceremony is hosted on the Texas Tech University campus to honor that school year's graduates.

Students in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program generally complete a total of six to seven credits per year (12-14 courses). To maintain an active status in the program, students are required to remain enrolled in at least four courses at all times and regularly submit lessons. At a minimum, students are expected to stay with the proper grade level for their age.

All students graduating from the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program must earn their last 2.5 credits through successful completion of five TTU K-12 courses. Credit by Exams (CBEs) and dual credit courses are not considered TTU K-12 courses.

Credit by Exams are available to students in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program for credit recovery or acceleration. Students interested in earning credit through successful completion of CBEs should contact their advisor to discuss the district and state policies regarding the exams.

HB 5 Personal Graduation Plan

House Bill 5 (HB 5), passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature and signed by the governor, provides for a new set of graduation plans for Texas students. These graduation plans consist of a Foundation Graduation Plan for every Texas student and five endorsements from which students may choose, depending on their interests.

Students in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program who enrolled in ninth grade during the 2014-15 school year or after must complete the Foundation Graduation Plan, and college-bound students must complete an endorsement and the Distinguished Level of Achievement.

English Language Arts (4 credits)

  • English 1
  • English 2
  • English 3
  • English 4

Mathematics (3 credits)

  • Algebra 1
  • Geometry
  • Advanced Math (Algebra 2 required for STEM endorsement)

Science (3 credits)

  • Biology
  • IPC or Advanced Science
  • Advanced Science
    (Chemistry and Physics required for STEM endorsement)

Social Studies (3 credits)

  • World Geography OR World History
  • U.S. History
  • Government (0.5)
  • Economics (0.5)

Language Other Than English (2 credits)

  • Level 1
  • Level 2

Fine Arts (1 credit)

  • Fine Art

Physical Education (1 credit)

  • Physical Education

Electives (5 credits)

  • Communication Applications (0.5)
  • Elective (0.5)
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Endorsement (4 credits)
See Endorsement Options below

  • Endorsement Credit
  • Endorsement Credit
  • Endorsement Credit
  • Endorsement Credit

Distinguished Level of Achievement

All students graduating from the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program on the Foundation with Endorsement Graduation Plan will also earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement. This allows them to compete for Top 10% automatic admissions at any Texas public university and positions them to be among those first in line for a TEXAS Grant should they qualify financially.

Students admitted into the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program as a ninth grader will automatically be scheduled in courses to meet the Distinguished Level of Achievement. Students and parents should speak to their academic advisor about any concerns regarding their graduation plan.

Foundation Graduation Plan

Students in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program will complete four credits in English and three credits in each Math, Science, and Social Studies in addition to two credits of the same language other than English, one fine arts credit, one physical education credit, and at least five elective credits including one-half credit of communications and speech for a total of 22 credits.

Students may not select the Foundation Plan without an endorsement without prior approval from their advisor. All ninth and tenth graders MUST select an endorsement, but they may be allowed to opt for only the Foundation Plan after tenth grade with parental consent.

Endorsements

In addition to the 22 credits earned on the Foundation Plan, college-bound students in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program will complete one advanced course credit in each Math and Science and two credits of targeted electives. Each endorsement option offered by TTU K-12 has one to four required electives to meet the endorsement.

Currently, TTU K-12 offers the endorsements in STEM, Business and Industry, Arts and Humanities, and Multidisciplinary Studies. Refer to the checklist below for specific courses required for each endorsement.

Students must choose one or more endorsements. A sample of the required courses for each endorsement is outlined below. Students should contact their advisor for a customized graduation plan.


Multidisciplinary Studies

Mathematics (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Math
    (Algebra 2 required)

Science (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Science
    (Physics and Chemistry recommended)

Social Studies (+1 credit)

  • World Geography OR World History

Elective (+1 credit)

  • Elective

Arts and Humanities (Option A)

Mathematics (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Math
    (Algebra 2 required)

Science (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Science
    (Physics and Chemistry recommended)

Social Studies (+2 credit)

  • World Geography OR World History
  • Psychology (0.5)
  • Sociology (0.5)

Arts and Humanities (Option C)

Mathematics (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Math
    (Algebra 2 required)

Science (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Science
    (Physics and Chemistry recommended)

Language Other Than English (+2 credits)

  • Level 1 of Second Language
  • Level 2 of Second Language

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Mathematics (+1 credit)
(Algebra 2 required prerequisite)

  • Precalculus

Science (+2 credits)
(Chemistry and Physics required)

  • Environmental Systems
  • Astronomy

Electives (+1 credit)

  • Elective

Business and Industry

Mathematics (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Math
    (Algebra 2 required)

Science (+1 credit)

  • Advanced Science
    (Physics and Chemistry recommended)

Electives (+2 credit)

  • Principles of Information Technology
    (replaces one elective choice of the Foundation Plan)
  • Business Information Management
    (replaces one elective choice of the Foundation Plan)
  • Digital and Interactive Media
  • Web Design

Because many of our online students transfer from other programs, TTU K-12 Academic Advisors guide students through the endorsement selection process and help them choose an endorsement that best fits their interests and existing credits. Students may change their endorsement at any time prior to graduation.

For more information on current Texas graduation requirements, please visit the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website.

Nontraditional High School Students

Due to the open-schedule courses offered by TTU K-12, many adults are given the opportunity to complete their high school diploma through the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program. Academic Advisors evaluate transcripts for nontraditional high school students based on the year they enrolled in ninth grade courses.

Students who enrolled in ninth grade after 2007-08 school year and before the 2014-15 school year must complete the 26 credit Recommended High School Program (RHSP) or the 22 credit Minimum High School Program (MHSP). In some cases, these students may be permitted to graduate on the Foundation Graduation Plan or the Foundation with Endorsement Graduation Plan and earn a Distinguished Level of Achievement.

Please contact a TTU K-12 Senior Academic Advisor at ttuk12@ttu.edu for information.

State and National Assessments

STAAR EOC Exams

Students are required to pass five State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) End-of-Course (EOC) exams to meet graduation requirements. Exceptions may apply. Please contact the TTU K-12 Testing Coordinator for student specific requirement.

  • Algebra I
  • English I (Reading/Writing)
  • English II (Reading/Writing)
  • Biology
  • US History

TAKS and TAAS Exams

Nontraditional high school students in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program may be required to successfully complete the Texas standardized test required for their graduation plan. Visit the TEA website for more information.

PSAT

For students who have earned 6.0 high school credits, the PSAT National Merit Qualifying Test may be taken for practice each October. To qualify for a spot as a National Merit Finalist and a possible scholarship, you must be classified as a junior in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program (13.0 high school credits).

To participate in this test, students should contact the TTU K-12 Testing Coordinator at ttuk12@ttu.edu for more information. It is recommended that you contact the testing coordinator by June, well in advance of the mid-October test date. PSAT can be taken in tenth and eleventh grades. Information regarding this process can be found at the College Board website.

SAT and ACT

Students classified as a junior in the TTU K-12 Full-Time Diploma Program should prepare to take the SAT and/or ACT. Contact the TTU K-12 Testing Coordinator at ttuk12@ttu.edu for more information.

SAT and ACT scores sent to Texas Tech University do not come to the offices of TTU K-12. Students should notify their Academic Advisor and Testing Coordinator of their intent to take the exam and send an official score report to the TTU K-12 Registrar's Office.

SAT Registration - www.collegeboard.org
Use Texas Tech University High School code 444357.

ACT Registration - www.act.org
Use Texas Tech University High School code 444357.

Planning for the Future

TTU K-12 is here to help all students achieve their goals and provides resources for all of their educational needs. Students should contact their Academic Advisor for more information about making plans for their future.