Computer Science Graduation Requirement
G.S.115C-12(9d). Computer Science amends G.S.115C-12(9d) to require the State Board of Education to include instruction in Computer Science in the standard course of study for middle and high school students. G.S.115C-12(9d) was adopted by the North Carolina Legislature on September 21, 2023, and was signed into law on September 29, 2023. The following is a highlight of the requirements of G.S.115C-12(9d). Computer Science:
- Requires every Public School Unit to offer a Computer Science course(s) to high school students to fulfill the graduation requirement by the 2026–2027 school year, and as early as the 2024-25 school year.
- The course(s) that meet the graduation requirement provided may be offered to middle school students and would fulfill the requirement.
- Requires the Department of Public Instruction to adopt a list of approved courses that would fulfill the Computer Science graduation requirement and publish the list on the department’s website by November 1, 2023.
- Requires every Public School Unit to offer an elective introductory Computer Science course in middle school that surveys the field of Computer Science by the 2025–2026 school year.
- Requires the Department of Public Instruction to adopt a list of approved courses that would fulfill the middle school elective introductory Computer Science course requirement and publish the list on the department’s website by January 1, 2025.
- Requires the Computer Science courses be conducted in person when practicable but may offer remote enrollment options that meet the requirements of Part 11 of Article 16 of G.S.115C.
Students Exempted from the Graduation Requirements
There are two exemptions to the Computer Science graduation requirement for two student groups.
- Students entering a public high school after completing the eleventh grade will be exempt from the Computer Science graduation requirement.
- Students on an individualized education program may be exempted if their disability would prevent them from completing the graduation requirement.
Local Implementation Delay Waiver Requests
Local Implementation Delay Waiver Requests were available only for 2024–2025 and 2025–2026; no waivers are permitted for full implementation beginning in 2026–2027.
Required Course Lists
Computer Science is not confined to coding or programming; it is a discipline that intersects every career pathway and field of study. Its principles extend across all content areas, from health sciences to the arts, and from agriculture to business. As the state continues to expand access to computer science education, it is essential that the review process reflects this interdisciplinary nature.
For the past two years, NCDPI conducted a review of courses to determine alignment with the core computer science concepts identified in the North Carolina Computer Science Standards. The review focused on traditional computer science concepts, including the impacts of computing, algorithms and programming, computing systems, networks, the internet, and data analytics. Courses were considered aligned if at least 80% of their content focused on three or more of these core concepts.
While this initial review provided a consistent foundation for implementation, it did not fully account for the cross-cutting nature of computer science.
For the 2026–2027 school year, the review process was broadened to align with the topics, pillars, and dispositions outlined in the new Computer Science Framework developed by the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). This expanded approach better reflects the interdisciplinary reach of computer science and its relevance across all Career and Technical Education (CTE) career clusters and academic disciplines.
Through this refined review process, all students, regardless of location or PSU size, have access to courses that prepare them to think critically, solve problems creatively, and succeed in a digital world. Courses on this list cannot count as an English, mathematics, science, or social studies credit.
A course will be considered eligible if it addresses the following principles of computer science:
• Algorithms
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computational Thinking
• Computing Applications Development
• Computing Systems
• Cybersecurity
• Data and Analysis
• Digital Collaboration Tools
• Digital Literacy (middle grades only)
• Emerging Technology
• Ethics
• Impacts of Computing/Technology
• Information Technology
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Machine Learning
• Networking Technology
• Physical Computing
• Programming
Updates to the list of computer science courses satisfying graduation requirements will be presented to the State Board of Education each year for approval.