High School Diploma Endorsements
Students in North Carolina public schools and public charter schools may earn one or more endorsements on their high school diploma. These endorsements indicate that students have completed specific course concentrations preparing them to be ready for careers and/or college.
Students may earn more than one diploma endorsement. Students are not required to earn an endorsement in order to receive a diploma.
Based on State Board of Education policy (GRAD-007), the implementation of the diploma endorsements is required for all Local Education Agency high schools. This policy is optional for charter school boards of directors.
High School Diploma Endorsements
The five diploma endorsements available to NC public school graduates are:
- Career Endorsement indicating completion of a rigorous course of study that includes a Career Technical Education concentration; Contact: Crissy Brown, Advanced Learning & Gifted Education Education
- College Endorsement indicating readiness for entry into NC Community Colleges; Contact: Crissy Brown, Advanced Learning & Gifted Education
- College/UNC Endorsement indicating readiness for entry into a four-year university in the University of North Carolina system; Contact: Crissy Brown, Advanced Learning & Gifted Education
- NC Academic Scholars Endorsement indicating that students have completed a balanced and academically rigorous high school program preparing them for post-secondary education. Contact: Crissy Brown, Advanced Learning & Gifted Education
- Global Languages Endorsement (Seal of Biliteracy) indicating proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. Contact: Dr. Ann Marie Gunter or Catie Cohen, Office of Academic Standards
- Arts Proficiency Endorsement indicating proficiency in an arts area based on both course attainment as well as outside of school arts experiences. Contact Brandon Roeder or Laura Stauderman, Office of Academic Standards.
- Except as limited by N.C.G.S. §115C-81(b), the student shall complete the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math I, II, III or Integrated Math I, II, III and a fourth mathematics course aligned with the student’s post-secondary plans. Acceptable fourth math courses for the Career Endorsement include any math course that may be used to meet NC high school graduation requirements, including applied math courses found in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) domain;
- The student shall complete a CTE concentration in one of the approved CTE Career Pathways;
- The student shall earn an unweighted grade point average of at least 2.6;
- The student shall earn at least one industry-recognized credential. Earned credentials can include Career Readiness Certificates (CRC) at the Silver level or above from WorkKeys assessments or another appropriate industry credential/certification; and
- The student shall earn at least the benchmark reading score established by a nationally norm-referenced college admissions test. The student may retake the nationally norm-references test as many times as necessary to achieve the required benchmark score.
- The student shall complete the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math I, II, III or Integrated Math I, II, III; and a fourth mathematics course aligned with the students post-secondary plans. The fourth math course must meet University of North Carolina system Minimum Admission Requirements or be acceptable for earning placement in a credit-bearing college math class under the North Carolina Community College System’s Multiple Measures Placement policy;
- The student shall earn an unweighted grade point average of at least 2.6; and
- The student shall earn at least the benchmark reading score established by a nationally norm-referenced college admissions test. The student may retake the nationally norm-references test as many times as necessary to achieve the required benchmark score.
- The student shall complete the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math I, II, III or Integrated Math I, II, III and a fourth mathematics course that meets University of North Carolina system Minimum Admission Requirements that include a mathematics course with either Algebra II, Math III or Integrated Mathematics III as a pre-requisite;
- The student shall complete three units of science including at least one physical science with a lab, one life science and one additional science course;
- The student shall complete U.S. History or equivalent coursework;
- The student shall complete two units of a world language (other than English);
- Students shall earn a weighted grade point average of at least 2.5; and
- The student shall earn at least the benchmark reading score established by a nationally norm-referenced college admissions test. The student may retake the nationally norm-references test as many times as necessary to achieve the required benchmark score.
- The student shall complete the Future-Ready Core mathematics sequence of Math I, II, III; Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II; or Integrated Math I, II, III and a fourth-level mathematics course that meets University of North Carolina system Minimum Course Requirements that include a mathematics course with either Math III, Algebra II, or Integrated Mathematics III as a pre-requisite;
- The student shall complete three course credits of science including an Earth/Environmental science course, Biology, and at least one physical science course that must include either physics or chemistry;
- For students entering ninth grade in 2012-13 or later, the student shall complete four course credits of social studies;
- The student shall complete two course credits of a world language (other than English);
- The student shall complete four elective course credits in any one subject area, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), JROTC, Arts Education, World Languages, or in another content area;
- The student shall have completed at least three higher-level courses during junior and/or senior years which carry quality points such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment courses; Advanced CTE and CTE credentialing courses; honors level courses, or Project Lead the Way courses; and
- The student shall earn an unweighted grade point average of at least 3.50.
The student shall demonstrate mastery of the English language with one of the following:
- complete English IV or equivalent course and earn a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of at least 2.5 for all English coursework required for graduation; or
- use the Credit by Demonstrated Mastery policy to complete the English IV course required for graduation; or
- take a nationally norm-referenced external exam approved by NCDPI and achieve a score that meets the English requirement as noted on the approved list.
The student shall demonstrate mastery of a World Language by earning Intermediate Mid proficiency or higher on the ACTFL proficiency scale in each language with one of the following:
- complete a Level IV or higher course in a World Language and earn a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of at least 2.5 for all World Language coursework in that language; or
- use the Credit by Demonstrated Mastery policy to complete a Level IV or higher course in a World Language, including the home and heritage languages used across North Carolina; or
- take a nationally or internationally norm-referenced external exam approved by NCDPI and achieve a score of Intermediate Mid or higher in that language.
In June 2024, the State Board of Education approved the Arts Education Proficiency Diploma Endorsement. The requirements are based on legislation. The Arts Education Quick Guide provides direction for LEAs implementing procedures for the 2024-25 school year. The document includes a student form for documenting the 40 hours of arts-related extracurricular activities as well as clarification on what activities can be approved by the local school board.
Quick Guide: go.ncdpi.gov/AE-Endorsement-Guide
40-Hours Form: go.ncdpi.gov/AE-Endorsement-Form
Student requirements are:
- The student shall complete a minimum of four NCSCOS arts courses.
- The student shall earn an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher in each arts credit.
- The student shall complete a minimum of 40 hours of arts-related extracurricular activities.
- The student shall participate in an arts-related extracurricular activity approved by the local board of education.
- The student shall complete all of the required hours outside of instructional hours.
- The student shall not receive any course credit for participation in the activity.
- In accordance with State Board guidance, the student shall document the hours on the form provided to local boards of education.
NOTE: The NC-SIS will not be computing the Arts Endorsement this year. LEAs and others may use local processes to award the Arts Endorsement. It will not appear on the transcript this year.
Diploma Endorsement Seals
Districts and schools may purchase diploma endorsement seals from the NCDPI's Publication Sales. The seals are Catalog items IS178-182 and IS192 and they are sold as sheets of 63 seals/page for $3/page plus shipping. If a district or school has the ability to print their own seals, they may request print-ready files by emailing Publication Sales.