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Graduation Requirements

These are, of course, the dreaded “graduation requirements”. For your pleasure and ease, we’ve compiled these and turned them into a web-friendly format. Feel free to reference, save, print, or otherwise enjoy. Included are the “official” BHS course- and credit-requirements, as well as the University of California “a–g” minimum eligibility requirements. In the tables below, “BHS” refers to Berkeley High graduation requirements; “UC” refers to UC/CSU entry requirements.

Two disclaimers: First, all of the below is accurate as far as we know — it was taken directly from information BHS released — but considering how the school is, some things might have changed since then. If this is the case, please let us know.

Second, these are minimum requirements. That means, you must have such-and-such credits to graduate from the school, and such-and-such credits to be considered for a UC. However, these days, minimum requirements don’t go very far. It’s generally accepted folk wisdom that, if you want to increase your chances at getting into any college, you’d better go above and beyond the minimum requirements.



Social Studies Requirements — “a” Requirement
BHS UC
3 and 1/2 Years and 35 Credits

World History 1/2
US History 1/2
American Government (1 semester)
Economics (1 semester)
Any Social Studies Elective (1 semester)
2 Years of Social Studies

Choice of:
1 Year World History/Cultures
or
1 Year Geography
plus
1 Year US History
or
1 Semester US and 1 Semester Civics or Government


English Requirements — “b” Requirement
BHS UC
4 Years and 40 Credits

English 1A/B
World Literature A/B
American Literature A/B
Two Semesters of English electives
4 Years of College-Prep English


Mathematics Requirements — “c” Requirement
BHS UC
2 Years and 20 Credits

2 Years of any Math
3 Years of Math

Algebra 1 A/B
Geometry A/B
Algebra 2 A/B


Science Requirements — “d” Requirement
BHS UC
2 Years and 20 Credits

1 Year of Physical Science
1 Year of Life Science
2 Years of Science (College-prep lab work only)

2 Years of College Prep Lab Science. 3 Years Recommended


Foreign Language Requirements — “e” Requirement
BHS UC
1 Year and 10 Credits

Note: To graduate from Berkeley High, you must have either 1 year of Foreign Language credit, or 1 year of Visual & Performing Arts credit. You do not need both.
2 Years of Foreign Language

2 Years of Foreign Language, 3 Years Recommended


Visual & Performing Arts — “f” Requirement
BHS UC
1 Year and 10 Credits

Note: To graduate from Berkeley High, you must have either 1 year of Visual & Performing Arts credit, or 1 year of Foreign Language credit. You do not need both.
1 Year of Visual & Performing Arts

1 Year of Visual & Performing Arts, or 2 Semesters from the same subject area


Electives — “g” Requirement
BHS UC
6 and 1/2 Years and 65 Credits

13 Semester-Long Electives
1 Year of Electives

1 Year or 2 Semesters of any electives


Identity and Ethnic Studies
BHS UC
1 Year and 10 Credits

This is a required course. Freshmen must take one year of IES. Note: As of the current date, the legacy “IES” requirement has been folded with freshmen English into a two-period combination class called “Freshmen seminar.” Just like IES, it is required, and fulfills both English and IES credit.
None

The UC system doesn’t care about IES. There is no requirement.


Physical Education
BHS UC
2 Years and 20 Credits

Note: Students are required to take PE during their Freshmen year. After that, however, it is possible to obtain PE credit by participating in a school-sanctioned interscholastic sport.
None

The UC system doesn’t care about PE. There is no requirement.

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