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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
