Credits/Graduation
Is a Correspondence Study course accepted as credit for the purpose of graduating with a Nova Scotia high school graduation diploma?
Public school courses taken by correspondence are recognized for credit towards a Nova Scotia high school diploma. Students transferring to Nova Scotia from another jurisdiction (province or state) must meet the Nova Scotia high school graduation requirements.
To be eligible to receive a Nova Scotia high school graduation diploma students transferring to Nova Scotia must complete a minimum of one Nova Scotia high school credit.
How do I know what credits I need to earn a Nova Scotia high school graduation diploma?
See the guidance office at the last high school you attended to have your transcript evaluated.
A Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma is awarded to students who have successfully completed the required subjects and electives as described below.
Students seeking to earn a Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma will require a minimum of 18 credits to graduate.
No more than seven of the 18 credits may be for grade 10 courses, and at least five must be for grade 12 courses.
Compulsory credits for the 2011 Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma will be those listed below.
These requirements will apply to any student who wishes to earn the 2009 Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma, regardless of the year in which the student registered in grade 10 for the first time.
Language, Communication, and Expression
- 3 English language arts, one at each grade level, or for students in Acadian or Francophone schools, 3 French language arts, one at each grade level
- 1 fine arts: art, dance, drama, or music
Science, Mathematics, and Technology
- 2 mathematics
- 2 science: one from biology, chemistry, Science 10, or physics, and one other approved science course
- 2 others from mathematics, science, and/or technology. Eligible technology courses include:
- Communications Technology 11 and 12;
- Computer Programming 12;
- Construction Technology 10;
- Data Processing 12;
- Design 11;
- Electrotechnologies 11;
- Energy, Power, and Transportation 11;
- Film and Video Production 12;
- Exploring Technology 10;
- Geomatics 12;
- Multimedia 12;
- Production Technology 11 and 12;
- Skilled Trades 10;
- Word/Information Processing 12;
- and Word/Information Technology 12.
- 1 Physical Education: eligible credits include Physical Education 10, Physical Education 11, Dance 11, Fitness Leadership 11, Physically Active Living 11, Physical Education 12, and Physical Education Leadership 12
- 1 Canadian History: African Canadian Studies 11; Canadian History 11/Histoire du Canada; Études Acadiennes 11; Gaelic Studies 11; and Mi’kmaq Studies 10
- 1 global studies: Advanced Global Geography, Global Geography, Advanced Global History or Global History are eligible credits.
Within the 18 course requirements for a graduation diploma, in most cases, no student may receive credit for two courses in the same specific subject area at the same grade level. There are a few exceptions: these include co-op courses, Canadian Literature, Global Geography, Global History, and technology-related courses.