Introduction

The Michigan High School requirements, known as the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC), consist of 18 credits built upon adopted standards in each content area. The Michigan High School Graduation Requirements are summarized and explained in detail following the content-specific links.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) – 4 Credits

• Proficiency in State Content Standards for ELA (4 credits)

MATHEMATICS – 4 Credits

• Proficiency in State Content Standards for Mathematics (3 credits); and
• Proficiency in district-approved 4th Mathematics credit options (1 credit) (Student MUST have a math experience in their final year of high school.)

ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

• Course, Learning, or Integrated Learning Experience.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH – 1 Credit

• Proficiency in State Content Standards for Physical Education and Health (1 credit); or
• Proficiency with State Content Standards for Health (1/2 credit) and district-approved extracurricular activities involving physical activities (1/2 credit).

SCIENCE – 3 Credits

• Proficiency in State Content Standards for Science (3 credits); or
• Proficiency in some State Content Standards for Science (2 credits) and completion of a department-approved formal Career and Technical Education (CTE) program (1 credit).

SOCIAL STUDIES – 3 Credits

• Proficiency in State Content Standards for Social Studies (3 credits).

VISUAL, PERFORMING, AND APPLIED ARTS – 1 Credit

• Proficiency in State Content Standards for Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts (1 credit).

WORLD LANGUAGE – 2 Credits (Effective with students entering 3rd grade in 2006)

• Formal coursework or an equivalent learning experience in Grades K-12 (2 credits); or
• Formal coursework or an equivalent learning experience in Grades K-12 (1 credit) and completion of a department-approved formal Career and Technical Education program or an additional visual, performing, and applied arts credit (1 credit).

The MMC gives districts the flexibility to develop courses, curricula, and systems, which meet the individual needs of their students. In collaboration with district administration, local school boards have the responsibility to determine "how" to implement the graduation requirements outlined by the MMC and when students have earned the appropriate credits. Local boards of education can establish additional graduation requirements beyond those in the MMC and the total number of credits required for graduation. However, a district cannot establish lesser requirements. [See also Earning Credit]

Districts must ensure that any student who entered 8th grade in 2006 or beyond must meet the requirements of the MMC. This includes alternative and adult education students. Modifications can be made to the MMC based on student needs (see Personal Curriculum Options). Students seeking a General Educational Development (GED) are not subject to the MMC requirements since the GED is an equivalency diploma issued by the U. S. government and is subject to its own criteria. Except for the one-semester credit requirement in Civics/Government, non-public and home schools can set their own graduation criteria and are not required to ensure that students have met the requirements of the MMC.