Indiana Graduation Requirements: A 2026 Overview

If you are trying to understand graduation requirements in Indiana, the most important thing to know is that the state uses a two-part system: students must meet diploma course and credit requirements, and they must also satisfy Indiana's Graduation Pathways. The Indiana Department of Education says these requirements are designed to give students more flexibility while still ensuring they leave high school ready for college, work, military service, or another postsecondary path. Current state guidance also notes that the traditional Core 40, Academic Honors Diploma, and Technical Honors Diploma requirements remain in place for now, but they are scheduled to sunset for the class of 2028. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/))

Because graduation rules can change, families should always confirm details with their school counselor and the Indiana Department of Education. That caution matters especially in 2026, since Indiana is in a transition period between the current diploma system and the new diploma structure that will take effect for students beginning with the class of 2029. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/about/news/new-diploma-seals-spur-collaboration-between-k-12-higher-education-and-the-indiana-national-guard/))

How Indiana's Current Graduation Pathways Work

For students in the current system, Indiana's Graduation Pathways require completion of three broad components. First, students must complete the course and credit requirements for a high school diploma. Second, they must complete a learn-and-demonstrate employability skills component, which can include project-based, service-based, or work-based learning. Third, they must demonstrate postsecondary readiness through at least one approved option. The state's FAQ says students in the graduating class of 2023 and later must satisfy at least one option from each of these three areas. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Graduation-Pathways-FAQ-2023.pdf))

This structure is meant to recognize that students have different goals. A student planning to attend college may choose one pathway, while a student headed into an apprenticeship, direct employment, or military service may choose another. Indiana's official Graduation Pathways page says the system allows students to individualize graduation requirements to align with their postsecondary goal of enrollment, employment, or enlistment leading to service. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/))

What Students Must Do for the Diploma Requirement

The diploma portion of graduation still matters most because it is the foundation of the whole system. Indiana's state guidance says students must complete the course requirements of one of the approved diploma options. The state's current framework includes Core 40, Academic Honors Diploma, and Technical Honors Diploma, though these are being phased out for future cohorts under the new diploma law. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/course-titles-and-descriptions/))

In practical terms, that means students should pay close attention to their course schedule every year of high school. Missing a required math, English, science, social studies, or elective credit can delay graduation. The Indiana Department of Education's course titles and descriptions materials are used by schools to communicate course offerings, credit values, and graduation support information. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/course-titles-and-descriptions/))

Employability Skills: The Part Many Families Overlook

Indiana's employability-skills requirement is one of the most distinctive parts of the state's graduation system. Students must complete a project-based, service-based, or work-based learning experience. The goal is to show that students can apply knowledge in real-world settings, not just in a classroom. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Graduation-Pathways-FAQ-2023.pdf))

This requirement can be especially helpful for students who learn best by doing. It may also support career exploration, resume building, and confidence before graduation. Schools may structure this requirement differently, so students should ask early whether their school offers approved projects, internships, service learning, or work-based learning opportunities. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/))

Postsecondary Readiness Options in Indiana

The third part of Graduation Pathways is postsecondary readiness. Indiana allows several approved options, which may include college-ready test scores, career credentials, apprenticeships, or other recognized demonstrations of readiness. The state's Graduation Pathways page also explains that federally recognized apprenticeships can count, and that career and technical education concentrators may qualify through approved program sequences. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/))

One important detail is that Indiana has updated its career and technical education expectations over time. The state notes that the 2024 graduating cohort was the last cohort that could use Perkins V pathways, and that all students must use a Next Level Program of Study sequence beginning with the 2025 cohort. The state also says a CTE concentrator must complete at least two non-duplicate advanced CTE courses, along with required prerequisites, and earn at least a C average in the sequence. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/))

What Is Changing for Future Indiana Graduates

Indiana is not standing still. The state has already announced a new diploma system with diploma seals, and official guidance says the current graduation requirements will sunset on October 1, 2028. That means the new diploma requirements will apply to students beginning with the class of 2029, or students who are currently in eighth grade. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/about/news/new-diploma-seals-spur-collaboration-between-k-12-higher-education-and-the-indiana-national-guard/))

The Indiana Department of Education also says that the new diploma will include readiness seals such as Enrollment Honors Plus and Employment Honors Plus. According to the state, the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal guarantees automatic acceptance to all Indiana public higher education institutions and several private or independent institutions. The state also notes that the Indiana College Core is one way students can earn a credential of value tied to those seals. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/diplomas/))

For families, this means the graduation conversation should now include both the current diploma path and the future diploma path. Students entering high school in 2026 may still graduate under the existing system, but younger students may eventually graduate under the new rules. That makes long-term planning more important than ever. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/about/news/new-diploma-seals-spur-collaboration-between-k-12-higher-education-and-the-indiana-national-guard/))

Special Situations: Transfers, Alternative Schools, and Adult Learners

Indiana's rules apply broadly, including to students in alternative education settings. The state's FAQ says students in alternative education settings have the same graduation requirements as students in traditional schools. Transfer students, online learners, and students changing schools should still verify how credits will be counted, because local scheduling and transcript issues can affect whether a student is on track. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Graduation-Pathways-FAQ-2023.pdf))

For adults who did not earn a diploma, Indiana offers adult education and high school equivalency options through the Department of Workforce Development. That is a separate pathway from regular high school graduation, but it can still be an important route for college, training, or employment. The state also notes that the online proctored high school equivalency test has been suspended in Indiana as of July 1, 2025. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/dwd/career-training-adult-ed/adult-ed/index))

Practical Tips for Indiana Families

• Check your student's graduation plan every semester, not just once a year. ([secure.in.gov](https://secure.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-requirements/))
• Ask whether your school is using the current diploma system or preparing for the new diploma transition. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/about/news/new-diploma-seals-spur-collaboration-between-k-12-higher-education-and-the-indiana-national-guard/))
• Confirm which courses count toward diploma credits and which count toward Graduation Pathways. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/course-titles-and-descriptions/))
• Look early for employability-skills opportunities such as internships, service learning, or work-based learning. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/))
• If your student is interested in college, ask about the Indiana College Core and other readiness options. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/diplomas/))
• If your student is behind, contact the school counselor immediately so there is time to recover credits or adjust the plan. ([secure.in.gov](https://secure.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-requirements/))

Bottom Line

Indiana graduation requirements in 2026 are best understood as a moving target with a clear direction: the state wants students to graduate with both academic credits and real-world readiness. For now, students still work within the current diploma and Graduation Pathways system, but the state has already set a timeline for a new diploma structure beginning with the class of 2029. Families who stay informed, ask questions early, and review official guidance regularly will be in the best position to keep graduation on track. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/))

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