Academic Paths
Explore state-specific academic requirements and plan your high school course sequence to meet graduation standards and college preparation goals.
South Dakota: High School Diploma Requirements
South Dakota
Subject Areas
Language Arts
4 units
Subject Areas
Mathematics
3 unitsScience
3 unitsSocial Studies
3 unitsPhysical Education
0.5 unitsElectives
5.5 unitsHealth
0.5 unitsLanguage Arts
4 unitsFine Arts
1 unitPersonal Finance or Economics
0.5 unitsAdditional Courses
1 unit
Source:
South Dakota Department of Education, more info here.
Course Requirements
Requirement:
4 units of Language Arts, including 1 unit of Writing, 1 unit of Literature (must include 0.5 unit of American Literature), 0.5 unit of Speech or Debate, and any other Language Arts elective for the remaining 1.5 units.
Course Sequence
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
1 Unit Language Arts Writing
1 Unit Literature (including American Literature
1 Unit English
0.5 Unit Speech/Debate
and
0.5 Unit English
Year 1
1 Unit Language Arts Writing
Year 2
1 Unit Literature (including American Literature
Year 3
1 Unit English
Year 4
0.5 Unit Speech/Debate
and
0.5 Unit English
Equivalent Exams
No equivalent exams found
Last updated 9/3/2025