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
Social Studies
3 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:
3 units of Social Studies. Must include 1 unit of U.S. History and 0.5 unit of U.S. Government.
Course Sequence
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
1 Unit U.S. History
0.5 Unit U.S. Government
and
0.5 Unit Social Studies
1 Unit Social Studies
Not required
Year 1
1 Unit U.S. History
Year 2
0.5 Unit U.S. Government
and
0.5 Unit Social Studies
Year 3
1 Unit Social Studies
Year 4
Not required
Equivalent Exams
No equivalent exams found
Last updated 9/3/2025