For admission to the CSU, graduation from high school and receipt of a high school diploma are admission requirements. If you are like most students, this is a logical conclusion of attending high school. So for most CSU freshman applicants, the other basic admission requirements — high school coursework and grades and test scores — should be the focus of your attention.

Graduation Options

It is always best to stay in high school to receive your high school diploma. We realize that sometimes it is just not possible to do so. There are options available for completing the equivalent to a high school diploma. So if you cannot earn your diploma, consider one of the following options.

• Passing the California High School Proficiency Examination is the legal equivalent of earning a high school diploma.

• The General Education Development program (GED) is another examination program that, upon successful completion, offers the equivalent of a high school diploma.

IMPORTANT! Remember that completing either the California High School Proficiency Examination or the GED does not eliminate the high school course requirements or the grades and test requirements.