High School Course Requirements
Ready for College? Let’s Find Out
Before you can be admitted to the university, you’ll need to complete required high school courses determined by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).
Admission Requirements at a Glance
Click on each to see additional course details. If you are an international student, please review additional details here.
High School Coursework Requirements:
4 years of high school English Composition or Literature
OR one of the following:
SAT Score
SAT Reasoning Test: Critical reading score of 530 or above pre-March 2016; or 580 or above March 2016 or Later
ACT Score
English sub score of 21 or above College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies One 3-credit English course
College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies
One 3-credit English course
High School Coursework Requirements:
4 years of high school math:
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra II
- Advanced Math for which Algebra II is a prerequisite
OR one of the following:
SAT Score
SAT Reasoning Test: Math score of 540 or above pre-March 2016; or 570 or above March 2016 or later
ACT Score
Math sub score of 24 or above
College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies
One 3-credit course at the college algebra level or higher
High School Coursework Requirements:
3 distinctive units from the following areas: biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, integrated lab science (may include advanced study in one area)
OR one of the following:
SAT Score
SAT Subject Test scores:
- chemistry—600 or above
- biology—590 or above
- physics—620 or above
ACT Score
Natural science sub score of 20 or above (Test scores may be used to demonstrate competency in one science only)
College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies
Three 4-credit lab science courses (only two may be in the same field)
High School Coursework Requirements:
- One unit of American history
One additional unit from: European/world history, economics, sociology, geography, government, psychology, anthropology
OR one of the following:
SAT Score
SAT Subject Test scores:
- American history/social studies: 560 or above
- European/world culture: 580 or above
- No ACT equivalent available
College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies
One 3-credit American history course and one 3-credit social science course
High School Coursework Requirements:
Two units of the same language
OR one of the following:
SAT & ACT Score
Attain a minimum score on a national standardized language test, such as AP or CLEP Examination scores; or earn certified placement into third college-level semester or higher based on an exam given by an accredited institution of higher education; or other forms of verification are available.
College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies
One year of study in the same language; includes American Sign Language
High School Coursework Requirements:
One unit or any combination of two semesters of high school fine arts or the same CTE program
OR one of the following:
College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies
One 3-credit fine arts class or 3-credit CTE course approved by the Arizona Department of Education
Note: No SAT or ACT equivalents apply
Note: You may still qualify for admission with up to two course deficiencies.
A deficiency is defined in one of two ways: missing a unit of coursework or falling below a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in a specific subject area. Applicants must have an unweighted overall grade point average of 2.0 (A = 4.0) in each subject area and may not have more than two deficiencies. Students may not have deficiencies in both math and laboratory science or in the same subject area.
A Note About SAT/ACT Scores
SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission to the University of Arizona, institutional merit scholarships, or admission to the Franke Honors College. However, test scores are important post-admission for class placement at orientation. Students who took the SAT or ACT should send official test scores directly from the testing agency.
GED and Other High School Equivalency Tests
Your GED test scores will fulfill the high school transcript requirement, so you do not need to fill out the high school coursework section of our application. Enter General Education Development (GED) and select “High School” as the level of study under “Add Institution” in the Academic History section of the application.
GED 5th Series (2014-Present)
Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math
≥ 170 on each test component with Overall Battery Average ≥ 680
GED 4th Series (2002-2013)
Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, Math
Overall Battery Average ≥ 500
GED 3rd Series (1988-2001)
Writing, Interpreting Literature and the Arts, Socials Studies, Science, Math
Comprehensive Review
GED 2nd Series (1978-1987)
Writing, Interpreting Literature and the Arts, Socials Studies, Science, Math
Comprehensive Review
GED 1st Series (1943-1977)
Correctness and Effectiveness of Expression, Interpretation of Reading Materials in the Social Studies, Interpretation of Reading Materials in the Natural Sciences, Interpretation of Literacy Materials, General Mathematic Ability
Comprehensive Review
HiSet – High School Equivalency Test
Grading Scale 1-20 on 5 subtests, with score of 1-6 on essay portion.
Comprehensive Review
California Proficiency – CHSPE
English and Mathematics subtests only.
Comprehensive Review
Grand Canyon High School Diploma - GCHS
A valid, recognized high school diploma available to Arizona students who demonstrate college and career readiness in all core subject areas before they leave high school.
Comprehensive Review
TASC – Test Assessing Secondary Completion
Language Arts Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Comprehensive Review
Get in Touch With Your Recruiter
Our recruiters guide you through the admissions process and answer any questions you might have along the way.
Contact Admissions
Contact the Office of Admissions to learn more about transitioning to the University of Arizona.
International Curriculum Grading Scales
For international students, browse the other ways to award credit by exams or previous classes.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
The University of Arizona understands the quality and comprehensive nature of an International Baccalaureate program, and in recognition of the efforts students put into such a challenging curriculum, UArizona accepts IB exam scores as a basis for awarding credit towards a degree.
IB credit is considered credit by examination. Therefore, the University of Arizona accepts certain standard-level (SL) and higher-level (HL) International Baccalaureate exams for credit. Learn more by reviewing the IB credit table.
To calculate Grade Point Average (GPA), the University of Arizona uses the below grading scales for IB programs.
| Curriculum | Minimum Average Grade |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) | B or 5 (out of 7 or 8) |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-related Programme (CP) | B or 5 (out of 7) |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) | B or 5 (out of 7) |
Cambridge Education
At the University of Arizona, Cambridge International Examination (CIE) credit is considered credit by examination. Students who complete CIE classes in their high school may take Cambridge International exams prior to coming to the University of Arizona. Credit is determined from the CIE credit table that applies to the date when the exam was taken.
When evaluating Grade Point Average (GPA), the University of Arizona uses the below grading scales for Cambridge coursework. Please note: Predicted A-level grades will not be used in the GPA calculation.
| Curriculum | Minimum Subjects with Passing Grade | Minimum Average Grade |
|---|---|---|
| International General Certificate of Secondary Education Ordinary Level (IGCSE O-Level) | 5 | 70%, B or 6 (out of 9) |
| International General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Level (International AS-Level) | 3 | 70% or C |
| International General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (International A-Level) | 3 | 70% or C |
*If your AS-levels or GCE/A-levels courses are in-progress, please submit predicted GCE/A-levels/As-levels marks from your school. Please also include your high school transcript for all the years attended. University of Arizona defines academic subjects as mathematics, science, language, and social science.