2024 – 2025
Mass Core and the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) Standards
Course & Program of Studies
| All students must earned a minimum of 127 credits over 4 years | ||
| Subjects | MassCore Standards |
BHE Admissions Standards * Most Colleges & Universities |
| English | 4 units | 4 courses |
| Math |
4 units Including completion of Algebra II or the Integrated Mathematics equivalent. A mathematics course during senior year is recommended for all students. Students may substitute one unit of Computer Science that includes rigorous mathematical concepts and aligns with the Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards for a mathematics course. |
4 courses Algebra I & II and Geometry or Trigonometry or comparable coursework including math during final year of high school |
| Science |
3 units lab-based science Coursework in technology / engineering courses may also count for MassCore science credit. Students may substitute one unit of Computer Science that includes rigorous scientific concepts and aligns with the Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards for a laboratory science course. |
3 courses from Natural Science and/or Technology Engineering, including 3 with laboratory work. |
| History | 3 units |
2 courses including 1 course in U.S.History |
| Foreign Language |
2 units of the same language |
— |
| The Arts | 1 units | |
| Other |
5 units Other additional coursework, including Career and Technical Education, or any of the above |
2 courses from the above subjects or from the Arts & Humanities or Computer Sciences |
MassCore:
* State law (M.G.L. c. 71,s. 3) states: “Physical education shall be taught as a required subject in all grades for all students.” Health can be integrated into Physical Education, science, or taught as a stand-alone course.
** A unit represents a full academic year of study or its equivalent in a subject that covers all the standards contained in a specific Curriculum Framework.
*** Students enrolled in a state-approved Career and Technical Education program of studies have the option of opting out of World Language and Art and still fulfill MassCore.
**** Districts may designate students with demonstrated fluency and literacy in language(s) other than English as meeting the MassCore recommendations for World language.