AB Diploma

Unlike our counterparts in many of the states, typically the only recognized diploma in Alberta is the provincially provided diploma. To get this diploma, whether you are in school or homeschooling, means getting at least 100 credits in the following:

ENGLISH--30-Level
This means English 30-2 or English 30-1. Because of the credits from the 10- and 20-level courses, this will be a minimum of 15 credits toward the 100 credits. I say minimum because a student who gets credit for English 30-2 can work toward credit for English 30-1 afterwards.

SOCIAL STUDIES--30-Level
Yes, the government will not issue a diploma without credit in Social Studies 30-2 or 30-1. Social studies courses are also 5 credits each, so this would total to 15 credits, provided you are not relying on retroactive credits. It's my understanding that because one year's topics are not required for the next year's, the Alberta government does not give retroactive credits for the lower levels.

MATH--20-Level
While many students will want or need a 30-level math course to get into university, or an additional 30-level course for the diploma, it's not an actual requirement for the diploma. Math 20-1, 20-2 or 20-3 are all accepted for the diploma. Again, math courses are 5 credits each, so this will be a minimum of 10 credits.

SCIENCE--20-Level
At least one of: Science 20, Science 24, Bio 20, Chem 20 or Physics 20 (or, actually, by taking Science 14 AND Science 10). Science courses are also 5 credits each, so this should bring you a minimum of 10 credits.

With the just the core courses, you will have a minimum of 50 credits. Add on 30-level math and science, and that brings you up to 60 credits. But these are not the only courses you need to take:

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 10
You only have to have PE10 for the diploma, which counts for another 3, 4 or 5 credits. (I think it's the number of hours that determine it.) You can also do the 20- and 30-level courses for an additional 3, 4 or 5 credits each.

CALM (Career and Life Management)
This used to be CALM 20 and was done in grade 11; it's still typically done in grade 11, but you can really do it any time. CALM is a 3-credit course and not hard to do.

10 credits from any of the following:
*CTS courses (when done individually, they are only 1 credit each)
*Fine arts (5 credits each)
*Second languages (5 credits each)
*PE 20 and/or 30 (3, 4 or 5 credits each)
*Knowledge and Employability courses (the -4 courses)
*Registered Apprenticeship (RAP) courses
*Locally developed/acquired courses in the above areas (except apprenticeship). It doesn't say it, but religious studies courses count, I believe. (I can find out.)

10 more 30-level credits beyond the 30-levels required above (so, no, you can't use English 30-1 here if you counted English 30-2 above, for example):
These courses may include:
*30 - level locally developed/acquired and authorized courses
*Advanced level (3000 series) in Career and Technology Studies courses
*30 - level Work Experience courses
*30 - level Knowledge and Employability courses
*30 - level Registered Apprenticeship Program courses
*30 - level Green Certificate Specialization courses
*Special Projects 30
 What's not explicitly said but is implied in the "any" is they can also include 30-level math, 30-level science, 30-level phys. ed., 30-level art, 30-level second language...

The above information is all from the Guide to Education.

If you've done the total, meeting just the minimum requirements above only brings you to a minimum of 76 credits. You need to get an additional 24 credits. If you do PE 10 for 5 credits, then switch that to 78 and 22 credits. If you do math and science at the 30 level, that's 10 credits right there (although those could count instead toward the 10 credits of 30-level courses required). If you do bio, chem and physics plus math, you've got more credits there. Do phys. ed. for 5 credits each all the way through and you've added on another 12 credits (except, perhaps, what's being used for the "10 credits required" above.) Doing a second language to the 30 level adds credits or adding in a "second" second language would add on credits (only 25 credits in second languages can count toward the 100-credit requirement). Fine arts includes music and art courses. You can mix and match, as long as you follow the guidelines above.

To actually get the credits, be in touch with school boards to find out how they do it. These things can change from year to year. School of Hope/Vermilion Homeschooling and Wisdom are two boards that are supportive of obtaining credits through parent-directed homeschooling.

Any questions?