To receive your high school diploma, you must complete 160 course credits in the following subjects. The number of AHSD courses required for each category will vary from student to student depending on coursework completed at previous high school(s)/college(s), if any, and work/volunteer, and/or military experience, which may be counted as elective credits.

160 Credits of Required Coursework:

English 30 Credits
Mathematics 20 Credits; (10 credits in Algebra*)
Social and Behavioral Sciences 30 Credits
Natural Sciences 20 Credits
Humanities 15 Credits
Electives 45 Credits
Residency Requirement: Students must complete a minimum of 20 of the 160 required credits at PCC to receive a high school diploma from Pasadena City College. Residency requirements can be met through the PCC Adult High School Diploma courses and/or PCC credit courses.
Contact Petitions

As you approach completion of all required coursework, please meet with a Noncredit Counselor to submit a diploma petition. Diploma petitions are available for the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Petition Process

  1. Meet with a Counselor to Complete the Petition
    Diploma Petitions are filed during a Noncredit Counseling appointment. A counselor will review your completed coursework to determine your expected graduation term and assist you with the following:
    • Provide information for each subject area you have completed toward the AHSD program.
    • Verify all requirements are met.
    • Review your student record information is up to date on LancerPoint.

  2. Petition Evaluation & Results
    Diploma petitions are evaluated after final grades are posted for the filing term. The Admissions and Records Office will notify students the petition decision (approval or denial) only through the students PCC email address.

    Students whose petitions are approved will have their diplomas made available in the following periods:

    Petitions Term Diplomas Available
    Spring semester/Summer session Late October
    Fall semester/Winter session Mid-June
    Please check your PCC email regularly and ensure all of your student record information is up to date. 

Noncredit Certificate Process

A Certificate of Completion/Competency is awarded upon successful completion of a certificated program. To receive a certificate, all “required courses” in the certificate program must be completed with a "P" passing grade. You can verify your final grades on your “unofficial transcript” on LancerPoint. Please confirm that your current mailing address on LancerPoint and allow 1-2 months for your certificate(s) to be mailed after a term has ended.

Certificates are automatically awarded after successful completion. Certificate petitions are no longer required.

You may meet with a counselor to plan your enrollment in other noncredit programs or transitioning to credit programs.

Certificate Approximate Processing Time

Certificates are processed after the end of every term and mailed out approximately 1-2 months after each term.

Completion Term Certificates Mailed
Spring semester August
Summer session October
Fall semester February
Winter session April
  • All notifications regarding your petition will be emailed to your PCC Student Email ONLY. Check your email regularly.
  • It is very important that you provide a correct mailing address.  We will mail your certificate to the address you provided. PCC is not responsible for documents which are lost or damaged in the mailing process.