College Academic Distribution Requirements

To qualify for college admission, students must meet the State of Washington’s academic core requirements, known as the College Academic Distribution Requirements, or CADRs. Students can meet these requirements through either high school or college coursework (where 5 quarter credits or 3 semester credits equal 1 high school CADR credit).

Washington Student Achievement Council

Review the following core guidelines from the Washington Student Achievement Council:

• English: Must include 3 credits of college preparatory coursework, including literature and composition.
• Mathematics: Must include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (Intermediate Algebra) or Integrated Math I, II, and III.
• Science: 1 credit must be algebra-based; 1 must be biology, chemistry, or physics; 2 credits must be lab-based.
• World Languages: 2 credits are required in the same world language, Native American language, or American Sign Language (ASL).
• Social Science: Credits must be earned in history or any of the social sciences (e.g., anthropology, economics, geography, government, political science, psychology, or sociology).

For more information on courses that meet admission requirements, visit the Washington Student Achievement Council website.