To enroll in a Louisiana public four-year university, students must have:

Completed the Regents’ Core Academic Curriculum (currently the TOPS core) AND One of the following:

• A high school grade point average of 2.0 or higher,
OR

• An ACT composite score of 20 or higher
OR

• Graduation from high school in the top 50 percent of the class

NOTE: *Some universities will have higher requirements. Parents should contact a university’s admissions office or your high school guidance counselor for assistance.

www.regents.state.la.us

Effective with the graduates of 2008 and thereafter, the TOPS Core Curriculum will increase from 16 ½ to 17 ½ units. An additional advanced math or advanced science unit is required.

Core Curriculum:

English 4 units

English I, II, III, & IV

Math 3 units

Algebra I or Algebra I - Parts 1 & 2 (two units) or Applied Algebra 1A & 1B (two units) or Applied Mathematics I & II (two units) or Integrated Mathematics I, Algebra II or Integrated Mathematics II, Geometry, Calculus, Advanced Math I, Advanced Math II, Pre-Calculus, Prob­ability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, or Inte­grated Mathematics III

Science 3 units

Biology, Chemistry or Chemistry Com

Earth Science, Physical Science, General Science, Environmental Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or Physics for Technology

Agriscience I and Agriscience II (two units) – these two units may be substituted for one science unit as listed above.

Additional Advanced Math or Advanced Science 1 unit

Additional unit must be chosen from the following: Geometry, Calculus, Pre-Calcu­lus, Algebra III, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Applied Mathemat­ics III, Advanced Mathematics I, Advanced Mathematics II, Integrated Mathematics III, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, or Physics II

Social Studies 3 units

American History, Civics and Free Enterprise (1unit combined), Civics or AP American Gov­ernment Comparative, World History, Western Civilization, World Geography, or European History

Foreign Language 2 units

Foreign Language (2 units in the same language) or American Sign Language I&II

Fine Arts Survey 1 unit

or 2 units performance courses in music, dance or theater or 2 units studio art, or 2 units visual art or 1 unit of an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum

 Computer Science ½ unit

1/2 unit Computer Science, Computer Literacy, or Business Computer Applications or substi­tute at least ½ unit of an elective course related to computers that is approved by BESE includ­ing Advanced Technical Drafting, Computer Applications, Computer/Technology Applications, Computer Architecture, Computer Electronics I or II, Computer/Technology Literacy, Computer Science I or II, Computer Systems and Networking I or II, Desktop Publishing, Digital Graphics & Animation, Introduction to Business Computer Applications, Multimedia Productions, Mul­timedia Presentations, Technology Education Computer Applications, Telecommunications, Web Mastering, Web Design, Word Processing, and Independent Study in Technology Applica­tions or 1/2 unit of an elective from among the other subjects listed in the core curriculum

TOTAL: 17.5 units

This core curriculum is accurate as of the date of publication and includes courses listed in TOPS statute and those determined to be equivalent by the La. Board of Regents and BESE. (800) 259-5626, Ext. 1012 or (225) 922-1012 custserv@osfa.state.la.us www.osfa.state.la.us P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9202 Updated 8/9/06

See your school guidance counselor for detailed information regarding the TOPS Program

TOPS TECH CORE CURRICULUM

Core Curriculum:

English 4 units

English I, II, III, and IV or Senior Applications

Math 3 units

1 unit - Algebra I or Algebra I - Parts 1 & 2 (two units) or Applied Mathematics I & II (two units)

2 units - Geometry, Applied Mathematics III, Algebra II, Financial Math, Math Essentials, Advanced Mathematics I, Advanced Mathematics II, Discrete Mathematics, or Probability and Statistics

Science 3 units

1 unit - Biology

1 unit - Chemistry or applied Chemistry

1 unit - Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental Science, Integrated Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or Physics for Technology or Agriscience I and Agriscience II (two units) – (both for one unit)

Social Studies 3 units

1 unit - American History

1 unit - Civics and Free Enterprise (1unit combined), Civics (one unit)

1 unit - World History, Western Civilization, World Geography

Remaining courses must be selected from one of the following options:

Option I

Fine Arts Survey 1 unit

or substitute 2 units performance courses in music, dance or theater

or 2 units studio art, or 2 units visual art or a career/technical studies course approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE); or substitute 1 unit of an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum

Foreign Language 2 units

2 units of a Foreign Language (2 units in the same language), Technical Writing, Speech I or Speech II

Computer Education 1 unit

Computer education program of studies approved by BESE Electronics I or II, Computer/Tech­nology Literacy, Computer Science I or II, Computer Systems and Networking I or II, Desktop Publishing, Digital Graphics & Animation, Introduction to Business Computer Applications, Multimedia Productions, Multimedia Presentations, Technology Education

TOTAL: 17 units

Option II

4 units – Career major comprised of a sequence of related specialty courses and approved for the school by BESE

1 unit – Related or technical field course

1 unit - Basic computer course

19 Total Core Curriculum Units

This core curriculum is accurate as of the date of publication and includes courses listed in TOPS statute and those determined to be equivalent by the La. Board of Regents and BESE.

(800) 259-5626, Ext. 1012 or (225) 922-1012

custserv@osfa.state.la.us www.osfa.state.la.us

P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9202 Updated 8/9/06

See your school guidance counselor for detailed information regarding the TOPS Program

University and other postsecondary admission requirements:

All Louisiana’s four-year universities have in place new, more stringent admission requirements. While those requirements will vary from campus to campus, all campuses will require entering freshmen to have competed the Board of Regents (TOPS) high school core curriculum.

Another important part of preparing for college is taking tests to evaluate your academic readiness. In fact, the new admission requirements will also include a higher minimum score on the American College Test (ACT). The score required will depend on the particular institution. The good news is that you can begin now to improve your chances of success on the ACT by participating in the EPAS evaluation starting in the 8th grade.