Ithaca College follows the New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations that guide the admission of all students, including homeschooled students, when reviewing applicants for admission. Proof of high school graduation or the equivalent is required of all incoming students before online course registration for the students' second semester. Ithaca College requires only one of the following:

1. A final, official transcript from a regionally accredited high school¹ indicating the date on which the student was awarded a diploma; or
2. Proof of having taken and successfully passed the examination for the high school equivalency diploma in the form of the examination transcript showing the actual test results; or
3. A letter of substantial equivalency from the Superintendent of Schools or comparable chief school administrator certifying that the student is completing a home instruction program that is substantially equivalent to a four-year high school program and submission of a valid and in effect individualized home instruction plan (IHIP) that authorizes full-time study; or
4. Proof that the student has completed and passed all requirements for the following five New York State Regents examinations: the Regents Comprehensive Examination in English, the Regents examination in mathematics, the Regents examination in United States history and government, a Regents examination in science, and the Regents examination in global history and geography; a passing score of 65 or, where applicable, a score of 55-64 as determined by the school district of residence (this option available only to students who are residents of New York State); or
5. Completion of 24.0 semester hours as a recognized candidate for a college-level degree or certificate distributed as follows: 6.0 semester hours in English language arts, including writing, speaking, and reading (literature); 3.0 semester hours in mathematics; 3.0 semester hours in natural sciences; 3.0 semester hours in social sciences; 3.0 semester hours in humanities; and 6.0 semester hours in any other courses that are part of a registered degree or certificate program at a regionally accredited institution of higher education¹; or
6. Possession of a previous college degree from a regionally accredited college or university¹ in the form of an official transcript that shows the degree and date on which it was granted; for a student who completed a degree in another country, the college will confirm that the study was at the postsecondary level and that the institution is recognized by the country's Ministry of Education or equivalent.

¹

The six regional accrediting agencies are: the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; the New England Association of Colleges and Schools; the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges; the Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities; the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.