A high school diploma is an academic school-leaving certificate issued to students who have completed high school. A high school diploma signifies that a student has completed all of the graduation requirements. A four-year course of study, from grade 9 to grade 12, is usually required to acquire a high school diploma.
The school awards the diploma in compliance with the local state or provincial government’s standards. The prerequisites for getting the diploma vary by jurisdiction, and different streams or levels of high school graduation may have varying requirements. They usually consist of a combination of selected coursework that meets specific standards for a particular stream and passing scores on the state exit test.
To receive a diploma, a student must normally pass grade-level English, math, social studies, science, and other courses. The quantity and type of credits required by each state differs. A student may also be required to pass a high school exit test in order to receive a diploma in some states.
A high school education should prepare pupils for the next step in their education: college and careers, as well as civic life. Simply said, high school curriculum requirements for a basic, nonadvanced high school diploma are important because they determine what students can achieve as they proceed through and beyond high school.
Table of contents
- Is a High School Diploma Necessary?
- Similar High School Credentials
- The Truth about What a High School Graduation Represents in Today’s Economy
- How to Get a Diploma in High School
- Should I Enrol in College Immediately After Graduating from High School?
- What if I didn’t Graduate from High school, Is it still possible for me to Obtain a High School Diploma?
- Diplomas Equivalent to a High School Diploma
- The Difference between a Diploma and a Certificate from High School
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Is a High School Diploma Necessary?
The majority of people obtain their high school degrees by finishing 12th grade and satisfying their state’s graduation criteria. Even if you dropped out of school without receiving a diploma, there are ways to obtain one as an adult.
You have two major options: enroll in a traditional adult high school diploma program or enroll in an accredited online high school. Many people prefer the latter since it is more convenient and allow them to obtain their high school graduation without having to travel.
Be sure to research any adult high school graduation programs (both in-person and online) you’re contemplating before enrolling. You don’t want to lose money to a con that gives you a forged certificate! To discover more about legitimate (online) schools and programs for adult learners, contact your state’s department of education.
If you don’t want to go back to high school and receive your diploma, you can take a high school equivalency test like the GED.
While a high school diploma is not required to apply for jobs or enroll in community college, it is required to attend a four-year institution or university. You’ll also make more money on average if you have a high school diploma than if you don’t!
You’ll never be too old to go back and acquire your high school diploma, so don’t feel like you don’t have any options.
Read: All You Need To Know About Online High School Diplomas
Similar High School Credentials
GED Certificate:
This isn’t the same as a high school diploma. However, a GED is usually accepted by the military, colleges, and employers in place of a high school diploma.
Vocational diploma:
A vocational diploma is for a student who achieved the required technical skills for a certain job.
Honors diploma:
A special high school diploma for a student who achieved a high academic level. This usually means earning a high grade-point average or passing advanced tests.
If you left school but are thinking of going back to finish your diploma, you may be wondering whether it’s worth the effort. You may be asking if earning your high school diploma is really that important to your future.
Well, the short answer is “yes.” In fact, statistics show it matters very much.
The Truth about What a High School Graduation Represents in Today’s Economy
It Positions You for Promotion:
The battle isn’t over once you’ve been employed. A high school diploma will place you on the list to get hired and promoted, just as it will put you on the list to get a job.
Even if an employer takes a chance on you and hired you for an entry-level position, you’ll be competing with your coworkers for promotions to higher-paying positions once you’ve started.
In most cases, advanced roles with higher salaries require particular skills or certifications. When elevating individuals into those positions, employers are frequently ready to pay for the training.
When a promotion opportunity arises, a coworker who has a high school education is
inherently more competitive than you because they are in a position to qualify for the training program. They’re allowed to enroll while you’re not. Why wouldn’t you be a good fit for the program? The next truth regarding having a high school diploma is this:
Read: Top 40 Accredited Online High School Diploma |2023
Most Training Programs Require a High School Diploma to be Eligible:
Your diploma will not only make you more competitive for jobs and promotions but it will also be required if you wish to pursue any specific function or career. To become a student, all trade schools, colleges, and universities need candidates to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Without a high school diploma, you’ll have to give up all hopes of studying a profession,
entering the police or fire academy, or working in an office or technical position, aside from on-the-job promotions.
Because all of these jobs need you to finish training programs at trade schools, colleges,
or universities, not having a diploma effectively closes the door because your application to these programs will be ignored.
It Persuades Employers That You Are Hireable:
Let’s face it, we live in a competitive environment, and businesses aren’t prepared to take a chance on hiring the incorrect person.
In fact, most firms will not even consider hiring someone who has not completed high school. You might think that’s unfair unless you consider how much time and money it takes for a company to hire and train a new employee.
A company wants to make sure they’re making the proper decision by hiring you to join their team.
Employers see a high school graduation as proof that you are responsible and have the
self-discipline to work well and finish responsibilities. It demonstrates to employers that you are competent in doing the work, succeeding, and creating and achieving goals.
How to Get a Diploma in High School
Students typically complete four years of high school to receive their diplomas.
Candidates should check with their state’s Department of Education or their educational institution for more information about the requirements for earning a high school diploma.
Completing science, mathematics, English, social studies, physical education, electives,
and a foreign language are all required for a public high school diploma. Obtaining a high school diploma from a private school may necessitate additional fine arts and foreign language training.
Should I Enrol in College Immediately After Graduating from High School?
Many high school seniors assume that entering college immediately following graduation is a guarantee. However, going to college soon after high school isn’t the best option for everyone.
After high school, some students take a year off to work, travel, or volunteer, and they return to school more mature than their peers. They can get more out of their college education if they have some “real world” experience because they know what to expect.
Taking time off allows indecisive students to think more deeply about the career path they wish to take. Some students graduate from high school with no clear sense of what they want to do with their careers, and it may take some practical experience to help them make that decision.
Going to college directly after high school, on the other hand, has a lot of advantages.
For example, the sooner you enroll, the sooner you will be able to apply for high-paying jobs in the future.
You won’t lose the momentum you’ve built up over the last 12 or 13 years of schooling. If you wait, it will be more difficult to get back into the rhythm of things, and you may not be able to attend college at all.
Overall, it comes down to your particular preference. You are the best judge of yourself,
therefore whatever decision you make, make sure it is for the development of your future.
What if I didn’t Graduate from High school, Is it still possible for me to Obtain a High School Diploma?
You can still get a diploma if you didn’t finish high school through a variety of other options. Adult high schools are available in many areas, allowing you to pick up where you left off and obtain the credits you need to graduate.
Exams for a high school equivalency diploma are also available in every state.
High School Diploma for Adults
Adult high schools are typically provided by public school districts, technical schools,
and community colleges. You receive a diploma from the institution that hosts the program in adult high schools.
The prerequisites for admission vary, but most candidates submit a copy of their high school transcript and consult with a counselor to determine the credits required for graduation.
Each state sets its own graduation requirements, but most call for roughly 22 credits,
which include 3 credits in science, 3 credits in social studies, 3 credits in math, and 4 credits in language arts.
Students often work at their own speed and finish coursework through classes, online assignments, and supervised study. Students at several Adult High Schools must complete state assessment tests.
Read: Easy Step Guide To Get A High School Diploma In Spanish In 2023 | Best Schools, Cost, Salary, Career
Virtual High Schools
Adult learners can now enroll in a growing number of recognized online high schools.
Adults from all across the United States can enroll in some online high schools’ distance learning programs.
Brigham Young University, for example, is a well-known university that provides online diploma programs.
Students in the online program must additionally complete credits in fine arts, physical education, financial literacy, computer technology, and five optional courses in addition to basic academic requirements.
Diplomas Equivalent to a High School Diploma
Students can receive a high school equivalency credential in any state by completing a
comprehensive exam. The General Education Development (GED) high school equivalency exam was previously the only national test granting equivalency diplomas.
Some states, however, have replaced the GED with the TASC Test or the HiSET Exam since 2014. Even though the GED, TASC, and HiSET tests have different testing alternatives and formats, they all cover the same material. Reading comprehension and analytical skills are required to pass.
You must also interpret data presented in the form of tables, charts, and diagrams. At least one essay must be written for each exam. You will need to solve questions using arithmetic, geometry, and algebra to pass the mathematics portions.
The Difference between a Diploma and a Certificate from High School
You may have observed that when you graduate from high school, you can choose between two sorts of ‘degrees’: a high school diploma and a high school certificate. What’s the difference, though?
In a nutshell, a high school diploma is a certificate you receive after meeting all of your school’s, district’s, city’s, and state’s educational requirements.
A high school certificate, on the other hand, indicates that you completed high school but did not meet all of the requirements for graduation.
Here are some Differences between a High School Diploma and a High School Certificate:
To begin, a diploma is only awarded if the student meets all of the prerequisites. A certificate can be given on more flexible terms (albeit this is usually contingent on the student’s specific educational program).
You can join the military and/or apply for federal student aid programs if you have a high school diploma.
Unfortunately, neither of those colleges will recognize a high school diploma. Most institutions require a high school diploma, while other colleges may consider prospective students who just have a high school certificate on a case-by-case basis.
Most businesses will also favor applicants with a high school diploma, but applicants with a high school diploma may have a harder time being hired.
A student can also pursue a GED, or General Equivalency Diploma, in place of a high school
diploma. While a GED is not the same as a high school diploma, it is recognized by the military and accepted by most institutions and businesses.
GEDs are typically awarded to people who dropped out of high school and are returning after some time, or immigrants whose home country’s educational system differs from that of the United States.
A vocational diploma, on the other hand, is a more acceptable degree for people who want to work in highly technical domains following high school. Students who complete a vocational education system and demonstrate competence in a certain technical sector are awarded a vocational diploma.
These technical subjects are frequently manual labor-related, and a vocational diploma will make a student more appealing to employers by demonstrating that they have the abilities required for their job.
Read Also: Easy Steps To Getting A Free Online High School Diploma In Texas 2023 | Best Schools
FAQs
Today’s competitive job market continues to prioritize candidates with additional education post-high school, with 99% of the jobs since 2010 going to employees with at least some postsecondary education, an option that is not available for students without a high school diploma.
Usually, there are printing marks on the paper since fraudsters often use cheap ink and printing methods. As well, the paper quality is often flimsy and of poor quality. The placement of text, especially for the words “University” or “College” is placed in the wrong place.
A high school diploma is a standard requirement for most jobs — and for higher education opportunities. Not completing high school is linked to a variety of factors that can negatively impact health, including limited employment prospects, low wages, and poverty.
Conclusion
The aforementioned are just a few of the many benefits that a high school graduation can provide. But we haven’t even discussed how returning to school and completing your graduation will affect your self-esteem and prospects.
We make a first impression on everyone we encounter, it’s a fact. Having a diploma will help you make a good first impression, whether you’re seeking a job or just meeting new people.
When you can state you graduated from high school, you’re demonstrating to others that
you have the self-discipline and determination to do something significant. That you have goals and objectives for yourself and your future. You’re implying that you believe in yourself and that they should as well.
In the end, the decision to return to school is a personal one, but the truth is that a
high school graduation can open doors and provide chances that a high school dropout would not have had. More significantly, earning your high school graduation will demonstrate your abilities.
To obtain a high school diploma in the United States, you must have finished 12th grade and graduated from high school. More specifically, you must have completed all required courses and met all of your state’s graduation requirements.
The most popular way to obtain a high school diploma is through this route. But what if you dropped out of high school before graduating?
In this situation, you can earn a high school diploma by taking the courses required to
meet your state’s graduation and credit requirements.
References
- understood.org/ – The difference between a high school diploma and a high school certificate
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