Getting a high school diploma has major benefits over completing the GED or General Education Advancement Examination. The online high school diploma can be your high school graduation ticket as well as your first-class education springboard.
The said diploma is intended at certifying high school academic competence but places the standard far lower than regular high school education.
Statistically, adults with a high school diploma or GED earn an average of $11,000 per year more than adults who have not finished high school (US Census Bureau). In comparison though, diploma holders earn significantly more than holders of GEDs.
Contemporarily, the value of online high school diplomas are academically similar to those obtained in conventional high school environments and, thus should be accepted as same by prospective employers, colleges and universities.
The variation and affordability of online high school graduation services can be tricky. However, looking for an online high school diploma program without knowing certain facts and pitfalls can waste time, money and resources.
Accreditation and state approval are of primary importance in determining the quality of a potential online high school programme.
Programs approved by organizations licensed by the USDE (US Department of Education) are the most legal choice. These are usually regional or national accreditation agencies.
Basically, a million options exist for you to get anything done. For a high school diploma, an online program is one great option. However, consider this before enrolling for any online school program.
In this read, we have detailed all you need to know about the High School Diploma Program and why you should consider taking the program.
We have taken the liberty to address some specific concerns you may have about the said diploma immediately below;
Are online high school diplomas legitimate?
With a plethora of options out there to complete your high school education, online courses are always better suited for busy parents or those who need versatility. The greatest fear students sometimes have, however, is whether or not the money and effort they put into online learning is going to pay off.
You don’t want to work hard to finish only to hear that your certificate wasn’t what colleges and employers want.
Before you sign up for an online high school program, you want to find out if the school you’re interested in is accredited and/or licensed.
Accreditation and licensing are two of the most critical items that a school can provide to render legitimate.
Accreditation is an acknowledgement from various bodies and organisations that the school follows or exceeds the professional requirements agreed by the association.
Authorizing means that the school you are attending is accredited by a licensing authority or commission to supply participants with courses and diplomas or degrees.
Do most colleges accept online high school diplomas?
Nearly every university and college recognize an accredited online high school diploma. Accreditation of an online high school is an indicator of the legitimacy of the school.
Usually, regionally accredited online high schools are more widely accepted than nationally accredited high schools. So, make sure you go to a regionally accredited online high school. Colleges and universities may not approve your diploma without regional accreditation.
They might feel that this is not legitimate. Some of them even require the student to take additional courses just to prove his or her credibility in a standardized test. Keep a safe distance from unrecognized online high school or diploma mills.
Do employers accept online high school diplomas?
A 2010 survey conducted by the Society for Human Resources Management found that while almost half of the answering HR professionals considered online degrees to be less attractive than traditional diplomas, more than 40% said they were suitable for entry-level positions.
GEDs and online diplomas can assist with the landing of unique jobs. For example, obtaining an online diploma in a specific field, such as information technology, could make it easier for you to get a job in that field than having a general bachelor of arts from a brick and mortar school.
Be prepared to protect the excellence of your degree by mastering the skills of your online school well enough to be recited to prospective employers. In an interview, you can download and make copies of the organization’s online degree and course descriptions to the potential employer.
What’s the best online high school diploma?
Accreditation and state recognition are of primary importance in assessing the standard of a prospective online high school programme. Programs approved by organizations licensed by the USDE (US Department of Education) are your most legitimate choice. These are typically regional or national accreditation agencies.
Regional accreditation is most commonly recognized when it comes to the transition of coursework or the pursuit of a college degree. If the school is not up front about its accreditation status or the accrediting organization is not recognised by the USDE, you may want to look elsewhere. Legitimate online high school services must also be licensed by the state. This means that they must be accepted in the State from which the diploma is given, irrespective of the State in which the student resides.
In order to assess the importance of an online high school program, you would want to consider the following: rate of successful completion of the program, ease of contact with school and teachers, accessibility and delivery of courses, counseling and tutoring services, individual programming, availability of specialization (engineering, religion, humanities, etc.), dual credit and extracurricular services.
This said, the best online high school diploma program can be obtained in the following accredited and licensed schools:
All You Need To Know About Online High School Diplomas
An Online High School Diploma may be your ticket for graduating high school as well as your springboard to a first-rate education. Having a high school diploma has significant advantages over passing the GED, or the General Education Development test, which is supposed to certify academic skills at the high school level, but sets the bar much lower than good high school education.
Furthermore, those with diplomas make considerably more than those with GEDs. For more about the advantages of a diploma over a GED
The variety and availability of online high school diploma programs can be both trying and frustrating. Diplomas from quality online high schools are academically equivalent to those earned in the traditional high school setting and should be recognized as such by potential employers and colleges and universities.
However, searching for an online high school diploma program without knowing certain facts and pitfalls can waste time, money, and energy.
In determining the quality of a potential online high school program, accreditation and state approval are of prime importance. Programs accredited through agencies recognized by the USDE (U.S. Department of Education) are your safest bet in terms of legitimacy. These are usually regional or national accrediting agencies.
Regional accreditation is the most accepted in terms of transferring coursework or pursuing a college degree. If a school isn’t upfront about their accreditation status or the accrediting agency isn’t recognized by the USDE, you may want to look elsewhere. Legitimate online high school programs must also be state-approved. This means they must be approved in the state from which the diploma will be issued, regardless of the state in which the student resides.
In determining the value of an online high school program, you will want to consider the following: rate of successful program completion, ease of communication with the school and with teachers, flexibility and delivery of classes, counseling and tutoring services, individualized programming, availability of specialization (engineering, religion, arts, etc.), dual credit offerings, and extracurricular activities or clubs.
The cost of an online high school education ranges anywhere from $0 – $10,000+ per year. This depends on the type of high school and whether government funding is available. All schools should provide an itemized list of costs and should explain how tuition is charged (by credits, by class, by semester, etc.).
Four Basic Types of Online High School Diploma Programs
There are four types of online high school diploma programs: private, public, charter and college/university-sponsored. Many parents of homeschool students turn to programs offered by private, accredited high schools for curriculum and assistance. Each program type has its place; it’s up to you to figure out which is right for you.
i. Public & Charter Online High School Diplomas:
Public and charter school programs are government-funded, are offered by particular states or districts, and are free to resident minors. They are usually accredited regionally and are state-approved. Online public schools have rigid guidelines, have limited course selections, and often cater only to certain resident populations. Charter schools offer more flexibility with either specialized or individualized programming, but they run the risk of losing funding and are viewed as less stable. They are also often not available to students outside of certain districts.
Each state’s department of education maintains a list of funded online programs, including charter schools. Because these programs are based on each state’s approved curriculum and are restricted to certain populations based on residency and age, it is meaningless to rank these programs.
SEE ALSO: 30 Best Online Schools for Graduate Degrees
ii. Private Online High School Diplomas:
Private online high schools vary greatly in terms of quality, recognition, and cost. This avenue demands the most research (which we’ve greatly assisted in) but also offers some top-notch education programs at great values. Private online high schools are usually offered nation-wide and have limited government oversight. They offer great programs in terms of catering to the needs of individual students, offering specialized interest programming, and meeting a variety of learning styles.
Homeschool graduates most often use private online high schools for the curriculum, even though they may receive their diplomas through their resident states. Many of these private schools have programs that cater specifically to the needs of homeschool students. The drawback of private schools: They can be very costly. Furthermore, even the most exciting programs need to be properly accredited for a valuable education.
iii. College & University Sponsored Online High School Diplomas
University-sponsored online high school diploma programs offer many programming advantages and often have regional accreditation. Most university-sponsored programs offer high-quality education, flexibility, and advanced and dual credit programs.
However, these programs often have more selective admission standards, have less interaction with instructors or services, and can be expensive.
University-sponsored programs tend to work best for students who can monitor their own progress and work independently. Motivated students may have the opportunity to complete a full year of college courses by the time they graduate from high school.
This can be a significant value for students planning to pursue college degrees. For the purpose of classifying high school diploma programs, programs offered by colleges and universities are usually not public, even if the institution is a public college or university.
The achievement of a high school diploma is a significant milestone. It’s also a prerequisite for many employers to recruit.
If you’re an adult who couldn’t attend traditional high school and now want a career or promotion diploma, or a conventional student who doesn’t feel like a daily schedule at a public school is right for you; there are so many online choices, especially the online high school diploma.
This certainly reiterates all we have laid down here earlier. I overemphasis still; “you have options, make the most of them!” Apply for the online diploma already.
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