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2 Diploma Options

Credit Diploma or Equivalency Diploma: Which is right for you?

Below we explain the differences between the two diplomas, so that you can make the best choice for you.
two excellent choices

It takes a lot of courage to return to school!

People return to finish their high school education for a lot of reasons.  They may have promised themselves they would return, they want  a promotion at work, or maybe they just want to improve their lives and those of their family. 

In deciding where you want to start, you may want to answer some of the following questions. Do you have a lot of credits? Are you looking to finish fast? How much time and energy do you bring to the table? These are questions that can help you determine which path you will choose.

A picture of a test spelling GED
GED equivalency diploma

Equivalency/Completion Diploma

An equivalency diploma is what you receive when you take and pass the four sections of the GED Exam.

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credit diploma

24 Credit Diploma

Past education can count, but must meet current core requirements.

GED VS CREDIT CONSIDERATIONS

ALERT:
A student does not need to come to Adult Education to take the GED exam. Just set up an account at GED.com and take a GED Ready test that will show if you are ready to take the GED.  These ready tests are $6.99 each.  The have a ready test for each section of the GED (Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science).  You can even schedule a time to take the actual GED exam through this website.  Each section of the actual GED costs $36 to take for a total of $144. 
Pro List for GED

GED PROS

  • Can take less time to finish
  • No extra classes, less time at school
  • Exam covers 4 areas only 
  • 100% of public universities in Utah accept GED as high school diploma
Pro List for credit diploma

CREDIT PROS

  • Good option for those who do not test well
  • Weber Adult Education direct classes can be taken for credit
  • Best option if you come in with a lot of credit (18+)
Con list for GED

GED CONS

  • Exam is taken separately at testing center
  • Cost of exam is the student's responsibility
  • For military, scores must be 14-19 points higher than credit diploma holder
Con list for credit diploma

CREDIT CONS

  • Can take signifigantly longer to finish
  • More classes may need to be taken each session, meaning more hours at school
  • Attendance requirements in direct classes for credit
  • Previous classes may not count toward current requirements
Utah State Board of Education
24 Credit Requirements

REGISTRATION PROCESS

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STEP ONE

STOP

If you are 18 and under and your graduating class has not yet graduated, attendance requires an HSE form.

Understand your rights

HSE FORM (Sample)
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STEP TWO

REQUIRED ORIENTATION

Attend 15-minute orientation where we will go over our different programs and student expectations. If you decide to go with Weber Adult Education, you will pay $75 registration fee.

Start required TABE assessment in math and language.

Orientation Sign Up
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STEP THREE

TABE ASSESSMENT CONTINUED

Return to complete TABE reading assessment. Results in all assessment areas determine placement options.

Set up a counseling appointment.

TABE Explained
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STEP FOUR

COUNSELOR APPOINTMENT

At this meeting, student will go over placement options, student strengths, and credits.  

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STEP FIVE

START CLASSES

REQUIRED only if needed: Fundamentals and  Foundations math and/or English Classes.
OPTIONAL: Direct and Fast-Track Classes.