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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

An equivalency diploma is also called a completion diploma

An equivalency diploma is what you receive when you take and pass the four sections of the GED Exam at a high school level.

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credit diploma

Twenty four credits are needed to attain a 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 unnessary 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
GED Student Handbook cover

GED Student Playbook

Self-Paced Students or Adult Ed Students
Access Handbook
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GED App: Coming soon!

Soon you can have an app for that!
Updates on the GED App
US skills map

U.S. Skills Map:

State and County Indicators of Adult Literacy and Numeracy
US Map
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Going Back to School as an Adult (FAQs)

Student Article posted on Penn Foster site
Food for Thought

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 40-minute orientation to schedule registration appointment. We will go over our different programs and student expectations.

Orientation Sign Up
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STEP THREE

REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT

Bring required paperwork, including proof of residency and HSE form (if applicable), start TABE testing.

· $75 registration fee due at time of appointment

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STEP FOUR

TABE ASSESSMENT

REQUIRED to establish entering levels in English, math, and reading.  Results determine placement options.

NEW: Attending a PL Class/Lab required prior to counseling appointment.

TABE Explained
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STEP FIVE

COUNSELOR APPOINTMENT

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

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STEP SIX

START CLASSES

REQUIRED only if needed: Fundamentals, Foundations, and Fast-Track Classes
OPTIONAL: Direct and Fast-Track