Adult Secondary Completion Options
Adult secondary educational options provide adults with various pathways to earn a high school credential. Programs for adult education are located in school divisions and funded through a combination of federal, state, and local funds. Adult program offerings vary in each region. Individuals interested in enrolling in an adult secondary program should contact their local school division or regional adult education office to inquire about available programs, and to determine which option will best meet their educational needs. In Virginia, there are five ways for adults to earn a high school credential. To compare all high school credential options, read Five Ways to Earn a High School Credential (Word).
Each adult high school completion option can be found in the Virginia Administrative Code 8VAC20-30-20, Minimum Requirements for Adult High School Programs.
Adult High School Diploma
An adult who is no longer enrolled in public education must complete the required coursework to earn an Adult High School Diploma, a credential approved by the Virginia Board of Education.
Requirements
To obtain this credential, the adult students must complete all of the course requirements that were in place at the time they entered the ninth grade, with the exception of health and physical education, as provided in the Virginia Administrative Code 8VAC20-30-20. Certain requirements for specific assessments may be waived if the assessments are no longer administered to students in Virginia public schools.
Issued by School Division
High School Equivalency Examination
Currently, the only Virginia Board-approved high school equivalency examination in Virginia is the GED test, developed to enable persons who have not graduated from high school to demonstrate the attainment of abilities normally associated with the completion of a high school program of study. Delivered in a computer-based format, the test consists of four content areas: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies. GED Testing Service is a joint venture of the American Council on Education and PearsonVUE.
The Code of Virginia (22.1-254.2), “Testing for high school equivalency; eligibility; guidelines” are unchanged since July 1, 2006. Applicants must meet all other eligibility guidelines of the HSE examination provider. For more information, see Superintendent’s Memo 010-17 (Word).
See High School Equivalency (HSE) Credential or GED Testing Service for information about GED Testing in Virginia.
Requirements
Successfully pass a Board-approved HSE examination; currently the only Board-approved HSE examination in Virginia is the GED test.
Issued by Virginia Department of Education
General Achievement Adult High School Diploma (GAAHSD)
The General Achievement Adult High School Diploma (GAAHSD) is intended to provide a diploma option for individuals who are not subject to the compulsory attendance requirements of §22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia.
Requirements for earning the GAAHSD, provided in Virginia Administrative Code 8VAC20-30-20, include prescribed standard units of credit; a passing score on a high school equivalency examination approved by the Virginia Board of Education; and the attainment of a Board-approved career and technical education credential, such as the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills Assessment. Standard credits required for the GAAHSD may be earned in a variety of educational settings, including public school; community college or other postsecondary institution; adult high school program; or approved correspondence, distance education, or online courses.
Read Specific Requirements for the Completion of the GAAHSD (Word) for more information on the requirements for earning the GAAHSD.
Requirements
- Earn 20 credits: Four in English; three in math; two in science; two in history and social sciences; nine electives, with at least two sequential in an area of concentration or specialization. These courses shall include content that incorporates or exceeds the content of courses approved by the Board to satisfy any of the Board-recognized diplomas.
- Achieve a passing score on a high school equivalency (HSE) examination approved by the Board; currently, the only Board-approved HSE examination in Virginia is the GED test.
- Successfully complete an education or training program designated by the Board; earn a Board-approved career and technical education credential such as the successful completion of an industry certification (e.g., National Career Readiness Certificate), a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills Assessment.
Issued by School Division
National External Diploma Program
The National External Diploma Program (NEDP), which leads to an adult high school diploma, is an applied performance assessment system that assesses the high school level skills of adults. Administered by Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS), the NEDP evaluates the reading, writing, math, and workforce readiness skills of participants in life and work contexts. The program is self-paced and flexible, and designed for self-directed adult students who are comfortable working independently. Participation in local and regional NEDP programs is available to adults who are 18 years of age and older who did not complete high school and are not enrolled in public education.
Go to NEDP for more information and a listing of NEDP program sites.
National External Diploma Program in Virginia Guidelines (Word)
Requirements
An adult high school diploma shall be awarded to an adult student who demonstrates through applied performance assessment full mastery of the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) Competencies as provided in Virginia Administrative Code 8VAC20-30-20 . The NEDP covers 70 Generalized Competencies in the areas of reading, writing, math, science, geography, history, financial literacy, health literacy, cultural literacy, civic literacy, and 21st century workplace skills.
Issued by School Division
Standard or Advanced Studies High School Diploma
This option, which leads to a traditional high school diploma, requires the successful completion of the course requirements for current high school students. This includes passing any required Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments to earn verified credits.
Requirements
Adult students who are enrolled in an Adult High School Program and complete all requirements of the diploma regulated by the Board of Education, with the exception of health and physical education requirements, in effect at the time they will graduate will be awarded a diploma as provided in Virginia Administrative Code 8VAC20-131-50.
Issued by School Division