Get Your GED or High School Diploma Online

By Jane Smallman
jane.smallman@careerschoolguide.com
Career School Guide Columnist

If you missed out on a high school diploma and are facing limited career and earning opportunities as a result, don’t despair. Now you can earn the diploma—or its equivalent, the General Educational Development (GED) certificate—online!

Why Bother With the GED Test or High School Diploma?

In a nutshell, a high school diploma or GED certificate brings better earning opportunities and career prospects.

• Earning Potential. Your earning potential should be improved by around $10,000; U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that average earnings for high school graduates are $28,645, compared to just $19,169 for those with no diploma.
• Career Prospects. Both these qualifications will expand your career options, giving you more choice over the kind of work you do and the progress you make. They also open the door to further education. You can improve your prospects even further by learning more advanced skills or even another degree.

GED Test or High School Diploma?

The GED test and the high school diploma are basically equivalent to each other, although they have different origins and different exam systems.

• The GED was introduced to help WWII veterans qualify for postsecondary education without having to return to high school. It involves five different exams that test your skills in math, writing, reading, social studies, and science.
• The High School Diploma requires you to complete a core high school curriculum and all the coursework it involves.

Over 95% of U.S. colleges and universities now accept GED holders as students, so you can decide between the two qualifications based on your existing high school credits, your future plans, and personal preference. Both the GED test preparation course and the high school diploma can be earned online.

Why Study For Your GED or High School Diploma Online?

Studying for your GED or high school diploma online means you don’t need to give up your job or your family commitments to do it. This flexibility, combined with affordability, means that even though you didn’t finish high school first time around, you can invest in your future by graduating or earning the GED equivalent now.

Sources:

Center On Education And Training For Employment
Penn Foster Career School
US Census Bureau

About the Author

Jane Smallman spends her time freelance writing and running a mountain guide business with her husband. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Social Sciences.