Career Plus FAQs
What is the Career Plus High School Diploma Program?
The Career Plus High School Diploma Program (CPH) lets you earn your high school diploma AND two Technical College Certificates (TCCs) at the same time — all without taking the GED® or HiSET® exam!
This program is open to Georgians who are 18 or older. It’s a great way to finish high school while also building real job skills that employers want.
Heads up: This is NOT a credit-recovery program. You can’t just make up old high school classes. You must complete both high school AND college-level courses to earn your diploma and certificates.
Am I eligible for the Career Plus Program?
You qualify if you:
- Left high school (withdrew) before graduating
- Are 18 years old or older
- Have lived in Georgia for at least 12 months
- Want to earn a college credential (like a technical certificate)
- Meet the minimum math and reading/language arts scores on an assessment
If you’re 18–20 years old, you must have 6 or fewer of the 9 required high school credits remaining
How long will it take to finish the program?
It depends on two things:
- How many high school credits you still need
- Which two technical certificate programs you choose
Most students finish in 12–24 months. The more credits you can transfer in, the faster you can finish!
What college certificate programs can I choose from?
You’ll pick two certificates from these career areas:
Business Sciences
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management
- Marketing Management
Computer Sciences
- PC Repair and Network Technician
Healthcare Science
- Certified Nurse Aide
- Medical Billing and Medical Front Office
Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing & Design
- Certified Construction Worker
- Landscape Installation Technician
- Welding
Public and Professional Services
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Interior Design
When can I sign up?
There are three enrollment windows each year:
- May–July → Fall Term (starts in August)
- October–December → Spring Term (starts in January)
- March–April → Summer Term (starts in May)
How do I apply or learn more?
Here’s how to get started:
- Fill out the Career Plus Interest Form to get invited to an info session
- Attend a free virtual/online information session
- Visit the Career Plus page
What documents do I need to apply?
You’ll need to bring or submit:
- A valid photo ID issued by a state or government agency (to prove you can legally live/work in the U.S.)
- Your Social Security number
- Official high school transcripts (optional — only if you want transfer credit for classes you already took)
How do I get my high school transcripts?
You have two easy options:
- Go to your old high school’s website and fill out a transcript request form
- Contact the Board of Education in the city or county where you went to school
Don’t worry if you can’t find them — transcripts are optional, and the program has all the courses you’ll need.
What high school credits do I need to earn?
You need to complete a total of 9 high school credits:
- 2 English credits
- 2 Math credits (Algebra and Geometry)
- 2 Social Studies credits
- 2 Science credits
- 1 Health / Personal Fitness credit
Can I transfer high school credits I already earned?
Yes! If you took high school classes before, submit your official transcripts and they’ll be reviewed for transfer credit. This can reduce how much you have left to complete.
What if I already have all 9 required credits?
Great news — if all 9 credits transfer, you can jump straight into your college courses right away!
Are the high school classes online?
Yes, all high school classes are 100% online. Here’s what makes them student-friendly:
- Most courses are designed to be completed in 8 weeks or less
- You can go at your own pace (self-paced learning)
- Adult Education teachers are available to help you
- You can take high school and college classes at the same time, or focus on one at a time — your choice!
Can I get help with my high school classes?
Absolutely! Career Plus instructors are there to support you. Help options include:
- One-on-one tutoring
- Small group tutoring sessions
Are any high school classes offered in person?
No — high school classes are online only. But remember, your instructors are still available to help you along the way!
Can I get just the diploma without the technical certificates?
No. To get any credential from this program, you must complete both:
- All required high school credits (for your diploma)
- Both Technical College Certificates (TCCs)
It’s a package deal — but that’s what makes it so valuable to employers!
How are college courses offered?
College courses are flexible and available in multiple formats:
- In person
- Hybrid (mix of in-person and online)
- Fully online
You can even take college and high school courses at the same time if you want to move faster.
How much does it cost?
High school courses are FREE — no tuition, no fees, and all textbooks are provided through the Blackboard online platform.
College courses do have costs (tuition, fees, and textbooks), but you may be able to reduce or eliminate those costs through:
- Scholarships
- HOPE Grants
Ask your advisor about financial aid options when you attend an information session.
I only went through 10th grade. Can my credits still transfer?
Yes! As long as your previously earned credits match any of the 9 required subjects (English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health/PE), they can count toward your diploma.
What if I don’t have any transcripts at all?
No problem! Transcripts are not required to enroll. The program includes all the high school courses you’ll need, so you can start from scratch if needed.
Which schools in Georgia offer Career Plus?
These 10 technical colleges currently offer the CPH Diploma Program:
- Atlanta Technical College
- Albany Technical College
- Athens Technical College
- Central Georgia Technical College
- Columbus Technical College
- Georgia Piedmont Technical College
- Gwinnett Technical College
- Savannah Technical College
- Southeastern Technical College
- Southern Crescent Technical College