Adult High School Diploma
Earn at least 10 total credits in the following subjects:
- Math (4 credits)
- English (3 credits)
- Civics (3 credits)
- Financial Literacy (0-1 credit)
Classes are only in person and on campus. They can be taken one or two at a time. CCD staff will review your educational records to determine what you already know and then give you credit for it. That way you can focus on learning only what you need to know, letting you get to the finish line even faster.
Want to learn more and see if it's the right fit? Register for a High School Diploma Webinar!
The Adult High School Diploma Program is meant to be flexible enough for working adults preparing for college or jobs. Classes are usually held during weekday evenings and weekends to fit busy schedules. Students can work at their own pace and choose the best way to learn.
CCD provides wraparound support and access to many resources proven to help students succeed.
What makes this program different from others?
The Adult High School Diploma Program can be considered a cost-effective option for anyone at least 18 years old who does not want to take and pass the GED or HiSET exams.
| Things To Expect | |
| Access to instructors | Instructors and tutors are available in class and online |
| Access to Excel Zone tutors | Yes, the Excel Zone tutors support all CCD students during its normal business hours |
| Class duration | 5- to 15-weeks of in person classroom instruction |
| Required subjects | Math, English, Civics, and Financial Literacy |
| Class days/times | Weekday evenings & weekend mornings & daytimes |
| Self-paced progress | Finish classes in as few as 5-weeks or they can take up to an entire year if needed |
| Examination | Math, English, and Civics assessments during onboarding |
| Student ID card | Campus wide access with a student ID card available to all CCD students |
| Student life participation | Access to student clubs, organizations, and activities/events |
| Commencement participation | All graduates and their guests are invited to participate in the annual commencement ceremony hosted every May |
| Total Program Cost | $50 fee at the time of first enrollment* |
*Students who do not finish the program after 1-year of actively taking classes must pay $50 again to continue studying.
When can you join the program?
You can start taking classes at different times throughout the year. Review the information below to figure out when might be best for you.
Important Deadlines & Dates
- Recruitment Deadline(s): You must finish the required onboarding steps by any of the following recruitment deadlines to move forward with the registration process.
- Fee Payment Deadline(s): You must pay the $50 fee by the below deadlines that are related to your preferred class start date. If the fee is not paid by the applicable deadline, then you will be dropped/removed from class and given the chance to try again by the next deadline.
- Classes Start: This is when classes officially start, and you are expected to come to campus for them on the days/time you chose during the registration process
Summer 2026 Semester
| Recruitment Deadline | Fee Payment Deadline | Classes Start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session #1 | May 4th >> | May 25th >> | May 26th |
| Session #2 | June 1st >> | June 26th >> | June 27th |
Fall 2026 Semester
| Recruitment Deadline | Fee Payment Deadlin | Classes Start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session #1 | July 27th >> | August 17th >> | August 18th |
| Session #2 | August 31st >> | September 21st >> | September 22nd |
| Session #3 | October 1st >> | October 26th >> | October 27th |
- Apply Online: You create an account and submit an application for the High School Diploma Program.
- Attend the High School Diploma Webinar: You sign up for and attend the online session to learn more about the program and the next steps. Staff can address your questions at the end of the presentation.
- Attend the Tech Ed Workshop: You sign up for and attend the event on campus. Expect hands-on training on how to access your online student accounts, class materials, and required onboarding tasks.
- Complete the New Student Onboarding Class: You finish assigned NorthStar tasks, pre-tests, and submit additional documentation for review.
- Enroll & Pay the Mandatory Fee: You submit an enrollment survey and then wait for a follow-up enrollment verification email, which also gives you instructions explaining how to pay the $50 fee.
Questions about the recruitment and onboarding process? We’d love to help! Please send them to: hsdiploma@ccd.edu
The High School Diploma Program follows the same academic calendar used by the wider college. That means there are specific timeframes (e.g., semesters) for students to take classes and specific dates that the school can award official credentials like diplomas, degrees, professional and technical certificates, etc. See the table below for those specific dates each semester. If you need proof of program completion sooner than the dates listed below, we recommend discussing your circumstances with our Intake Coordinator.
| Semester | Credential Award Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | May 16, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | August 8, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 | December 12, 2026 |
The full academic calendar set by the Office of Records and Registration (ORR) can be found here.
You work with an Intake Coordinator whose main role is to support you throughout the five step onboarding process. This staff member works with you until the point of class enrollment and then introduces you to your Academic Advisor.
You work with an Academic Advisor whose main role is to help you finish the program and earn your diploma. They help create your custom educational plan and help you navigate the many college resources made available. This staff member is your go-to point of contact after you enroll in classes.
You work with a dedicated Career Navigator whose main role is to help you figure out what comes next after you finish the program and earn your diploma. This staff member is typically introduced to you after completing your last class, but we encourage you to consider working with them as soon as you want.
The EXCEL! Zone provides free tutoring and other academic services to you and all CCD students. Located on the 4th floor of the Confluence building, you can come in person or schedule an online tutoring appointment.
Completing the High School Diploma Program requires you to earn 10 credits in the following four (4) subjects. You can take up to two classes at a time; however, everyone must earn credit in English before they can take Civics. Math can be taken at any time.
English (3 credits):
- Integrates and contextualizes college level reading and writing. Students can expect to learn how to develop short essays into longer ones as well as develop reading skills to be prepared for college level texts.
Civics (3 credits):
- This course covers civics and genocide standards required for high school graduation in Colorado, including civic participation, the structure and functions of federal government, the structures and functions of state and local governments, and the role of American foreign policy in responding to genocide.
Math (4 credits):
- Develops number sense and critical thinking strategies, introduces algebraic thinking, and connects mathematics to real world applications. Topics in the course include ratios, proportions, percents, measurement, linear relationships, properties of exponents, polynomials, factoring, and math learning strategies. This course prepares students for Math for Liberal Arts, Statistics, Integrated Math, and college level career math courses.
Financial Literacy (0 credits):
- Everyone encounters money in their everyday life. Build your knowledge and boost your confidence in banking, budgeting, credit, earning, insurance, investments, savings, and spending by completing the 8-module financial education microcredential.
- Within one year of graduation, you must also complete the SMART Borrowing – Your Guide to Federal Student Loans course. This online course has six short lessons to help you navigate the world of college financing.
Completing these two learning opportunities will give you a jump start on making the best financial decisions to reach your goals.
You can expect to be treated like a regular college student when you study at CCD, even if you start with the Adult High School Diploma Program. That means getting a unique student ID number, college-issued email address, optional student ID badge, and much more. Completing the program prepares you for college entry, and everyone gets support from a Career Navigator, so the admissions process is simplified.
Participating in the Adult High School Diploma Program requires you to pay a $50 enrollment fee after you register for your first class. Paying this fee covers one year of study from the time you start taking classes. If you haven’t finished the program one year after starting, and need more time, only then will you be asked to pay the $50 fee again.
You cannot use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to cover the cost of participating in the Adult High School Diploma Program. However, earning your diploma will unlock both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CAFSA). Both funding sources will require you to submit necessary documents by applicable deadline(s).