Adult Diploma Program
The Adult Diploma Program provides job training and an alternate pathway for adults, ages 18 or older, an Ohio resident, and withdrawn from school to earn an industry-recognized credential aligned to one of Ohio’s in-demand jobs (after passing the WorkKeys, course requirements, and assessments) AND awarded a state-issued high school diploma.
What makes this program different from a traditional high school setting is the delivery of instruction to adults. Instead of measuring academic achievement through clock hours, seat time or credits earned, the focus is on a competency-based approach that provides a self-paced option. Once competencies have been learned, adults then demonstrate mastery of skill. Each eligible adult works with the provider to create a customized student success plan.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is updating the “Workforce Readiness” score for the WorkKeys Assessments. Based on updates to the assessments and review of score alignments to job readiness, the Department will shift the required competency score to the Silver National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). This level equates to a minimum score of “4” on each of the three assessments: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
This score will be effective for the 2024-2025 school year for students utilizing WorkKeys as part of their pathway through high school graduation, and immediately for adult learners using WorkKeys to complete their Adult Diploma requirements. If a learner would like to use a previously obtained score on the assessments to apply to these new requirements, they may do so by reaching out to their relevant education partners.
For any questions about the score change, reach out to the Adult Options team at highschoolcontinuation@education.ohio.gov.
Adult Diploma Program Information
- Age: Open to adults 18+
- Diploma Type: State-issued High School Diploma awarded
- Availability: Available at approved educational institutions throughout the state.
- Testing: Students do not have to pass the OGT/Proficiency test; however, they are required to pass the ACT WorkKeys.
- Duration: Program duration depends on the length of the credential program.
- Requirements: No minimum number of High School credits required
- Best For... Best for adults seeking to enter in-demand job fields such as STNA, EMT, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, CDL, IT support services.
Supplemental Adult Tester Windows
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2024-2025 School Year
Adult testers only windows:
- Fall: Oct. 21–Nov. 15, 2024
- Winter: Feb. 3–28, 2025
- Adult testers can also test on any day during the following OST windows:
- Fall: Dec. 2, 2024–Jan. 17, 2025
- Spring:
- English language arts – March 24–April 25, 2025
- Mathematics, science, and social studies – March 31–May 9, 2025
- Summer: June 23–July 3, 2025
-
2025-2026 School Year
Adult testers only windows:
- Fall: Oct. 20–Nov 14, 2025
- Winter: Feb. 2–27, 2026
- Adult testers can also test any day during the following OST windows:
- Fall: Dec. 1, 2025–Jan. 16, 2026
- Spring:
- English language arts – March 23–April 24, 2026
- Mathematics, science, and social studies – March 30–May 8, 2026
- Summer: June 22–July 3, 2026
In-Demand Adult Diploma Careers
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
- Construction Technology
- Cosmetology
- Dental Assisting
- Electricians
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Fiber Optic Technician
- Firefighter
- Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC)
- Information Technology (IT)
- Logistics
- Machining
- Manicuring
- Manufacturing
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Office Technologies
- Phlebotomy
- Production Assistant
- Public Safety
- Robotics
- ServSafe/Hospitality
- State Tested Nurse Assistant (STNA)
- Tower Technician
- Welding
Last Modified: 4/23/2025 12:08:00 PM