The Difference Between a High School
Diploma and a High School Certificate
Although laws vary by state, there are usually two ways someone can get credit for completing
high school. One option is to receive a high school diploma. The other is to get a certificate.
Certificates can have different names depending on your state. Certificate of Completion and
Certificate of Attendance are common ones. And some states offer more than one type of
certificate.
You may also hear about alternate diplomas, which states are allowed to offer under the Every
Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). But this diploma is intended for the 1 percent of children who
have serious learning challenges.
It’s important to know that certificates and high school diplomas are very different from each
other. Each can impact your child’s future in different ways. The table below compares them.
A student has met all the
requirements for graduation.
A student has completed high school,
but didn’t meet all the requirements for
graduation.
What are the
graduation
requirements
To earn a diploma, a student
typically must pass grade-level
English, math, social studies,
science and other classes. The
number and type of class credits
required vary by state.
Some states also require a student to
pass a high school exit exam to get
a diploma.
It depends on the state and school.
Unlike a diploma, the requirements are
often flexible and can be tied to a
student’s IEP goals.
Curriculum
modifications
allowed
Maybe. By changing what she
learns, modifications can hurt a
student’s ability to earn a high
school diploma.
Maybe. It depends on the college.
Eligible for federal
student aid for
college
Maybe. It depends on the employer and
the job qualifications.