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Earn Your High School Diploma

  You didn't finish high school? Life happens!

NOW is the perfect time to complete your high school diploma and get your GED or HSED in just a few weeks with our virtual or in person instructional opportunities. We can help you figure out where you are and what you need to finish. To get started with these FREE adult education classes, complete the form below or call 715-833-6400 to discuss your personalized options.

 

GED vs HSED– What's the Difference?

The good news is, most colleges and employers accept both!

General Educational Development (GED)

​The GED is a certificate awarded for successfully completing tests in the following high school academic areas:

  • Reasoning through Language Arts
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Civics
  • Mathematical Reasoning

Age - You must be at least 18 years and six months old.

Class Status​ - You are required to attend school until the end of the school term, quarter or semester of the school year in which you become 18 years of age. If you are not 18 years and six months old, you may still take the test if the class with whom you entered ninth grade has graduated from high school.

Residency - You must be a legal resident of Wisconsin; you may be asked to prove residency. ​

​High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED)

There are many variations of HSED, and different completion options can be used for the HSED certificate such as:

  • Completed high school credits
  • Passing an official GED assessment
  • Passing a GED Ready assessment
  • Complete a health and employability skills requirement
  • SAT (16-18- varies depending on course)
  • ACT (English score 18, reading score 19)

Fast Track GED Program

If you have a desire to open new opportunities for your career and your life but not having a high school diploma is holding you back, CVTC is here to help. For adults ready to unlock the possibilities a high school credential offers, CVTC's free Fast Track GED program and our friendly, knowledgeable instructors are the best way to earn your GED or HSED in two weeks or less. Millions of people like you have earned their diplomas and gone on to college or more fulfilling jobs. You can be one of them.

This no-cost program runs Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and uses a customized combination of previously earned high school credits, low-pressure practice tests, and other past work to meet the requirements. It is self-paced, so you can finish in as little as a few days or take the whole two weeks to complete, whatever works best for you.

Our instructors and support staff will answer your questions, so you are comfortable with the process and confident with the content. They will also be with you to celebrate when you graduate from the program, achieve your goal, and start your new journey as a role model to everyone around you. Your seat is waiting; take the first step today!

* Students must be at least 18.5 years old OR have had their high school class already graduate to participate.

Services/Support Include

  • Face-to-face instruction from expert teachers
  • Career counseling to help students identify their next steps
  • Testing and credential fees paid by CVTC Foundation
  • Scholarships available for students who continue into a CVTC program

Program Availability

  • Two weeks in October, April, and July in Eau Claire (Business Education Center)
  • Two weeks in June in Chippewa Falls and River Falls
  • Other locations periodically scheduled

​Get Help to Complete GED/HSED Requirements

You can work one on one with an instructor to complete all GED and HSED requirements. Our faculty and staff will work with you to determine your strengths and areas for improvement. We’ll help you succeed by learning in a way that best suits your needs.

GED/HSED Orientation/Welcome Session (in-person or online)

The State of Wisconsin requires all GED/HSED students to complete an orientation. Please call or email to schedule your orientation/welcome session. We offer in-person or virtual options for your convenience. View the latest class schedule.

Steps to Complete your GED/HSED

  1. Obtain your high school transcript (contact the last high school you attended)

  2. Attend Orientation/Welcome Session

    At the Orientation/Welcome session you will:

    • Submit your high school transcript
    • Complete required paperwork
    • Create accounts (CVTC accounts/email and GED Portal)
    • Receive general information, resources, and technology
    • Complete a career assessment and activity
    • Develop a Personal Education Plan
    • Complete Your TABE Assessment

  3. Begin Preparing for Your GED/HSED
    Within the first week of completing your orientation/welcome session, an instructor will contact you to review your high school transcript and develop a plan to complete your GED/HSED requirements.

Learning Center Locations

Online and in-person instructional opportunities are available at the following CVTC locations:

​Eau Claire
620 W. Clairemont Avenue
715-833-6400
BEC Room 111

Chippewa Falls
770 Scheidler Road
715-738-3845
Room 102

Menomonie
403 Technology Drive East
715-233-5345
Room 103

River Falls
500 S. Wasson Lane
715-426-8208
Room 100

Neillsville
11 Tiff Avenue
715-743-3965
Room 102

Questions?

Contact us for more information. adultedservices@cvtc.edu or 715-833-6400

High School Contract

The High School Contract program is an agreement between CVTC and your high school that allows you to earn your HSED at CVTC in lieu of attending high school. If you are a current high school student that is at least 17 years of age and are at-risk of not graduating from high school, the CVTC High School Contract program may be an option for you.

// Learn more about the High School Contract program

Earn your HSED while enrolled in a program!

CVTC offers an Ability to Benefit program which allows students to earn both a college credential and HSED at the same time. Explore this program.

Get in Touch

Ready to start earning your high school diploma?

Send us an email or give us a call at 715-833-6400 to discuss your options, schedule a 1:1 meeting, and answer all your questions.

Request More Information

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