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Non-Traditional High School Diploma Option Program

About the Non-Traditional High School Diploma Option (HSDO)

The Alabama Non-Traditional High School Diploma Option (HSDO) is an alternative to the GED high school equivalency, designed for students who have completed all of the required credits for graduation but failed the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE), or students who have dropped out of the traditional high school setting.

Option 1

For an adult who attended an Alabama high school and earned enough credits to graduate, but did not pass the high school graduation exam. To be eligible for this option:
  • Participant must have all 24 credits required to graduate from a traditional high school, or the number of credits established by the local school system that the participant last attended
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Did not pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam

Option 2

For an adult who earned 10 or more credits from an Alabama high school and requires additional credits for high school completion. To be eligible for this option:
  • Participants must have at least 10 credits of the 24 credits required to graduate from a traditional high school in Alabama
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Participants must assess on the TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education)

Required Form

Your high school must complete a transcript audit form. Please download the HSDO Transcript Audit Form Request and complete it, sign it, and take/send it to your high school.  Your high school will complete the Transcript Audit and send it directly to us.

Download HSDO Transcript Audit Form Request

FAQs

My last high school was out of state, can I still be a part of the HSDO program?
Your last school of record must be an Alabama public high school.
If I complete this program do I get a certificate or an actual diploma?

You will receive a diploma from your high school. Note: The date of graduation will be the year you complete the program.

How long will it take me to complete the program?
We don’t like to estimate your time in the program simply because every student is an individual.

How to Enroll

  • Attend two 3-hour enrollment sessions. Both sessions are required for entry into Adult Education classes. Attendance at both sessions is Mandatory prior to beginning class.
  • Orientation/Registrations held nearly every week on both campuses. Morning and evening registration sessions are available. Both campuses have the same schedule.
  • Orientation/Registration sessions are walk-in only. No pre-registration is required.
    • Choose the session times you want- morning or evening. You must attend both sessions in the same week and time slots. Download Enrollment Schedule
  • Have documents to show eligibility for Adult Education Programs. Bring these required documents to orientation. Physical/paper forms only are accepted. Digital copies are not accepted.

Eligibility

Any person who:

  • Is at least 18 years of age
  • Lives or works in Alabama
  • Attended last high school at an Alabama Public High School
  • Has earned minimum required High School credits as required by HSDO program rules
  • Will meet or has met with HSDO Coordinator
  • Is not presently enrolled in school
  • Has correct documents per State and Federal requirements
  • Has submitted High School Diploma Audit

What to Bring to the Enrollment Sessions

You will not be allowed to register without correct documents. Required Documents: Valid Photo ID, Proof of Alabama Residence (Lease, utility bill, bank statement, etc.), Social Security Card/ Tax ID Number, AND one or more of the documents listed below. Adult Education programs have been mandated by the US Department of Education to implement processes to verify the citizenship or legal status of ALL individuals being served.

The U.S. Department of Education acceptable forms of verification for establishing eligibility for federally funded Adult Education Programs are:

  • US Government issued photo identification cards
  • US Birth Certificates
  • US Passports
  • DHS issued immigration documentation – VISA, letters allowing entry into the US
    • VISAs NOT allowed for AE entry: B, F, J All Non-Immigrant visas except U – Victim of Criminal Activity, and T- Victim of Human Trafficking. For more information click here: Visa Categories from U.S. State Department
  • Certificate of US Citizenship or Naturalization
  • Alabama Voter Registration Card
  • Alabama Conceal Carry permit
  • ALL FEDERAL VERIFIED DOCUMENTS MUST BE VALID. ALL FEDERAL VERIFIED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED IN PAPER/PHYSICAL FORM. DOCUMENTS IN DIGITAL FORM WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Download Enrollment Schedule

For More Information, Contact:

Please call 256-890-4793 or 256-306-2536 for more information on upcoming enrollment sessions.

For more information on HSDO:

Jennifer Crawford

HSDO Coordinator

Nickolas Kaparos

HSDO Lead Teacher

Enrollment Session Locations

Decatur Campus

  • Building #9 – Testing Center & Adult Education Room 119
  • 6250 Hwy 31
    North Tanner, AL 35671

Huntsville-Research Park Site

  • Sparkman Building 1st Floor – Room 55, Enter at Door 10
  • 102 Wynn Dr., NW
    Huntsville, AL 35805