How to Earn a High School Diploma if You’re Short On Credits

Are you a few credits short of completing high school? Whether you are a current high school student who’s preparing for graduation, or you left high school early and want to earn your diploma, you have options for how to make up high school credits. As technological developments have changed how we access education, it has become easier than ever to take high school and college courses in any number of subjects.

If you left high school several credits shy of earning your diploma, any further paths such as college or advanced careers can feel unattainable. A high school diploma is the entry point to countless jobs, and it’s often seen as a marker of success. Whether or not that’s true, if you’re looking into how to get a high school diploma when you’re short on credits, you’re not alone. An estimated 1.2 million high school students drop out every year for a wide variety of reasons.

Whatever your reason at the time, you’re now in a position to set things right. There are many quality options for finishing your high school diploma or earning credits in the subject areas where you may not have taken courses or struggled in the past. No matter where you are in life, you can achieve your academic goals.

At first, the thought of going back to school might seem intimidating, especially if it’s been several years or longer since you were last in school. But don’t fret –– the reality is, anything is achievable, and you can get high school credits outside of school. Your educational options can start whenever you want, allowing you to progress at your own pace and providing room for you to maintain your life while you learn.

Follow These Steps to Earn Your Degree

No matter how many high school credits you need to earn your diploma, you can follow the same steps to figure out your needs and find the educational option that best suits your lifestyle.

Verify What’s Needed

High school graduation requirements vary by state, county, and even from school district to school district. Your first steps are to determine what requirements apply to your state to earn a high school diploma and figure out exactly how many courses you need to complete those requirements.

For example, Connecticut requires three years of math, while Georgia requires four. Some states are even more specific. Hawaii requires three total years, one of which must be algebra, the second geometry, and the third an elective subject. Most states carry an English, math, social studies, and science requirement. They also may have a foreign language, health, or electives requirement.

From there, you can look at your transcript to see which credits you may be missing. If you don’t have a transcript on hand, call the last school you attended. They likely have your record on file and can issue you a copy. From there, you can determine exactly how to get a high school diploma by identifying which courses you still need.

If you’re looking to earn your diploma online, there are different requirements to consider. Every online school varies, but they each have a set amount of credits you’ll need to earn a high school diploma. Typically, these schools will evaluate your transcripts and let you know what courses are remaining. However, it's important to find a school that’s accredited to ensure you receive a high-quality education.

Consult Your Options

Once you know which credits you need to earn your diploma, then it becomes a matter of figuring out how to make up missing credits in high school. Your local school district or state body might have weekend, evening, or summer school options for those looking to secure their last few credits.

If you’re looking for more flexibility and the ability to work at your own pace, you may prefer to make up high school credits online. These can provide accredited courses featuring experienced, highly capable teachers in many different subjects. Through these online schools, you can access your coursework from anywhere at any time, making them the perfect option for busy adults who need to earn a few extra credits. This allows you to truly immerse yourself in the content.

Start Building Up Your Study Habits

Once you’ve found the right learning environment to finish out your high school diploma, it’s up to you to get the work done. Students who are enrolled in online, flexible courses need to set strong study habits so they don’t fall behind in their classes and risk needing to take the courses again.

These habits are especially important if you haven’t been in school for a while, or if studying was a struggle in the past. As an adult, you have other responsibilities such as a job, family, and social life to fit in along with your educational advancement.

• Set aside time to study every day
• Work on important assignments first
• Minimize distractions
• Find study groups
• Ask questions to enhance understanding

It’s no easy feat to earn your high school diploma. Online schools require hard work and dedication — but if you’re ready to finish out your last few credits, they provide an excellent option.

Learn More About The American Academy

When it comes to discovering how to get a high school diploma, there are many high-quality, flexible educational choices available, no matter how long it’s been since you were last in school. Check out The American Academy’s accredited online high school diploma options, and see how they can contribute to the next phase of your educational path.

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