How Legitimate is an Online High School Diploma Program?

One of the main reasons students avoid pursuing an online high school diploma program is the fear that may not hold as much legitimacy as attending a traditional high school.

Many hold the belief that unless a diploma was obtained through traditional means, it is somehow inferior, or will be rejected by colleges or employers. However, provided certain criteria are met, there is little difference between a high school diploma obtained online versus from a traditional high school.

Giving potential students a clear picture of their options is vital in ensuring they make the decision that is best suited for them when it comes to completing their education. That is why we have put together this article to give you the information you need to know about the legitimacy of online high school diploma programs.

If you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact us, and we will do our best to answer any questions you might have.

In this article:

Is an online high school diploma legitimate?

How can one determine if an online high school diploma program is legitimate?

On the other hand… how can one determine if an online high school diploma program is not legitimate?

Do colleges and employers accept high school diplomas obtained online?

Will I still receive quality education through an online high school diploma program?

Earning a diploma online does not lessen its worth.

As long as certain conditions are met (see below), an online high school diploma can be just as valid as a traditional high school diploma. Both measure a student’s understanding of core curriculum, such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social sciences and acknowledge achievement of a set number of credits.

When it comes to the physical diploma itself, there is no difference in appearance between one obtained online and the other obtained in person. Your diploma will not specify if it was obtained through an online program, and you are not required to share that information either. 

Both provide equal value in the benefits they offer an individual: gaining an education, improving career prospects, and gaining a sense of confidence and accomplishment.

Many individuals may actually prefer to obtain their high school diploma online due to the unique benefits of distance learning. Some students do not perform well in a classroom setting or have grown accustomed to a homeschooled environment. For these individuals, the online process is arguably more suitable as it caters to a different set of learning needs.

If a school is accredited by a national or regional accrediting institution, then the high school diploma awarded holds strong validity. A recognized accrediting institution verifies whether a particular program and its curriculum are on par with regional and/or national academic standards and rigor.

A school with proper accreditation has proven it meets a certain benchmark, as determined by the accrediting institution, to deliver quality education, student experience, and appropriate assessment.

C4L Academy is accredited by Cognia, which you can learn more about here.

Students should also check with the Department of Education in their state to ensure the school is registered with them. You can view C4L Academy’s directory listing with the California Department of Education here. 

If you are struggling to find out if a particular school is accredited with a recognized accrediting agency, this could be a potential red flag and the high school diploma being offered may not be legitimate.

If an online high school claims you can obtain your diploma without completing any courses, quizzes, or exams, it is not legitimate. Please keep in mind that an online high school diploma program requires your effort the same way a traditional program would. Studying and test-taking are part of a quality educational experience, and are also how students earn the course credits needed for graduation.

Whether it be online or in person, obtaining a high school diploma takes time. Any school that promises otherwise is not offering you a legitimate path to success.

Keep your eye out for diploma mills. You may stumble across what appears to be a seemingly credible online high school, but in reality they produce illegitimate, falsified diplomas. Usually, diploma mills work closely with accreditation mills to convince the public about their authenticity.

An immediate red flag would be if a school allows students to simply buy a diploma outright. Some online schools proudly promote the idea of not having to pay to complete any classes, and instead letting students pay their way directly to the finish line. This process will ultimately leave students with an illegitimate or “fake” diploma.

Always remember that the value of your high school education is not just about the diploma you receive at the end, but the process of putting in the work and setting aside time to further your education.

If you aren’t careful, you could end up wasting your money on a scam that could have a very real impact on your ability to get into work, college, or the military.

Provided you obtained your online diploma from a valid, accredited provider, it is just as acceptable as a traditional diploma. In these situations, the vast majority of colleges and employers will accept your diploma, but we always recommend checking with those colleges or institutions to be sure.

It is important to have a valid online high school diploma that you can confidently put on your resume or potentially show to prospective employers. Obtaining your online diploma through legitimate means will give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you did in fact complete your high school education.

Distance learning can still provide quality educational delivery if you are motivated, determined, and willing to stay focused.

For C4L Academy, the goal is not just about handing students a high school diploma. It is also about providing relevant and quality education that is applicable to the needs of adult learners.

We often hear from our students about how much they appreciate our curriculum (such as our Adventures in Parenting or Financial Literacy courses) being relevant to their lives and applicable to everyday situations.

Some people believe that online education is not as effective since there may be little to no real-time interaction between the students and teachers, or because the learning environment is different. But for others, those are the very factors that have prevented them from completing their high school education in the first place.

If you are interested in reading more about the benefits of distance learning versus traditional classroom-based learning, we have another article on the topic here.

C4L Academy provides a fully accredited, 100% online, adult high school diploma program. When you have completed all graduation requirements, you will be a certified high school graduate.

Unsplash image credits (in order of appearance): Muhammad Rizwan

Sources cited in this article:

1) High School Diploma Scams - Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice