South Carolina Workforce Diploma Program: Requirements and Opportunities

The South Carolina Workforce Diploma Program is designed to provide adults who have not completed high school with the opportunity to earn a fully accredited high school diploma and gain valuable skills for the workforce. This program addresses the significant number of adults in South Carolina without a high school diploma and aims to improve their job prospects and earning potential.

The Need for Workforce Diploma Programs

A substantial portion of adults over the age of 25 in South Carolina lack a high school diploma. This figure is higher than the national average, highlighting the critical need for accessible and effective adult education programs in the state. Adults without a high school diploma face significant disadvantages in the job market, as many well-paying jobs require this basic credential.

South Carolina Workforce Diploma Program Overview

The South Carolina Workforce Diploma Program, made possible through a partnership between Graduation Alliance and the state of South Carolina, offers a solution by providing a fast, flexible, and online path to graduation for South Carolina residents aged 22 or older. The program is funded by a state initiative operated by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, making it available to eligible individuals at no cost.

Key Features:

Accredited Diploma: Graduates receive a high school diploma fully accredited by Cognia, which is widely accepted by employers, colleges, and the military.
Online Learning: All classes are conducted online, allowing students to study from anywhere with internet access and a computer.
Career Certification: The program offers the opportunity to earn an in-demand career certificate alongside the high school diploma, enhancing students' resumes and job prospects.
Flexibility: The program is designed to be flexible, accommodating the schedules and needs of adult learners.

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify for the South Carolina Workforce Diploma Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a South Carolina resident.
Be at least 22 years old.
Have regular access to a computer and the internet.
Not have earned a GED or other high school credential.
Have completed some high school credits (typically completion of some 10th grade coursework may qualify).

Career Certification Options

The South Carolina Workforce Diploma Program offers a variety of industry-recognized credentials and stackable credentials to help students prepare for their careers. These certifications provide students with valuable knowledge and skills that are in demand by employers.

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Industry-Recognized Credentials:

OSHA 10: Training on safety and health hazards in various workplaces, including healthcare, construction, general industry, agriculture, and cosmetology.
CPR/AED Certification: Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use.
ServSafe Food Manager: Certification for food service professionals, covering food safety and management practices.
RISE Up Business of Retail (Certified Specialist): Certification focusing on merchandising, marketing, store operations, loss prevention, and workplace safety in the retail industry.
RISE Up Customer Service & Sales (Certified Specialist): Certification focusing on customer engagement strategies, assessing customer needs, and closing sales.
RISE Up Retail Industry Fundamentals (Specialist): Certification covering the fundamentals of customer service and math skills required for retail transactions.
Certified Pharmacy Technician: Training for managing inventory, processing prescriptions, and maintaining patient records in a pharmacy setting.
Medical Billing and Coding: Training for health information management, insurance claims, and payment adjudication.
CompTIA ITF+: Certification for individuals seeking a broad understanding of IT concepts.
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Certification for individuals seeking to demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Interplay Academy Job-Ready Certificate Programs: Certificates in building maintenance, appliance repair, HVAC, multi-family maintenance, electrical, plumbing, or construction.
ReadyCaregiver: Training for providing care in various settings.

Stackable Credentials:

Graphic Design: Coursework in graphic design principles and techniques.
Healthcare IT Support: Coursework in healthcare IT support and systems.
Healthcare Organizations: Coursework in the structure and function of healthcare organizations.
Hospitality Professional: Coursework in hospitality management and customer service.
Legal Assistant Preparation: Coursework in legal terminology and procedures.
Medical Emergency Newborn Health: Coursework in medical emergency response for newborns.

Benefits of Earning a Workforce Diploma

Earning a workforce diploma through the South Carolina program offers numerous benefits for individuals and the community:

Increased Earning Potential: High school graduates earn significantly more than those without a diploma.
Enhanced Career Opportunities: A high school diploma is often a minimum requirement for many jobs.
Personal Development and Confidence: Completing the program can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Community and Social Impact: Improving the educational attainment of adults contributes to a stronger workforce and a more prosperous community.

GED as an Alternative

The General Educational Development (GED) program serves as another pathway to obtaining a high school equivalency credential. The South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) have partnered to make the GED more accessible to residents. The "GED by 23" program allows South Carolina residents to pursue a GED or high school diploma while simultaneously participating in occupational training programs aligned with identified employment needs.

GED by 23 Program:

Allows residents to join a career pathway through the technical college system while working towards a GED or high school diploma.
SCTCS colleges collaborate with local adult education programs to address workforce preparedness gaps.
Eligible residents can enroll in non-degree occupational training at their local technical college with tuition and fees covered upon completing a secondary diploma or two portions of the GED.

South Carolina High School Credential for Students with Disabilities

South Carolina also offers an alternative credential for students with disabilities who may not be able to attain a traditional high school diploma. According to S.C. Code Ann. Section 59-39-100 and State Board of Education Reg. 43-235, students with disabilities entering grade nine can pursue a uniform diploma through personalized pathways or attain a state-recognized SC High School Credential. This credential is designed for students whose IEP teams determine that mastery of a career-based educational program, including academics, independent work experience, daily living skills, and self-determination skill competencies, is the most appropriate way to demonstrate their skills and receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Key Considerations for the SC High School Credential:

The IEP team must determine if the student's expected high school outcome will be to attain a state high school diploma or the SC High School Credential, beginning no earlier than the end of the student's eighth-grade year.
The decision to pursue the SC High School Credential must be based on data, including longitudinal information of student grades, standardized achievement assessments, informal and formal transition assessments, adaptive behavior assessments, and work readiness assessments.
The LEA or SOP must explain and provide annual written notice to the parent, guardian, or adult student that the SC High School Credential is not a state high school diploma.
The decision to accept the South Carolina High School Credential does not relieve the LEA or SOP from providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to the student until age 21.

Minimal Course Requirements for the SC High School Credential:

Essentials of Phys.
Employability Ed.
Relevant Transition Assessments (e.g.

The IEP team must review and discuss multiple sources of information, with the first option to consider for all students being a regular high school diploma. This includes:

Description of any modifications or accommodations to the general curriculum or typical instruction and progress data, and the rate at which the student currently progresses through the general curriculum.
Opportunity for the student to be served though universal supports (academics and behavior) in the core curriculum that is provided for all students, and being the recipient of additional or intensified supports as indicated by their data and reflected on the IEP.

A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) presumes the participation of every student, including those with disabilities, in the core curriculum, which includes small and large group instruction.

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Graduation Alliance's Commitment

Graduation Alliance is committed to providing a supportive and empathetic learning environment for all students. Their workforce diploma programs offer a second chance at high school and provide hope for a better future. With experienced teachers, flexible online courses, and career certification options, Graduation Alliance helps students gain the education and skills they need to succeed in the workforce.

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