Career Online High School

Have you always wanted to earn your high school diploma?
Do traditional school classes not work with your schedule?
Now you have the chance to earn your high school diploma plus a career certificate for free!

Earn Your Diploma

San José Public Library’s Career Online High School (COHS) offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate. You can advance in your career or pursue higher education once you graduate. The Library supports you from enrollment to graduation so that you can achieve your goals.

Must complete 36 semesters (see Graduation Requirements).
Must complete program in 18 months or less.
May transfer previous credits from accredited high school courses, which can shorten completion time. This is optional.
Earn both your high school diploma and a career certificate in one of ten high-growth fields.
Courses are taught 100% online, and are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Students are paired with an academic coach.
The Library is offering a limited number of free scholarships to qualified adults. Learn more about the program, process, and courses.

Applicant Requirements

Be age 19 or older
Live in San José
Have completed the 8th grade
Have a San José Public Library card in good standing
Be willing to spend at least 10 hours a week on coursework
Be comfortable reading, writing, and speaking in English
Be comfortable using technology
Be comfortable learning independently

How to Get Started

Take the online survey to see if Career Online High School is a good match for you.
Complete a phone screening with a staff member.
Prospective students will then enroll in a one-semester prerequisite career course.
Once you complete the prerequisite course, a staff member will contact you to schedule an in-person interview at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library .
Attend a online group orientation to learn skills for success.
Complete probation period in 30 days to keep your scholarship.
After probation, students must complete two semesters every month until graduation.

For more information, contact cohs@sjlibrary.org.

Career Online High School is made possible with the support of the California State Library and the San José Public Library Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Graduations are held once a year in-person in August.

Related Page: Career Online High School
A high school diploma means you took and passed all the required classes in a high school setting.

The GED credential is a high school equivalency diploma. It shows you passed four high school equivalency tests, demonstrating you have the same knowledge as a traditional high school graduate.

Related Page: Career Online High School
No. Career Online High School is not a GED program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through this accredited online high school.

Related Page: Career Online High School
Career Online High School (COHS) provides you with all the coursework you need to qualify for a child care certification. You will need to find a local agency in San José to fulfill the hands-on training hours required.

Related Page: Career Online High School
Yes. Students who complete the prerequisite course and pass the interview will be placed on a waiting list for a scholarship. We wait until there is a large enough group to form a cohort. They will complete homework assignments and attend a virtual orientation. More scholarships may be available if space is available.

Related Page: Career Online High School