Career Online High School (COHS) is an online high school diploma and career certification program available through the Pima County Public Library. This program offers free enrollment to a limited number of qualified adult students.

Adults (22 years of age and older) who have a Pima County Public Library card in good standing and who wish to earn their high school diploma are encouraged to apply. Minors are encouraged to pursue their high school education through existing high school programs.

Find out how to get a library card here.

Enrollment is limited and the demand is expected to be high. You must first pass an online self-assessment, which is reviewed by the Library. The Library will contact you when that review is done. Then, you must successfully complete and pass a prerequisite course within 2 weeks. After that, we will schedule an in-person interview with you. The Library evaluates everything, and then selects the students who will receive a scholarship to complete the program.

No. This is not a GED® program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through an accredited high school.

However, if you passed any of the four GED® subject areas at a Performance Level 2 or above (145+), you can request that your GED® transcripts be evaluated and applied toward your accredited high school diploma through Career Online High School.

To request your GED® transcripts, go to the GED website.

While both the GED and the high school diploma are important, there are several differences between them among the most significant is the fact that some colleges, institutions, and organizations require a high school diploma and may not accept the GED. In addition to providing a high school diploma, COHS gives students the benefit of earning a career certificate and completing additional job preparation documents and training.

Through COHS, students may earn a career certificate in the following areas:

• Certified Protection Officer
• Childcare and Education
• Commercial Driving
• Food and Hospitality
• General Career Preparation
• Home Care Professional
• Homeland Security
• Hospitality and Leisure
• Office Management
• Retail Customer Service

As a COHS student, you will be provided with the necessary tools to find a job, including help creating a resume and cover letter.

Yes. However, we do require one in-person interview which will be scheduled after successful completion of the pre-requisite course. The Library will schedule this with you.

Yes. At this time, all coursework is available in English only.

If awarded a scholarship, you will be given up to 18 months to complete the 18-credit program. If you have some high school credits already, you may transfer up to 14 credits from your former high school or from any successfully passed GED® subject area tests.

To receive credit from the GED®, you must have passed the GED® subject area at a Performance Level 2 or higher (145+).

Depending on how many credits you can transfer, the program can be completed in as few as six months. The average time to complete is 12 months.

No, it is not required. However, if you want to transfer credits into the program, you must provide one. If you don’t have access to your transcript, you will need to complete all 18 credits within 18 months. Only those who are selected for a scholarship need to worry about getting a high school transcript.

Career Online High School is accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, the national commission that confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) accreditation seals.

This means that the Smart Horizons Career Online Education district and all of its schools are accredited, and that Smart Horizons Career Online Education is recognized across the nation as a quality school system, delivering an AdvancED/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited online high school diploma.

AdvancED provides nationally recognized accreditation for school districts and individual schools and represents 34,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 70 countries worldwide, educating 20 million students. Learn more about the District Accreditation Process at www.advanc-ed.org.

Yes, all COHS instructors are state-certified. Most academic coaches and support instructors are located in Florida. Office hours are 8am to 5pm Central Time; however, coaches have evening hours twice a week.

COHS will reach out to all students at least once every two weeks – and more often for students in need.

Yes, we are committed to helping you meet your education and job needs. We have 27 locations, online tools, and drop-in help and classes available. Visit our website at www.library.pima.gov to see everything we offer.

First, complete an online self-assessment. The Library will review it and determine whether you are eligible for the program. You will be contacted by the Library to continue on to the next step of the process or discuss alternatives that fit your situation.

Our website has information about the program, including FAQs, and a link to get started.