Adult Students - University of Wisconsin Higher Education Location Program

Adult Learner

GED/HSED

Approximately 10,000 of Wisconsin 's adults over the age of 25 will decide to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) this year. You can, too!

Obtaining your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or HSED can be a stepping stone to a career change or a salary increase, and it may open doors to other opportunities – even college.

There are two options for completing your high school education. You can take the General Educational Development (GED) test, or you can earn a Wisconsin High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) which is similar to the studies required for high school graduation. According to the Department of Public Instruction, the HSED is a minimum requirement for most jobs today. For all branches of the military and a growing number of employers, the GED certificate is not the same as a high school diploma or the HSED.

GED

You can take the GED tests, pass them, and receive a GED certificate. Or, better yet, you can go further by taking all of the GED tests and a health, citizenship, employability skills, and career-awareness program — or options explained below — and receive an HSED.

HSED

Earning Wisconsin 's HSED is similar to the studies required for high school graduation. Five options are available to earn the HSED.

Pass the GED tests, complete the health, citizenship, and employability skills requirement, and receive career-awareness counseling.

Earn any missing high school credits at a local high school or technical college.

Finish specified credits at a university or technical college, including instruction in any area of study you didn't cover in high school

Complete a foreign degree or diploma program.

Complete a program offered by a technical college or community-based group that has been approved by the state superintendent of public instruction as a high school completion program.

To earn the HSED in Wisconsin , you must meet certain requirements:

Age: You must have proof of age. You must be at least 18 years and six months old to take the GED tests, or the class with which you entered ninth grade must have graduated from high school. Under Wisconsin 's Compulsory School Attendance law, 17-year olds may be permitted to enroll in a program that leads to the HSED and begin taking the GED tests.

Class Status: You are required to attend school until the end of the school term, quarter or semester of the school year in which you become 18 years of age. If you are not 18 years and six months old, you may still take the test if the class with which you entered ninth grade has graduated from high school.

Residency: You must be a legal resident of Wisconsin . You may be asked to prove residency.

Application: At the time you choose one of the five options, you will need to complete a "preliminary application" form. See the site below for more info rmation.

And you need to pass all of the GED tests you take.

Applying for Admission to College

After you obtain your GED or HSED, you might consider applying for admission to college. Your application process is similar to any other applicant's. You will need to show that you completed your GED or HSED by having official test scores sent to the admission office. In addition, if you completed any formal high school education, you must have your high school send an official transcript.

For more info rmation about obtaining a GED or HSED, visit http://dpi.wi.gov/ged_hsed/gedhsed.html .