As the United States is more frequently requiring rigid standards for high school diplomas, which often include passing a high school exit examination, some schools have opted to give students who fail to meet these requirements a certificate of completion instead. The certificate of completion does differ from the high school diploma in several ways. Instead of implying that you have met all standards for graduation, it implies that you completed four years of high school.

Some people, students, parents, and teachers alike, wonder how and if the certificate of completion may impact students who fail to graduate, especially as they seek out jobs or attempt to go to college. Typically, students planning to attend most junior or community colleges should not be adversely affected by only earning a certificate instead of a diploma. Community colleges offer plenty of remedial classes if a student has not quite mastered some of the high school level skills, and if the student does well at a community college, transferring to a four year university won’t hinge on whether the student earned a high school diploma.

The issue may get stickier if you are applying for a job that requires you to be a high school graduate. If you have only earned a certificate of completion, you might not qualify to be employed with various companies. Saying you have earned a diploma when you have not would be lying on a job application and could be cause for job termination if you are found out. It’s not the case that most employers will even verify your graduation status or ask to see a diploma, but it’s still more appropriate to be honest if you didn’t actually graduate.

If you have taken some community college courses, you may have met your graduation requirements. You also have opportunities to continue high school if you have not met requirements for a diploma. In competitive job markets, it may be best to continue to work on these requirements so you can earn your diploma. Alternately, you can take general education diploma (GED) exams, which are considered equivalent to the high school diploma. Some employers may be satisfied with your passing a high school proficiency examination, which can allow students early exit from high school.

Some students may not be able to complete high school requirements due to illness or disability that forces the school to modify grading practices or curricula. Students with IEPs or who have 504 status may find that though schools will allow them some accommodations, they must be judged exactly as their classmates are in grading practices, and they must complete the same amount of work. If they complete less work or are judged by different standards, they may not be eligible to earn a diploma, even if they pass a high school exit examination.

It is very important for both students and parents to understand this as soon as seventh grade begins. Significant modifications to classes means students may only qualify for a certificate of completion, may not be able to take part in high school graduation ceremonies, and may not be eligible for graduation. Sometimes, when students do need these modifications, they are still able to progress to good careers, college educations, and more. How much the certificate of completion as opposed to a diploma will matter largely depends upon career choice, degree to which future employees might care about the issue, and the extent to which a student wishes to pursue a college education.