Noncredit Adult High School

MiraCosta College provides classes for adults who wish to obtain their high school diplomas. Some classes are also appropriate for individuals who wish to increase skills in preparation for college coursework, employment or advancement in the workplace, or personal growth. Classes are held at the Community Learning Center at 1831 Mission Avenue in Oceanside and are open to adults 18 years of age or older. Individuals who are under 18 years of age who can benefit from instruction may be allowed to enroll.

Any student enrolled in a day high school (regular or continuation) must meet the following criteria in order to take classes in MiraCosta's Adult High School: they must be either graduated from the 8th grade or at least 15 years old. Day high school students must also present a Concurrent Enrollment Permit signed by their day high school principal, counselor, and parent. An individual under the age of 18 who is not currently enrolled in a day high school (regular or continuation) may be allowed to enroll with a Minor's Permit signed by a parent or guardian.

The Concurrent Enrollment Permit and Minor's Permit are available at high school counseling offices, the Oceanside and San Elijo Admissions and Records Offices, and the Community Learning Center as well as online at Adult High School.

Note: Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Accreditation

The MiraCosta College Adult High School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Address: 533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200, Burlingame, CA. Phone: 650.696.1060.

Tuition

Courses offered in this program are provided tuition-free.

Hours Per Class/Credits Earned

Each adult high school course includes 48-to-54 in-class instructional hours plus 48-to-54 outside-of-class hours of laboratory or study time. Students receive five high school credits for each successfully completed class.

Adult High School Terms

Classes are offered in different formats and at a variety of times in order to meet students' varying needs. The regular school year has four 8-week terms plus a 6-week summer intersession.

Counseling and Evaluation

Counselors evaluate a student's standing upon their admission to the Adult High School, and they help the student plan a program to meet graduation requirements (see Sources of Credit below). Counselors are available throughout each term to assist students with Adult High School, college, and career planning as well as with job searches.

Sources of Credit

Credit from the following sources may be applied toward the Adult High School diploma:

• Successful completion of MiraCosta College adult high school, specified noncredit, or specified credit courses.
• Transfer credit from other accredited secondary schools, colleges, and universities.
• High school correspondence courses from accredited institutions.
  • Students interested in earning credit toward specific graduation requirements for coursework, certificates, or exams completed outside the institution may submit a Continuing Education Petition for Course Substitution. 
• Work achievement or service with educational value. Elective credits may be granted on the basis of verified work experience or military service resulting in knowledge or skills comparable to those acquired in a secondary school class. The granting of such credit requires submission of an Adult High School Diploma Application for Service. Elective credit determinations will be based on the following:
  • Employment - Credit will be granted on the basis of full-time or part-time employment and length of employment. A maximum of 40 elective credits may be granted: 5 credits for every 6 months of full-time work or 2.5 credits for every 6 months of part-time work. No credit will be granted for work achievement in excess of 12 months or 10 credits if there is no change in the type of work performed. Exceptions may be made if the type of work is progressively more difficult, justifying consideration for credits beyond the initial 10.
    • A person must be employed for at least one year with the same firm before work achievement may be considered for credit, and they must spend at least 6 months at each type of work for which credit is requested. For example, if a person were employed by the same firm as a machinist for 9 months and a draftsperson for 5 months, they would be eligible to apply for five work achievement elective credits as a machinist, but they would not be eligible to receive credit for the work as a draftsperson.
• Vocational experience. Credit may be granted only for vocational experience in which wages or salary was received. A person who is self-employed and thereby earning a livelihood may be regarded as employed with pay. Five elective credits may be granted for 48 hours of vocational training. A certificate of completion stating the number of course hours must be submitted.
• Military service. Credit may be granted for training completed during military service. (Note: A veteran or service person may be granted credit for courses completed in service schools or for ratings earned while in service as recommended in "A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services" issued by the American Council on Education.)

The granting of credits does not constitute satisfaction of any of the competency requirements. In addition, no more than 40 elective credits will be granted for work achievement and/or military training or ratings.

Demonstration of Competency

Students must demonstrate competency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Competency may be demonstrated by completion of 30 English credits and completion of 20 math credits, including at least 5 credits in algebra.

Attendance and Participation

Students are required to maintain regular attendance and participation in all courses. Excessive absences or lack of participation may result in the student being dropped from the class(es).

Course Repetition

Credit may not be earned through repetition of a course for which credit has previously been granted unless specifically stated in the course description. (Note: All HSENG and HSMTH courses may be repeated one time each for credit.)

Residency Requirement

Students must successfully complete 20 credits in residence at MiraCosta College. Students may earn residency by completing 20 credits in adult high school coursework, 20 credits in approved noncredit courses, 6 college semester units at MiraCosta College, or any combination of credit and noncredit courses that is the equivalent of 20 high school credits.

Diploma Conferred

Diplomas are conferred at the end of a term or session and upon verified completion of all diploma requirements.

Contact Information

https://www.miracosta.edu/academics/continuing-education/adult-high-school/index.html

Department: Adult High School Office: Community Learning Center, 1831 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058, 760.795.8710

Adult High School Diploma

MiraCosta College's Adult High School prepares adults for higher education and increased employability in a supportive, challenging, and accessible environment that respects and honors diversity. Upon entrance into the program, each student's previous coursework, skill levels, and academic and/or professional goals are determined in order to provide an individualized plan for goal attainment. Students must earn a total of 160 credits, with at least 20 credits in residence at MiraCosta College. Students may earn residency by completing four adult high school courses, or six college credits at MiraCosta College, or any combination of credit and noncredit courses that is the equivalent of 20 high school credits.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:

• Obtain an awareness of, and preparation for, higher education.
• Acquire improved workplace skills for employability.
• Demonstrate improved self-efficacy.
• Model a sensitivity, to and awareness of, diverse perspectives.

Diploma Requirements

Natural Sciences (20 Credits)		20
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Students must successfully complete courses in both Life and Physical sciences.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 Credits)		30
Humanities (10 Credits)		10
English (30 Credits)*		30
1. The California Ed Code requires students to demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing through the completion of coursework at a level generally accepted as appropriate for award of a high school diploma.
2. Students may demonstrate reading and writing proficiency through the successful completion of a local English course(s); an equivalent graduation-level English course from another high school; or a college-level English course.
Mathematics (20 Credits) **		20
1. The California Ed Code requires students to demonstrate proficiency in the operations of mathematics as well as its practical applications through the completion of coursework at a level generally accepted as appropriate for award of a high school diploma.
2. Students may demonstrate mathematics proficiency through the successful completion of local math course(s); an equivalent graduation-level math course from another high school; or a college-level math course.
Electives (50 Credits)		50
1. Students may also earn elective credits for successful completion of other noncredit, high school or college-level courses not already used to satisfy discipline-specific credit requirements for our diploma. Students untested in this option should work directly with a noncredit counselor to determine eligible courses and credits.
2. Other validated high school or college-level skills and knowledge gained outside the classroom may also be eligible as determined through the Noncredit Credit for Prior Learning Process. Students interested in this option should work directly with a noncredit counselor or Admissions & Records staff member.
Total Hours		160

*

All HSENG courses may be repeated one time for credit.

**

All HSMTH courses may be repeated one time for credit. Students must successfully earn 5 credits in algebra or the equivalent to meet the mathematics proficiency required for the high school diploma. 

Certificates

Certificate of Competency

Basic Education for Academic or Workforce Preparation

This certificate is designed to help students review foundation skills in reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics. It demonstrates achievement in a set of proficiencies that help students prepare for their next educational or career-related goal. Students earn this certificate by successfully completing a combination of three non-credit courses.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:

• Obtain an awareness of, and preparation for, higher education.
• Acquire improved workplace skills for employability.

English Courses
Students are required to take at least one of the following English courses.
Academic Preparation
Career Preparation
Math Courses
Students are required to take at least one of the following math courses.
Elective Courses
Students are required to take at least one of the following elective courses.
Total Courses Required:		3

Certificate of Competency

High School Equivalency Preparation

This certificate is for students who have completed coursework in preparation for a high school equivalency exam. In addition to the exam prep course, students will have successfully completed subject-specific courses that provide a more comprehensive review of the English, math, or computer skills needed for academic, professional, and/or personal success. 

Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to earn a passing score on all components of a high school equivalency exam.

Required courses:
Students must earn a "P" or passing grade in the following course:
Electives:
Reading Preparation
Writing Preparation
Mathematics Preparation
Total Courses Required:		2

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage.