Class Schedules and Catalog Background Image

Adult High School

Adult High School

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.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

Upon completion of this program, students will

  • 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

English *30
English Grammar 1
English Grammar 2 **
Basic Skills: Reading and Study Strategies
English 1
English 2
English 3
English 4 **
Natural Sciences (must include both life and physical sciences)20
Physical Science 1 - Chemistry
Physical Science 2 - Physics
Life Science 1A - Cell Biology
Life Science 2 - Human Anatomy and Physiology
Life Science 1B - Animal Biology
Physical Science 3 - Environmental Science
Life Science 3 - Introduction to Biotechnology
Mathematics *30
Basic Skills Math 1
Basic Skills Math 2
Basic Skills Math 3
Algebra Essentials 1
Algebra Essentials 2 ***
Social and Behavioral Sciences30
American Government
Economics
United States History 1
United States History 2
World History and Geography 1
World History and Geography 2
Humanities10
Introduction to Fine Arts 1 - The History and Development of Theatre and Dance
Introduction to Fine Arts 2 - The History and Development of Art and Music
Beginning Film and Digital Media Production
Introduction to Fine Arts 3 - The History of Film
Electives40
Students may earn elective credits in a variety of ways, not just by completing the following courses, and should work directly with a counselor to determine all eligible activities.
Applied Computer Skills
Applied Computer Skills
Sentence Crafting
English as a Second Language, Level 6
English as a Second Language, Level 7
Grammar for Non-Native Speakers of English
Advanced Grammar for Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English
Introduction to Academic Writing for Students from Multilingual Backgrounds
Introduction to College Composition for Students from Multilingual Backgrounds
Workplace English as a Second Language (Intermediate)
Bridge to College and Career ESL (Advanced)
Computers and Digital Literacy (CDL) for ESL Students (Intermediate/Advanced Level)
Total Credits Required:160
*

All HSENG and HSMTH courses may be repeated one time for credit.

**

Students must successfully complete HSENG 16 and HSENG 25 with a "C" or better, or the equivalent, to meet the English proficiency required for the high school diploma. 

***

Students must successfully earn 5 credits in HSMTH 21 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 that must include one noncredit mathematics course and two noncredit English courses.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement

Upon completion of this program, students will

  • obtain an awareness of, and preparation for, higher education.
  • acquire improved workplace skills for employability.
Core English Courses
Students are required to take at least one course from the following list of core English courses.
Basic Skills: Reading and Study Strategies
English 1
English 2
English 3
English 4
Core Math Courses
Students are required to take at least one course from the following list of core math courses.
Basic Skills Math 1
Basic Skills Math 2
Basic Skills Math 3
Algebra Essentials 1
Algebra Essentials 2
Elective Courses
Students are required to take at least one course from the following list of elective courses.
Applied Computer Skills
English Grammar 1
English Grammar 2
Introduction to Healthcare and Careers
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 Statement

  • Upon completion of this program, students will be able to earn a passing score on all components of a high school equivalency exam.
Core Preparation Courses
Students must earn a passing grade in at least one of the following courses:
Basic Skills: Reading and Study Strategies
The Single Paragraph
Basic Composition: The Five Paragraph Essay
Intermediate Composition: The Argument Essay
Advanced Composition: The Research Essay
Basic Skills Math 1
Basic Skills Math 2
Basic Skills Math 3
Algebra Essentials 1
Algebra Essentials 2
Applied Computer Skills
Capstone Course
Students must earn a passing grade in the following capstone course:
High School Equivalency Preparation
Total Courses Required:2

Courses

HSAGT 10: American Government

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Students are advised to take HSENG 25, HSUSH 11, and HSUSH 12 before taking this course and HSENG 40 before or concurrently with this course.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces students to the institutions of American government. Topics include the principles and moral values of American government, the rights and obligations of democratic citizens, the fundamental values and principles of civil society, the roles of the three branches of government, landmark Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution, elective offices, powers and procedures of government, and comparison of American government to other systems of government in the world today. This course satisfies the American government requirement for graduation.

HSECN 10: Economics

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Students are advised to take HSENG 25, HSUSH 11, HSUSH 12, HSWHG 11, and HSWHG 12 before taking this course and HSENG 40 before or concurrently with this course.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces students to the basic economic principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Topics include international economics, comparative economic systems, measurement, and methods. This course satisfies the economics requirement for graduation.

HSENG 15: English Grammar 1

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course provides a review of basic English grammar skills, such as parts of speech, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, and basic punctuation. This course is the first in a series of grammar courses that assist emerging writers with a precollegiate review of these skills. (May be repeated once.)

HSENG 16: English Grammar 2

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course provides a review of advanced English grammar skills, such as sentence structure, including fragments, run-ons, and misplaced modifiers, as well as other conventions of Standard American English. This course is the second in a series of grammar courses that assist emerging writers with a precollegiate review of these skills. Students are encouraged to take English Grammar 1 before enrolling in this course. (May be repeated once.)

HSENG 17: Basic Skills: Reading and Study Strategies

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: ALTERNATING TERMS

This course helps students improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary in various academic subjects. It emphasizes fundamental reading comprehension skills, general and academic vocabulary enhancement, study skills strategies, and principles of study reading. (May be repeated once.)

HSENG 21: English 1

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces basic academic reading and writing for students who require a review of basic English standards and practices. It focuses on the single-paragraph response in autobiographical and narrative writing assignments, topic-sentence development, vocabulary development, and basic oral presentations. (May be repeated once.)

HSENG 22: English 2

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces basic academic reading and writing for students who require a review of basic English standards and practices. It focuses on the single-paragraph response in autobiographical and narrative writing assignments, topic-sentence development, vocabulary development, and basic oral presentations. (May be repeated once.)

HSENG 23: English 3

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course develops intermediate academic reading and writing skills. It focuses on the argumentative essay on culturally relevant literature and topics, and it requires both in-class and at-home essay compositions, advanced MLA formatting for essays, intermediate vocabulary development, and oral presentations. (May be repeated once.)

HSENG 25: English 4

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course develops advanced academic reading and writing skills for students. It focuses on the research essay on contemporary literature and issues and requires both in-class and at-home essay compositions, advanced MLA formatting for essays, advanced vocabulary development, and an oral presentation.

HSIFA 11: Introduction to Fine Arts 1 - The History and Development of Theatre and Dance

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: ALTERNATING TERMS

This course introduces students to the history of theatre and dance from its prehistoric beginnings to the present, with an emphasis on the Renaissance through the twentieth century. Topics include a review of the prehistoric origins of dance, dance-drama, and theatre from countries all over the world. Students must complete Fine Arts I and Fine Arts II (or comparable courses) to fulfill the requirement for graduation. This course aligns with Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards.

HSIFA 12: Introduction to Fine Arts 2 - The History and Development of Art and Music

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: ALTERNATING TERMS

This course introduces students to the history of art and music from its prehistoric beginnings to the present. Topics include the prehistoric origins of art, architecture, and music of the late 19th through the mid-20th centuries and up to contemporary art and music. Students must complete Fine Arts I and Fine Arts II (or comparable courses) to fulfill the graduation requirement. This course aligns with Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards.

HSIFA 13: Beginning Film and Digital Media Production

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course offers a basic introduction to the video production environment. Students work with a team on a project through the pre-production, shooting, and post-production phases of narrative storytelling for the screen. Students critique professional and peer work while using appropriate film and video vocabulary. Students also learn basic operational skills for the video camera and editing system so that they can demonstrate their understanding of film techniques while creating video projects. Instruction covers film production, script writing, editing, and critical thinking. (May be repeated once.)

HSIFA 14: Introduction to Fine Arts 3 - The History of Film

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

In this history of film class, students view, study, discuss, and write about films from various genres and different time periods. They develop and demonstrate technological, cultural, and media literacy skills as well as critical thinking and problem solving skills that will serve them well in the real world.

HSMTH 11: Basic Skills Math 1

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

Basic Skills Math 1 is designed to meet the basic skills mathematics improvement needs of students for a variety of purposes: to meet pre-collegiate requirements; to meet mathematics unit requirements for an adult high school diploma; and/or to help prepare for examinations such as the GED. Topics include the study of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. (This course may be repeated once.)

HSMTH 12: Basic Skills Math 2

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

Basic Skills Math 2 is designed to meet the basic skills mathematics improvement needs of students for a variety of purposes: to meet pre-collegiate requirements; to meet mathematics unit requirements for an adult high school diploma; and/or to help prepare for examinations such as the GED. Topics include the study of percents, measurement, probability, and statistics. (This course may be repeated once.)

HSMTH 13: Basic Skills Math 3

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

Basic Skills Math 3 is designed to meet the basic skills mathematics improvement needs of students for a variety of purposes: to meet pre-collegiate requirements; to meet mathematics unit requirements for an adult high school diploma; and/or to help prepare for examinations such as the GED. Topics include the study of elementary algebra and geometry. (This course may be repeated once.)

HSMTH 20: Algebra Essentials 1

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: ALTERNATING TERMS

Algebra Essentials 1 is intended for students with little or no previous algebra experience. Topics include the real number system, operations with algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations in two variables, and solving systems of linear equations. (This course may be repeated once.)

HSMTH 21: Algebra Essentials 2

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: ALTERNATING TERMS

Algebra Essentials 2 is intended for students with some beginning algebra experience. Topics include exponents and polynomials, factoring, an introduction to quadratic equations, rational expressions and equations, and solving applied problems. (This course may be repeated once.)

HSSCI 11: Physical Science 1 - Chemistry

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This introductory chemistry class introduces students to the study of matter and changes in matter. Topics include states of matter, chemical and physical changes, the development of the atomic theory, the periodic table and its use, writing chemical formulas, balancing chemical equations, types of chemical reactions, and an introduction to organic chemistry.

HSSCI 12: Physical Science 2 - Physics

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This introductory physics course is non-algebra based and introduces students to the basic concepts of physics. Students learn to solve basic physics problems using metric measurements. Topics include motion, forces, forces in fluids, work, machines, energy, thermal energy, and heat.

HSSCI 21: Life Science 1A - Cell Biology

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This introductory biology course covers the basics of cell biology, including cellular organization, cellular transport systems, cellular metabolism, and the requirements for life. The course also introduces genetics, including the structure and functions of DNA, Mendelian genetics, probability, and cellular reproduction.

HSSCI 22: Life Science 2 - Human Anatomy and Physiology

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged

This course in human anatomy and physiology covers each of the eleven organ systems of the human body. It emphasizes learning the structures of each system along with their functions. The course also provides a more in-depth study of the physiology of cellular respiration, homeostasis, immunology, reproduction, and growth and development.

HSSCI 23: Life Science 1B - Animal Biology

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This introductory biology course covers the basics of animal biology. Topics include the scientific method, the characteristics of living things, evolution and evolutionary relationships among species, and fossils.

HSSCI 41: Physical Science 3 - Environmental Science

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This introductory environmental science course covers the basics on human population growth, natural resources, and ecosystem dynamics. Through the study of these topics, students develop an understanding of how interdependent life on Earth is and the cross-cutting relationships of the fields of science, such as chemistry, physics, and biology.

HSSCI 51: Life Science 3 - Introduction to Biotechnology

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This biotechnology science course introduces the use of living organisms in industrial, agricultural, medical, and other technological applications. Through the study of these topics, students obtain a comprehensive introduction to the scientific concepts and laboratory research techniques currently used in the field of biotechnology.

HSUSH 11: United States History 1

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Students are advised to have completed HSENG 23, HSWHG 11, and HSWHG 12 prior to taking this course.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces students to the major turning points in United States history from the nation's beginnings to the Great Depression with an emphasis on the twentieth century. Topics include a review of the nation's beginnings, the impact of the Enlightenment, industrialization, the impact of religion, World War I, the U.S. as a world power, the 1920s, and the Great Depression. Students must complete both HSUSH 11 and HSUSH 12 to fulfill the United States history requirement for graduation.

HSUSH 12: United States History 2

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Students are advised to have completed HSENG 23, HSUSH 11, HSWHG 11, and HSWHG 12 prior to taking this course.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces students to the major turning points in United States history from World War II to the present day with an emphasis on the twentieth century. Topics include World War II, post-World War II economic and social transformation, U.S. foreign policy since World War II, civil rights and voting rights, and major social and domestic policy issues in contemporary American society. Students must complete both HSUSH 11 and HSUSH 12 to fulfill the United States history requirement for graduation.

HSWFP 11: Applied Computer Skills

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

In this course, students develop essential computer and information technology skills for workplace and educational success. Students develop skills in using word processing software; access, evaluate, and utilize information resources using the Internet and Web browsers; and get experience with a learning management system. Previous experience using computers, or completion of NCVOC38 Computer Basics/Keyboarding class, is recommended.

HSWHG 11: World History and Geography 1

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Students are advised to have completed HSENG 22 and a basic computer literacy course prior to taking World History 1.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces students to world history, culture, and geography from the late eighteenth century to the conclusion of World War I. Topics include Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian roots of Western political ideas, Democratic Revolutions, Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, and World War I. Students must complete both HSWHG 11 and HSWHG 12 to fulfill the world history requirement for graduation.

HSWHG 12: World History and Geography 2

High School Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: Students are advised to have completed HSENG 22, HSWHG 11, and a basic computer literacy course prior to enrolling in this course.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces students to world history, culture, and geography from the conclusion of World War I through the present. Topics include Totalitarianism, World War II, international developments after World War II, and nation-building in the contemporary world. Students must complete both HSWHG 11 and HSWHG 12 to fulfill the world history requirement for graduation.

Campus Locations

MiraCosta Community Learning Center

1831 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92058
760.795.8710
888.201.8480
View Map

View Campus Map
MiraCosta Oceanside Campus Building

1 Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
760.757.2121
888.201.8480
View Map

View Campus Map
MiraCosta San Elijo Campus

3333 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff, CA 92007
760.944.4449
888.201.8480
View Map

View Campus Map
MiraCosta Technology Career Institute Building

2075 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.795.6820
888.201.8480
View Map

Visit Career Institute