Career Online High School FAQs
What is Career Online High School (COHS)?
Career Online High School (COHS) is an online high school diploma and career certification program available through Bemis Public Library. This program offers FREE enrollment to a limited number of qualified adult students.
Who can apply to COHS?
Adult residents living within the city limits of Littleton, who are at least 19 years old, have successfully completed 8th grade and wish to earn their high school diploma.
Program applicants must have a library card or be willing to apply for a library card.
Will COHS students receive a high school equivalency (GED/HiSET/TASC) credential?
No. This is not an HSE (High School Equivalency) program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through an accredited high school.
What is the difference between an HSE (GED/HiSET/TASC) credential and a high school diploma?
While both the HSE credentials and the high school diploma are important, there are several differences between them. Some colleges, institutions, and organizations require a high school diploma and may not accept an HSE credential. 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.
What type of career certification will be offered?
Through COHS, students may earn a certificate in the following areas:
Is all coursework web-based?
Yes.
Is all coursework in English?
Yes. All coursework is available in English only.
How long will it take for students to complete the program?
Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program, which will consist of 18 credits. Students accepted into the program may transfer up to 14 credits from their former high school. Depending on how many credits the student is able to transfer, the program can be completed in as few as five months. The average time to complete is 12 months.
What is the history of COHS?
COHS was founded in early 2010 and accredited as the world’s first online private school district in February 2011. Since February 2012, approximately 7,200 students have enrolled in the program with a retention rate of approximately 68 to 72 percent.
Is COHS accredited?
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 32,000 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.
How do I get started?
Complete the "Are you Ready" survey to determine eligibility. Complete an online self-assessment. After you have successfully finished the self-assessment, you will be able to continue to the prerequisite course. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be contacted by the library within 3 business days to schedule a placement test and an interview and discuss your application into the program.
Contact the Bemis Outreach Librarian at 303-795-3961 for enrollment information.