High School Equivalency College Credit Pathway

Ensure that you are eligible for the College Credit Pathway.

1. Are you sixteen years of age or older?
2. Are you not enrolled in secondary school or required to be enrolled in secondary school?
3. Do you not have a high school diploma?

If you answered yes to all three questions, then you are eligible! Move on to Step 2!

Additionally, 16- and 17-year-old individuals interested in applying for an HSE Diploma through the CCP must also provide:

• Official withdrawal from the last school attended.
• Notarized and dated permission letter from a parent or guardian.

Complete the Application for Arizona High School Equivalency Diploma: College Credit Pathway.

Here are the 5 most commonly asked questions about the CCP:

1. Are the college credits that I earned while attending an out-of-state school and/or private school eligible for the College Credit Pathway?
   • Applicable college credits must be earned, accepted, and/or validated by an Arizona accredited public community college and/or state university. Only transcripts issued by an Arizona-accredited public community college and/or state university will be valid.
     Individuals with out-of-state/private college credits must contact an Arizona accredited public community college and/or state university regarding transfer of credits.
2. What Arizona public universities or community colleges are eligible on this pathway?
   • The list of Eligible Arizona State Public Universities/Community Colleges is available for your convenience.
3. What are the steps to apply for an Arizona HSE Diploma through the College Credit Pathway?
   • Here is a summary of the steps to apply for an Arizona HSE Diploma through the College Credit Pathway:
     1. Pass the Arizona Civics Test* (see question 28);
     2. Complete and submit the College Credit pathway application Form to ADE;
     3. Applicant must request that an official transcript from an Arizona-accredited public community college and/or state university be sent to the Arizona Department of Education, on behalf of the applicant (see question 24).
     4. The application will be processed within 1 to 3 weeks of receiving the official transcript.
     5. After the official transcript is evaluated, the applicant must submit the required administrative fee to complete the validation process (see question 14).
     *It is important to remember that any person wishing to obtain an Arizona High School Equivalency Diploma through the College Credit Pathway must pass the Arizona Civics Test prior to submitting any documentation to the Arizona Department of Education (per A.R.S. §15-701.01).
4. Who is required to mail the official transcript to the Arizona Department of Education?
   • Official transcripts must be mailed directly from an Arizona accredited public community college and/or state university, in a sealed envelope, to the following address on behalf of the applicant:
      Arizona Department of Education
     Adult Education Services, Bin #26
     College Credit Pathway - Transcripts
     1535 W Jefferson Street
     Phoenix, AZ 85007
     
     IMPORTANT: It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the correct mailing address to the Arizona accredited public community college and/or state university.
5. Can I combine high school credits or GED test scores to get an HSE College Credit Diploma in Arizona?
   • No. Earned college credits and GED passing scores or high school credits cannot be combined to apply for an Arizona HSE Diploma through the College Credit Pathway.

For a complete list of questions and answers about the CCP, please see the College Credit Pathway FAQ document.