Earn an accredited high school diploma and career certification online through Career Online High School (COHS). We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals. Applicants who successfully complete an online self-assessment and a two-week prerequisite course, followed by an in-person interview, will be considered for a free seat to attend Career Online High School.
We have a limited number of free seats, enabling successful applicants to enroll in the program free of charge. Please email the library at: MCPL.COHS@montgomerycountymd.gov to request more information and next steps.
Once enrolled, COHS pairs each student with an academic coach, who provides the student with an individual career path, offers ongoing guidance, evaluates performance and connects the student with the resources needed to master the courses. Students are given up to 18 months to complete the program.
Learn more about how it works
We're here to help if you have any questions. Email: mcpl.cohs@montgomerycountymd.gov Phone: 240-777-0036
Career Online High School (COHS) is an online high school diploma and career certification program available through the Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). This program offers free enrollment to a limited number of qualified adult students.
Adults 19-years-old and older who have successfully completed 8 th grade and wish to earn a high school diploma can apply. Minors should pursue their high school education through existing high school programs.
Program applicants must have a library card in good standing or be willing to apply for a library card.
Learn more about applying for a library card from Montgomery County Public Libraries.
No. This is not a GED (General Educational Development) program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through an accredited high school.
While both the GED and the high school diploma are important, there are several differences between them: among the most significant is the fact that some colleges, institutions, and organizations require a high school diploma and may not accept the GED. 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.
Through COHS, students may earn a certificate in the following areas:
To arm you with the tools you need to find a job, we will teach you to create essential documents, such as your resume and a cover letter. All students must complete this.
Yes. However, applicants must visit a branch of Montgomery County Public Libraries for the in-person interview.
Throughout the program, Montgomery County Public Libraries will hold monthly group meetings at various library branches throughout the County. At these meetings, participants will have the opportunity to meet fellow students and receive assistance with library resources.
You must use a desktop or laptop. A smart phone, tablet or iPad will not support the learning management system.
Yes. All coursework is available in English only.
No.
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.
COHS was founded in early 2010 and accredited as the world’s first online private school district in February 2011. Since February 2012, approximately 6,200 students have enrolled in the program with a retention rate of approximately 68 to 72%.
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.
The prevalence of online “diploma mills” and counterfeit degrees has unfortunately created some skepticism around the legitimacy of diplomas from online institutions. Career Online High School is NOT a diploma mill. 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.
While Career Online High School itself is a new institution and may not immediately be familiar by name, it is easy to demonstrate that the school is recognized across the nation as a quality school system, delivering a SACS accredited online high school diploma. It is important to understand that a high school diploma alone (from any type of accredited high school), is not enough to guarantee a student admission into a college or university, as each postsecondary institution has its own minimum standards including admissions exams, standardized test scores and other criteria.
Yes, all COHS instructors are state certified. Most of the academic coaches and academic instructors are located in Florida. Office hours are 8 am to 5 pm Central Time; however, coaches have evening hours twice a week and the hours will likely be expanded. Staff is not exclusively assigned to a specific library. The COHS academic coach will welcome the student initially and then reach out to all students at least once every two weeks – and more often for students needing additional assistance.
The library is committed to helping people meet their education and job preparation needs. The library encourages you to visit your nearest branch and speak to the staff to help you find a local agency or resource that will best fit your needs.
