Career Online High School (COHS) is an accredited, online high school diploma and career certification program available through the Livermore Public Library. The library offers scholarships (free enrollment) to a limited number of qualified students.

• Adults (18 and over) who live in the City of Livermore who want to earn their high school diploma.
• Program applicants who have a current Livermore Public Library card or be willing to apply for a library card.
• Program applicants who have completed at least the 8th grade.
• Program applicants who are comfortable reading and writing in English, as all coursework is in English.
• Program applicants who are comfortable using technology, including sending and receiving emails regularly, as all instruction is offered online.

Visit one of our three branch libraries with a photo ID. If your ID does not have your current address on it, please bring a piece of mail or document (printed or on your phone) that has your name and current address. Online library cards are temporary and expire in 30 days. Program applicants who apply for a card online should visit a library to receive a permanent card.

Prospective students must successfully pass an online self-assessment (Are You Ready? Survey) and prerequisite course (70% or higher) to qualify for a scholarship interview. Prospective students who pass the scholarship interview will be invited to enroll in the program.

Enrollment is limited and the demand is expected to be high. This program requires students to have good time management, self-motivation, and commitment to successfully complete their courses. Students will need to spend at least 10 hours of coursework per week on a computer with Internet access.

If you successfully complete the selection process above, Livermore Public Library will award you a free scholarship valued at $1,500 to continue in the program. At that time, the library’s COHS Coordinator will speak with you about your commitment and provide you with all the information you need to get started. If awarded a scholarship, you will be on probation for 30 days while completing at least two more semesters. If you do not pass probation, you will not be able to continue with the program.

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.  The GED are a group of standardized tests on four subject areas. Passing the GED earns you a high school equivalency certificate. COHS gives students the benefit of earning a career certificate and completing additional job preparation documents and training.

The library has a limited number of scholarships. Program applicants who have already received a standard high school diploma, or a high school equivalency certificate, are not eligible for this program.

Through COHS, students may earn a career certificate in one of the following nine areas:

• General Career Preparation
• Office Management
• Child Care and Education (CDA)*
• Home Care Professional
• Retail Customer Service
• Commercial Driving (CDL)*
• Food and Hospitality (CPFM)*
• Security Professional
• Hospitality and Leisure

*Prepares students to obtain the industry credential

All coursework is online. You can use a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or iPad to access your coursework. You can access your courses using smartphones, but we recommend the previous devices for the best learning experience. All devices must have access to the Internet.

Yes. Currently, all coursework is available in English only.

No. However, the English coursework may require you to read novels, which you can borrow from Livermore Public Library.

You will be given up to 18 months to complete the program, which consists of 18 credits. You may transfer up to 14 credits from former accredited high schools. Depending on how many credits you transfer, the program can be completed much quicker.

While access to a high school transcript is strongly encouraged to transfer credits to COHS, it is not a requirement to apply. Enrollees without access to their high school transcript need to complete all 18 credits within 18 months.

You can transfer up to 14 credits from courses already completed at your former accredited high school(s) or GED subject tests. To receive credit from the GED, you must have passed the GED® subject area at a Performance Level 2 or higher (145+). GED tests taken before 2002 are not accepted for transfer credits.

All COHS instructors and academic coaches are state certified. Additionally, as the high school diploma is Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited, it should be accepted by many colleges and universities. However, admissions requirements are always up to an individual college.

Cognia is the national commission that confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) accreditation seal. Cognia provides nationally recognized accreditation for school districts and individual schools and represents 36,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 80 countries around the world.

There may be other options available to you. Please contact cohs@livermore.lib.ca.us for more information.

The Livermore Public Library is committed to helping people meet their education and job preparation needs. The library’s Literacy Program pairs adults who want to improve their basic reading and writing skills with trained volunteer tutors for one-to-one tutoring.

• Basic Computer Skills
• Career/Employment
• English Conversation Groups
• Job Help & Job Sources
• Test Preparation

Explore our Digital Library for more resources on adult education and job preparation.

Begin by taking the Are You Ready? Survey. Once you complete the survey, the library’s COHS Coordinator will email you with details on how to enroll in and complete a prerequisite course. The prerequisite course must be completed in 2 weeks or less and with a passing score of 70% or better. Upon the successful completion of the two-week prerequisite course, the library will contact you to schedule a Scholarship Interview. If you have questions, call (925) 373-5567 or email cohs@livermore.lib.ca.us.