Multiple Pathways to High School Equivalency

On December 4, 2015, the State Board of Community Colleges approved the Multiple Pathways to High School Equivalency (MPHSE) to be “…an alternative for earning a high school equivalency diploma…” The objective of this initiative was to research and develop an alternative for earning a high school equivalency diploma through a combination or repackaging of currently established academically valid elements to document achievement of specifically determined content areas rather than by using a single testing instrument or path to completion.

The Multiple Pathways to High School Equivalency (MPHSE) diploma program is a standardized performance assessment program for the completion of a high school equivalency diploma. The MPHSE establishes a formalized system to provide students with a clear and flexible conduit toward earning a high school equivalency credential. The student must demonstrate high school-level competencies in the five selected content areas. Once the student has satisfactorily completed all requirements, a high school equivalency diploma will be awarded through the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

Resources:

• Documentation and Authorization Summary
• Office MPHSE worksheet
• Multiple Pathways to High School Equivalency Operating Guideline
• MPHSE Flyer
• MPHSE Training Document
• MPHSE FAQ January 2023
• MPHSE YouTube Video

The two nationally-recognized assessments used to obtain a state-issued High School Equivalency credential in North Carolina are GED® and HiSET®. Both High School Equivalency assessments are recognized by the US Department of Education USDOE GEN-14-16 and cover the same content areas. Passing the complete battery of either of the assessments will lead to the same High School Equivalency Diploma issued by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

HiSET® testing is the only high school equivalency assessment administered at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety adult correctional facilities.

Please note that both high school equivalency testing options may not be available at all community colleges and that some restrictions apply.  

Contact your HSE Chief Examiner directly at your local community college to learn about HSE test preparation and testing options.

For 2024 testing, please note that a security/emergency plan must be established and submitted to the HSE Office prior to administration of any HSE test.  Please ensure that this plan has been submitted to the HSE office prior to the first GED or HiSET test administration of the 2024 calendar year.
A walkthrough video, with guidance on how to complete the Security Information and Emergency Form Plan, can be found here.  Each chief examiner must complete this plan annually to communicate their security/emergency protocol to the HSE office.  Any questions concerning this form and the requirement associated with it can be directed to the Director of the HSE Office (Jenifer Bean, beanj@nccommunitycolleges.edu)     

High School Equivalency

North Carolina’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma program offers instruction to prepare learners to successfully pass a designated high school equivalency assessment. The two nationally-recognized assessments used to obtain a state-issued High School Equivalency diploma in North Carolina are GED® and HiSET®.

Please note that students 16-17 years of age must contact the HSE Chief Examiner at their local community college to request drop-release paperwork to be eligible to take high school equivalency assessments in North Carolina.

• TASC Test in NC has been discontinued as of August 31, 2020.
   
• ATTENTION: The NCCCS does not process any HSE Diploma or Transcript Requests or provide verification. Mail or phone request will delay the processing. Any Transcript or HSE request sent by mail will be returned to the sender. All High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas, transcripts, and verification requests for the GED® , HiSET, and TASC tests are processed through DiplomaSender. Please contact Diploma Sender at DiplomaSender.com or at 855-313-5799 for your transcript requests or queries regarding your transcripts or diploma.

For information about GED and HiSET, click on the icons below.

Online Proctored GED® test Rates:

Price per subject area $36.00 Total Test Taker Fee for full GED® test $144.00

Discounted Retake Program does not apply for the Online Proctored GED® test.