A high school degree is officially called a high school diploma. While people often use “degree” casually, the credential you earn for completing high school is technically a diploma, not a degree. Degrees are awarded by colleges and universities (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral), while diplomas are awarded by secondary schools. In the United States and Canada, a high school diploma is considered the minimum education required for government jobs and admission to higher education.
Why It’s a Diploma, Not a Degree
The distinction comes down to what kind of institution grants it. A degree represents completion of a program at a college or university, typically involving specialized coursework in a chosen field. A diploma, by contrast, certifies that you finished a general educational program meeting the requirements set by your state or jurisdiction. When you graduate from high school, your school issues a diploma document, and the credential on your resume or job application is listed as “High School Diploma” or sometimes “HS Diploma.”
That said, if someone asks whether you have a “high school degree” in everyday conversation or on a job application, everyone understands what you mean. The terms are used interchangeably in casual settings. But on official documents, transcripts, and applications, “high school diploma” is the correct term.
Types of High School Diplomas
Not all high school diplomas are the same. The National Center for Education Statistics recognizes several distinct diploma tracks, each defined by state or jurisdictional requirements:
- Regular or General Diploma: The standard diploma awarded when you meet your state’s minimum graduation requirements. This is what most graduates receive.
- College Preparatory or Advanced Diploma: Awarded to students who complete a more rigorous academic program that meets or exceeds the requirements for college admission. This typically involves additional math, science, and foreign language coursework.
- Vocational or Technical Diploma: Earned by students who complete a career-focused program in areas like healthcare, skilled trades, or business technology alongside their core academic courses.
- Honors or Regents Diploma: Given to students who graduate at a prescribed level of outstanding academic performance or meet special requirements beyond the minimum. The name varies by state.
- Adult High School Diploma: Designed for adults who return to complete their high school education later in life, following requirements set by their state.
The specific names and availability of these tracks vary by state. Your transcript will typically indicate which type of diploma you earned, and some employers and colleges do distinguish between them.
High School Equivalency Credentials
If you didn’t finish high school through the traditional path, you can earn a high school equivalency credential instead. The most widely recognized is the GED (General Educational Development) test, but it’s not the only option. Some states offer the HiSET exam or other pathways, including earning a set number of college credits to demonstrate equivalent knowledge.
An equivalency credential is not identical to a diploma, but most employers and colleges accept it the same way. On applications, you’ll typically see a checkbox for “High School Diploma or Equivalent,” which covers both.
Certificates of Completion
Some students receive a certificate of completion or certificate of attendance rather than a diploma. These are issued to students who finished their years of high school but did not meet all the academic requirements for a diploma. Students with disabilities who complete the goals outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) may receive a certificate of IEP completion.
These certificates are not equivalent to a diploma. They acknowledge participation but generally don’t qualify you for jobs or college programs that require a high school diploma. If you received a certificate of completion, pursuing a GED or other equivalency credential can close that gap.
What to Put on Your Resume
When listing your education on a resume, job application, or college application, write “High School Diploma” followed by the name of your school and your graduation year. If you earned a specialized version, you can note that: “Advanced Diploma” or “Honors Diploma.” If you earned a GED or other equivalency, list it as “High School Equivalency Diploma” or “GED” with the year you earned it.
For most jobs that require a “high school degree,” any of these credentials will satisfy the requirement. The phrasing on the job listing is just informal language for the same thing: proof that you completed your secondary education.