High School Diploma Program General Information

What is the High School Diploma Program at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC)?
The High School Diploma Program is designed for students, 16 years of age or older, who would like to earn their high school diploma while taking high school and/or college courses at MHCC.

Students take high school classes at MHCC, taught by high school teachers for $95.00 per ½ credit course or they can take college courses and earn a significant number of college credits towards an associate degree. Students taking college courses will pay regular college tuition. For current college tuition rates, visit http://www.mhcc.edu/tuition/ 

What Is Dual Credit? How Is Dual Credit Awarded?
Dual credit means that the student will receive high school credit and college credit for the same class. Only through specific college courses can the student earn dual credit. The breakdown of credit is:

1-2 college credits = .25 high school credit
3-4 college credits = .50 high school credit
5-6 college credits = 1.0 high school credit

For a list of dual credit courses please contact High School Services at 503-491-7421.

Are the requirements for earning a MHCC high school diploma different than the requirements for earning a diploma issued by the high schools?
They can be. Every school district has a different set of requirements. What was required at the student's district high school may be different than what is required at MHCC. Below is a list of class requirements.

If I have been on an Individual Education Plan (IEP) at my high school, will I still receive the same services and support at MHCC?
IEP'-s are not used at a college level; however, students should contact our Disability Services Office (DSO) to determine a student's eligibility for accommodations. For additional information concerning services for students will disabilities or accommodation requests, contact the DSO at 503-491-6923 or 503-491-7670 TDD.

What kind of support will help me be successful in a college setting?
Students should work closely with the High School Diploma staff, who will assist students with class selections, transcript evaluations, long term educational planning and registration.
Students are also be encouraged to use college resources such as advising, the Learning Success Center, career and personal counseling, disability services, student activities, the library, computer labs and more.

What Grades Are Accepted?
In evaluating the student's previous transcripts grades all A, B, C, D or P grades will be accepted as passing. An F, NP, W or Incomplete grades will not be accepted.
Once the student is enrolled in the High School Diploma program only grades A, B, C, or P will be accepted. Grades of D, F, NP, W and Incomplete will not be accepted. All students looking to earn a high school diploma will be evaluated using the same criteria. Credit will not be given for life experience or CLEP testing scores.

What Are The Requirements To Graduate?
Twenty-four credits are required to graduate through this program and student must demonstrate proficiency on the college placement test in reading, writing and math.
I'm interested in joining the program, what do I do now?

• Students will need to contact their previous high school (and college) and ask for official transcripts in a sealed envelope. For a transcript evaluation, students must deliver an official transcript to the High School Services office, located at the Gresham campus in room 1162.
• Students must be at least 16 years old. Students that are under 18 years old must provide a signed release from their district high school.
• Students must take the College Placement Test. For a student to be considered proficient or at college level, they must place into RD 115, MTH 60, and WR 115. Students do not need to be proficient before joining the program, but will need to prove themselves proficient prior to receiving a diploma.
• It is recommended that students have at least 12 high school credits prior to joining the High School Diploma program.
• Students will need to fill out an orientation packet from the High School Services office, room 1162.

How Do I Contact The High School Diploma Program Office?
High School Services is located in room 1162, next to the Bookstore. Our hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. We are closed on Friday. You can also reach us by phone at 503-491-7421.