High School Diplomas / College-level Examination Program / External Diplomas for Adults / Adult Education Opportunities Abroad / Evening Programs / Programs in the Washington Area / Enrichment Courses / Public School System Adult Education Programs / Colleges Offering Adult and Continuing Education Programs / More Information about State Colleges and Universities
The General Educational Development (GED) testing program was developed to give U.S. and Canadian citizens who have not graduated from high school the opportunity to demonstrate the level of achievement normally acquired through the completion of a traditional U.S./Canadian high school course of study. The five GED comprehensive examinations cover writing, social studies, science, interpreting literature and arts, and math. Emphasis is on intellectual ability such as evaluating, analyzing, drawing conclusions, and the ability to understand and apply information and concepts. The tests are administered in all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and the 10 Canadian provinces. The GED practice tests are available in English, Spanish, French, Braille, large print, and audiocassette. They can be ordered from the Steck-Vaughn Company, P.O. Box 26015, Austin, TX 78755. Tel: 1-800-531-5015 or visit their website. Many GED preparation books and software programs are also available in libraries and bookstores.
The GED tests may also be taken overseas on a limited basis by U.S. and Canadian citizens. They can only be administered through a U.S. Embassy or a military installation that is approved by the General Educational Development Testing Service (GEDTS). For information, contact the Administrative or Public Affairs Officer at the American Embassy or the Education Officer at a U.S. military base near you. The Chief Examiner designated by the GEDTS monitors testing and verifies eligibility. The requirements are that you:
For information on eligibility requirements, and to arrange to take the GED, contact the appropriate school system. If you do not have legal residence in the U.S. or Canada, you must be at least 18 years of age if you are a U.S. citizen and at least 19 years of age if you are a Canadian citizen. You must provide proof of age in the form of an official photo identification, and if you claim legal residence in a state or province, you must provide proof of residence.
If you meet the requirements, contact the Chief Examiner to arrange a test date and time. Submit the application with proof of age, citizenship, and legal residence to the Chief Examiner for signature before mailing it with the fee to GEDTS. Testing materials will be sent to the Chief Examiner at the Embassy or military testing center. The GED Examiner must return the completed test materials to the GED Testing Service Office for marking. If you pass the GED overseas, you may request a diploma from a state or province that does not require residence: Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Vermont, plus Alberta, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
To locate a testing center near you, view the American Coucil on Education (ACE) website. Their website provides a mechanism to search locations in Foreign countries using the "advanced search."
If you are a civilian who wants to take the test at a U.S. military base or if there is not a center in your area, contact:
Manager, International Testing or Director, Data and Scoring Services
GED International Testing Service
1 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 10
Washington, DC 20036-1163
Tel: 202-939-9490 / Fax: 202-833-4730
College-level Examination Program
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) serves high school students, enrolled college students, international students, and adults returning to college. It is designed to allow students to get college credit for knowledge learned outside the classroom. The heart of CLEP is a series of examinations rewarding you for what you know, whether you learned it in school, on the job, through reading, by observation, or in the course of your life experiences.
There are five general examinations and 30 subject-specific examinations. The general examinations are in English composition, humanities, college mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. The tests are at the level of courses taken in the first 2 years of college. Subject examinations include com-position and literature, foreign languages, history and social science, mathematics and science, and business. The general and subject examinations are multiple choice questions limited to 90 minutes. The subject examinations, requiring a higher degree of specialized knowledge and training, demonstrate the specific knowledge and skills you may have gained through job experience, outside course work, or independent reading.
CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program. Nearly two-thirds of accredited institutions of higher education give credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP examinations. Colleges have found that CLEP students are motivated, intellectually curious, and independent learners - qualities colleges look for and value in their students.
Another way for adults to obtain credentials is through an external diploma program (EDP) offered by many U.S. school systems. Unlike traditional examinations where test-takers are timed and tested in 1 day, EDP asks candidates to demonstrate their ability in a series of assessment tasks completed at home or in private office visits. Skills demonstrated through this applied performance assessment process are those needed by an adult functioning in the modern world: oral and written communication; listening, reading, and following instructions; computation and problem solving; sensitivity to cultural diversity; team-work; career development and entry-level job skills; awareness of social, consumer, govern-mental, and scientific issues; familiarity with computers and calculators; and ability to manipulate, analyze, synthesize, and apply data.
Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia offer a self-paced program that includes a diagnostic test for writing, reading, and math skills, and an assessment test for 65 general competencies. Completion time varies from 4 months to 1 year depending on the individual. Upon completion, a high school diploma is awarded by Fairfax County Public Schools. For more information, view the Fairfax County Public Schools website.
Other schools offer adult high school completion courses featuring daytime and evening programs for adults 17 and older who have previously attended, but not graduated from, high school. For information about these programs, contact the appropriate school system. See FLO's U.S. Public School in the Washintgon, DC Area
For more information about external degree and weekend college programs through-out the United States, visit The Council on Education website.
Adult Education Opportunities Abroad
Foreign Service people can attend many colleges and universities abroad. There may be a U.S. college or university at post, a local college or university, or programs given at the local American or international school.
Many American colleges have programs at posts with U.S. military bases nearby. Programs range from a certificate or associate degree in recreation technology and occupational education to graduate programs in international relations, counseling, public administration, and systems management. Some countries have a national university that is open to foreigners who are fluent in the language of instruction. There are also posts that have universities with classes in English.
Many American and international schools give courses for their teachers that may be open to members of the U.S. Mission. For example, Trenton State College offers teacher-training programs in Cyprus.
For information on courses offered by universities and colleges abroad or other education options available at post, contact the Community Liaison Office coordinator (CLO) or Human Resources Officer at the embassy or consulate. In Washington, contact the Overseas Briefing Center or the Family Liaison Office.
Selected Colleges and Universaries Offering Courses to Americans Abroad
American University in Cairo
866 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 212-421-6320
Fax: 212-688-5341
http://www.aucegypt.edu
The American University of Paris
80 East 11th Street, Suite 434
New York, NY 10003
Tel: 212-677-4870
Fax: 212-475-5205
http://aup.fr/default.htm
Continuing Education Department
31 Avenue Bosquet
75007 Paris, France
Tel: 011-331-4062-0600
Fax: 011-331-4720-4564
University of Maryland University College
University Boulevard at Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20742
Tel: 301-985-7077
Fax: 301-985-7678
http://www.umuc.edu
The Higher Education Committee at the University of Maryland offers adult education courses near military bases and selected American embassies overseas.
University of Oklahoma
1610 Asp Avenue, Room 400
Norman, OK 73072-6405
Tel: 405-325-2250
Fax: 405-325-3335
http://www.ou.edu
The Advanced Programs division of the University of Oklahoma offers quality graduate programs and new approaches to meet the special needs of individuals seeking retraining or skills upgrades who cannot spend an entire semester in residence. Courses are delivered worldwide to civil service and military personnel at 30 sites.
Adults with family and/or work responsibilities often find that evening programs, offered by many colleges and universities, are the best way to complete a degree in the shortest possible time. These programs may be especially attractive to students who have a minimum of 60 credits from accredited colleges. The advantages are:
At many schools, the core curriculum is divided into modules. Students take one course at a time with each course following consecutively. New courses start 1 week after completion of the last course, so there is no lag time between courses. Many college programs offer the opportunity to earn up to 30 credits for life and work experience. Foreign Service people can use their international experience to advantage in this type of program.
Programs in the Washington Area
The College Board maintains information on residency requirements by state.
For Foreign Service people living in Washington, there are a variety of adult education programs available. If you are undecided about your academic goals or unsure how to proceed, the Family Liaison Office will help sort out the wealth of information to find a program that suits your needs. Be sure to take the time to do a self-assessment and long-range planning before committing time and money to a course of study. Many colleges and universities offer interest tests, self-analysis programs, counseling, and life management courses to help you get started.
If you are interested in taking enrichment courses without specific educational goals, you will find a smorgasbord of tempting classes available. Costs are generally low and classes easily accessible in neighborhood schools, recreation centers, and churches. No matter how promising a course title, you should look carefully into the exact content to avoid disappointment. Shopping around for prices is important too, as individuals who teach expensive university courses may also work for public schools at a much lower cost.
For current class schedules and course descriptions, contact local community colleges, universities, county education and recreation departments, and the public library. The following institutions offer a variety of courses worth looking into:
Creative Education Program
Glen Echo Park
MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20768
Tel: 301-492-6282
http://www.nps.gov/glec/
Smithsonian Institution
Resident Associate Program
1110 Jefferson Drive SW
Room 3077
Washington, DC 20560
Tel: 202-357-3030
http://www.si.edu
Public School System Adult Education Programs
DC Public Schools
Vocational Adult Education
1709 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202-576-6308
Fax: 202-576-7899
http://www.k12.dc.us
Alexandria Public Schools
Adult Education Department
3330 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Tel: 703-824-6845
Fax: 703-824-6902
http://www.acps.k12.va.us
Arlington Public Schools
Adult Education
Clarendon Education Center
2801 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel: 703-358-7200
Fax: 703-358-7205
http://www.arlington.k12.va.us
Fairfax County Public Schools
Adult & Community Ed.
5775 Spindle Court
Centerville, VA 22020
Tel: 703-227-2200
Fax: 703-227-2377
http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OACE/
Prince William County Public Schools
Adult Education
P.O. Box 389
Manassas, VA 20108
Tel: 703-791-7357
Fax: 703-791-7336
http://www.pwcs.edu/
Montgomery County Public Schools
Alternative Programs
12518 Greenly Street
Silver Spring, MD 20906
Tel: 301-929-2025
Fax: 301-929-2099
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us
Prince George's County Public Schools
Adult Education
3021 Bel Air Drive
Bowie, MD 20715
Tel: 301-805-2710
Fax: 301-805-2713
http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/
Colleges Offering Adult and Continuing Education Programs
In the District of Columbia
American University
Program Information
McKinley Building
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Tel: 202-885-2500
Fax: 202-885-3991
http://www.american.edu/
Catholic University Metropolitan College
321 Pangborn Hall
Washington, DC 20064
Tel: 202-319-5256
Corcoran School of Art
17th and New York, NW
Washington, DC 20052
Tel: 202-634-1800
http://www.corcoran.org/
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202-651-5000
http://www.gallaudet.edu/
George Washington University
Center for Career Education
2020 K St. NW, Suite B100
Washington, DC 20052
Tel: 202-973-1175
http://www.gwu.edu
Georgetown University
Summer and Continuing Education
37th and O Streets NW
Washington, DC 20057
Tel: 202-687-5942
http://www.georgetown.edu
Johns Hopkins University
School of Continuing Studies
1625 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 800-588-0590
Fax: 202-516-7704
http://www.jhu.edu/
Levine School of Music
2801 Upton Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Tel: 202-686-9772
Fax: 202-337-2268
http://www.levineschool.org/
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-462-4811
Fax: 202-667-3419
http://www.nafsa.org/
National-Louis University
529 14th St. NW, Suite 1125
Washington, DC 20045
Tel: 800-443-5522, ext. 5151
http://www.nl.edu/
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Associates
1100 Jefferson Drive SW
Room 3077, MRC 701
Washington, DC 20560
Tel: 202-357-2700
http://www.si.edu
Southeastern University
501 I Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
Tel: 202-265-5343
Fax: 202-488-8093
http://www.seu.edu
Strayer College
1025 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202-408-2400
http://www.strayer.edu
Trinity College
125 Michigan Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20017
Tel: 202-884-9400
http://www.trinitydc.edu
University of the District of Colombia
Continuing Education
4200 Connecticut Ave. NW
Building 38, Room 207
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202-274-7404
http://www.udc.edu
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Graduate School
600 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20024
Tel: 202-720-5885
http://grad.usda.gov
In Maryland
Anne Arundel Community College
Continuing Education
101 College Parkway
Arnold, MD 21012-1895
Tel: 410-647-7100
http://www.aacc.cc.md.us/diseduc/
Bowie State University
14000 Jericho Park Road
Bowie, MD 20715
Tel: 301-464-6572
http://www.bowiestate.edu
Capitol College
11301 Springfield Drive
Laurel, MD 20708
http://www.capitol-college.edu/
Community College of Baltimore County
800 S. Rolling Road
Catonsville, MD 21228
Tel: 410-455-4304
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/
College of Southern Maryland
PO Box 910, Mitchell Road
La Plata, MD 20646
Tel: 301-934-2251, ext. 552
http://www.csmd.edu/
Columbia Union College
External Degree Program
7600 Flower Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Tel: 301-891-4124, 1-800-835-4212
http://www.cuc.edu/
Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, NIH
One Cloister Court
Bethesda, MD 20814-1460
Tel: 301-496-7976
Fax: 301-402-0483
http://www.faes.org/
Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812
Tel: 301-492-6229
Fax: 301-492-5384
http://www.nps.gov/glec/
Hood College
Brodbeck Scholars Program for Adults 23+
401 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701-8575
Tel: 301-696-3500
http://www.hood.edu/
Howard University
1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-585-2295
Fax: 301-585-8911
http://www.howard.edu/
http://www.con-ed.howard.edu
Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD 20852
Tel: 301-881-0100
Fax: 301-881-6549
http://www.jccgw.org
Johns Hopkins University
School of Continuing Studies
9601 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel: 301-294-7040
Fax: 301-294-7010
http://www.jhu.edu/
Maryland Public Television College of the Air
11767 Owings Mill Boulevard
Owings Mill, MD 21117
Tel: 800-873-6154, 410-581-4323
http://www.mpt.org
Montgomery College
Route 355 and Manakee St.
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel: 301-279-5188
http://www.mc.cc.md.us
Prince George's Community College
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20772
Tel: 301-322-0878
http://www.pgweb.pg.cc.md.us
University of Maryland University College
Univ. Blvd. and Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20742
Tel: 301-985-4636
Fax: 301-985-7678
http://www.umuc.edu
The Writer's Center
4508 Walsh Street
Bethesda, MD 20815
Tel: 301-654-8664
Fax: 301-654-8667
http://www.writer.org/
In Virginia
ATI Career Institute
7777 Leesburg Pike
Suite 100 South
Falls Church, VA 22043
Tel: 703-821-8570, 800-793-3390
Fax: 703-556-9892
http://www.trellisnet.com
George Mason University
FAST-TRAIN Program
Graduate School of Education
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Tel: 703-993-3689
Fax: 703-993-3336
http://fasttrain.gmu.edu/
Marymount University
Center for Comprehensive Learning
2807 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207
Tel: 703-522-5600
http://www.marymount.edu
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale Campus
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003-3796
Tel: 703-323-3000
Fax: 703-323-3367
http://www.nv.cc.va.us
University of Virginia
Continuing Education
2990 Telestar Court
Falls Church, VA 22042
Tel: 703-876-6900
http://www.scps.virginia.edu/
Virginia Art League School
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 North Union
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703-683-2323
http://www.theartleague.org
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ.
No. Va. Graduate Center
7054 Haycock Road
Falls Church, VA 22043
Tel: 703-698-6044
Fax: 703-698-6062
http://www.nvc.vt.edu/
More Information about State Colleges and Universities
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
James Monroe Building
101 North 14th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Tel: 804-225-2137
http://www.schev.edu/
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Jeffrey Building
16 Francis Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1781
Tel: 410-974-2971
http://www.mhec.state.md.us
Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office
