Career Online High School (COHS) is an online private high school diploma and career certification program available through some of Florida’s public libraries. This program offers free enrollment to a limited number of qualified adult students.

Adult residents who are at least 19-years-old, have successfully completed 9th grade and wish to earn their high school diploma. Minors should pursue their high school education through existing high school programs.

Program applicants must have a public library card in good standing or be willing to apply for a library card.

Through COHS, students may earn a certificate in the following areas:

Childcare and Education
Certified Protection Officer (Security Officer)
Office Management
Certified Transportation Services (Trucker/Commercial Driver)
Homeland Security
General Career Preparation
Retail Customer Service Skills
Food Service and Customer Service Skills

To arm you with the tools you need to find a job, we will teach you to create essential documents, such as your resume and a cover letter. All students must complete this.

Yes. You must use a desktop or laptop. A smart phone, tablet or iPad will not support the learning management system.

Yes. At this time, all coursework is available in English only.

No.

Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program, which will consist of 18 credits. Students accepted into the program may transfer up to 14 credits from their former high school. Depending on how many credits the student is able to transfer, the program can be completed in as few as five months.

COHS was founded in early 2010 and accredited as the world’s first online private school district in February 2011. Since February 2012, approximately 6,200 students have enrolled in the program with a retention rate of approximately 66% to 72%.

Career Online High School is accredited as an online school district by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, the national commission that confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) accreditation seal. This means that the SHCOE district and all of its schools are accredited, and that Smart Horizons Career Online Education is recognized across the nation as a quality school system, delivering a SACS accredited private online high school diploma.

Students and community members can learn more about the district accreditation process at www.advanc-ed.org.

If you are interested in attending a postsecondary institution, it is recommended that you contact the admissions office for the institution to confirm whether the diploma issued by COHS will satisfy the diploma requirements for that institution.

Career Online High School is committed to the success of its graduates as they advance into the workplace or post-secondary education and training. Any alumni of the COHS program who has questions about their transcripts or meeting college admissions requirements may call 1-888-408-5783 or email enrollment@shcoe.org for support.

Yes, all COHS instructors are state certified. Most of the academic coaches and academic instructors are located in Florida. Office hours are 8 am to 5 pm Central Time; however, coaches have evening hours twice a week and the hours will likely be expanded. Staff is not exclusively assigned to a specific library. The COHS academic coach will welcome the student initially and then reach out to all students at least once every two weeks – and more often for students needing additional assistance.

The library is committed to helping people meet their education and job preparation needs. The library encourages you to visit your nearest branch and speak to the staff to help you find a local agency or resource that will best fit your needs.

Complete an online self-assessment.

After you have successfully finished the self-assessment, you will be contacted by the library within 5 business days to discuss the prerequisite course. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be contacted by the library within 5 days to schedule an interview and discuss your application into the program

Please complete the information form and our enrollment team will contact you.