What are my education options?

You can advance your education through formal schooling and on-the-job training.

Formal Schooling

General Education Development (GED) Test
A General Education Development (GED) test measures academic skills equivalent to those learned in high school. Passing a GED test is the equivalent to earning a high school diploma. GED tests are offered in English, Spanish, and French.

To find your local GED Testing Center, call the American Council on Education (ACE) at 1-800-62-MYGED (1-800-626-9433), or visit ACE’s General Educational Development Testing Service Web site.

Technical School

Technical schools help you qualify for these types of jobs:
•	Automotive technician
•	Medical assistant
•	Hair stylist
•	Interior designer
•	Electronics technician
•	Paralegal
•	Truck driver

Technical schools, also known as trade or vocational schools, provide opportunities to learn new skills, qualify for jobs, and earn more money. When you finish technical school, you usually receive a certificate of completion.

To find a technical school in your area, visit the RWM Vocational Schools Database Web site. Schools are listed by state then by occupation. All schools on this site are state approved or accredited.

You can find other helpful resources for finding a vocational or technical school at:
• The Federal Trade Commission: Choosing a Career or Vocational School
• The U.S. Department of Education: Choosing a Career College or Technical School

Community and Four-Year Colleges
Community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities offer a huge range of educational programs for people of all ages. Choosing a school is an important decision because of the costs and the time required to successfully graduate.