Grow your career prospects this spring: Earn an accredited high school diploma free, through your library

​If you're age 20 or older and want to complete your high school diploma to improve your career options – or for your own personal achievement – Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL) has a program for you. Career Online High School (COHS) is fully online, available 24/7, and free to Virginia Beach residents. Work at your own pace with support from a personal academic coach, and get help with a resume, cover letter and other tools for career advancement.

"Our Career Online High School graduates have called the program 'life-changing,'" said Lennis Sullivan, adult services coordinator for VBPL. "Many have gone on to pursue degree programs in fields such as nursing and criminal justice."

In addition to an accredited diploma, you can earn a career certificate in a field of your choice including general career prep, office management, childcare and education, home care, security, food and hospitality, leisure, commercial driving and retail customer service. Just added in March 2022 is the option to earn a certificate in manufacturing.

More than 40 Virginia Beach residents have earned a high school diploma and career certificate through VBPL since 2016, and another 19 are in the program and working toward graduation. VBPL has 26 scholarships available to Virginia Beach residents ages 20 and older. To learn more, including how to enroll and available scholarship opportunities email VBPLdiploma@VBgov.com.

About Virginia Beach Public Library

Virginia Beach Public Library includes a central library, a joint-use library in partnership with Tidewater Community College, seven area libraries and a public law library. Services include workforce development and job-search support, small business resources, computer and technology classes, early literacy classes and outreach, and local history archives and programs. In addition to books, music, magazines and movies in tangible and digital formats, the library provides online research tools accessible from home or work, and a variety of specialty collections.