North Miami Public Library - Career Online High School

Program Overview:
North Miami Public Library now offers a Career Online High School (COHS) Program! This program offers North Miami’s adult residents, ages 19 and older, the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and Career Certificate online.

The NoMi Library Program provides a limited number of full scholarships for free to qualified adult learners seeking to advance their careers, prepare for workforce entry and continue their education. Applicants who successfully complete the online self-assessment will be prompted to begin the pre-requisite course. Those who pass the pre-requisite course with a 70% or higher will be contacted for an in person interview at the North Miami Library for scholarship consideration. The NoMi Library’s goal is to award scholarships to all qualified applicants.

Curriculum:
Once enrolled, COHS pairs each student with an Online Academic Coach, who will help identify the student’s individual career path, offers on-going guidance, evaluates performance and connects the student with the resources needed to master each course. Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program.

Core Courses include English, Math, Social Studies and Science. Additionally, students will choose supplemental courses from COHS’s available high-growth, high-demand career fields and complete coursework to develop the skills and knowledge that potential employers look for.

Applicant Eligibility Checklist:

• Are you at least 19-years-old?
• Are you a North Miami residence?
  (Government issued identification cards and a utility bill issued within the last three months)
• Are you a North Miami Public Library cardholder in good standing; or are you willing to apply for a NoMi Library Card?
• Have you already completed at least one year of high school?
  (Applicant must provide a high school transcript)

For more information, please contact Georgette Spratling, the North Miami Public Library’s COHS Liaison at NoMiCOHS@northmiamifl.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Career Online High School (COHS)? What is Career Online High School (COHS)?

  
  
  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.
• Who can apply for COHS Who can apply for COHS

  
  
  Adult residents who are at least 19-years-old and wish to earn their high school diploma.
  
  As an indicator of readiness it is recommended that the applicant have attended the 9th grade. 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.
  
  Program applicants who have already received a standard high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma are not eligible for this program. Program applicants who have already received a certificate of completion are eligible.
• What type of career certificates will be offered? What type of career certificates will be offered?

  
  
  Through COHS, students may earn a certificate in the following areas:
     • Certified Protection Officer
     • Child Care and Education
     • Commercial Driving
     • Food and Hospitality
     • General Career Preparation
     • Home Care Professional – Coming Soon
     • Homeland Security
     • Hospitality and Leisure
     • Office Management
     • Retail Customer Service
• What is the career portfolio? What is the career portfolio?

  
  
  To arm COHS Students with the tools needed to find a job, COHS will teach students to create essential documents, such as resumes and cover letters. All students must complete this.
• Is all course work web based? Is all course work web based?

  
  
  Yes.
• What device(s) could I use to access my course work? What device(s) could I use to access my course work?

  
  
  You may use a desktop laptop, or tablet. Computers are available for use at the North Miami Public Library during regular business hours.
• Is all course work in English? Is all course work in English?

  
  
  Yes. At this time, all coursework is available in English only.
• Will I need to purchase text books? Will I need to purchase text books?

  
  
  No. All material will be provided by COHS.
• How long will it take for students to complete the program? How long will it take for students to complete the program?

  
  
  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 accredited high school. Depending on how many credits the student is able to transfer, the program can be completed in as few as six months. The average time to complete is 12 months.
• Will local Colleges and Universities accept a Career Online High School diploma? Will local Colleges and Universities accept a Career Online High School diploma?

  
  
  The prevalence of online “diploma mills” and counterfeit degrees has unfortunately created some skepticism around the legitimacy of diplomas from online institutions. Career Online High School is NOT a diploma mill. Career Online High School is accredited 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), North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) accreditation seals.
  
  While Career Online High School itself is a new institution and may not immediately be familiar by name, it is easy to demonstrate that the school is recognized across the nation as a quality school system, delivering an AdvancedED accredited online high school diploma. It is important to understand that a high school diploma alone (from any type of accredited high school), is not enough to guarantee a student admission into a college or university, as each postsecondary institution has its own minimum standards including admissions exams, standardized test scores and other criteria.
• Does the NoMi Library offer additional resources for education and job preparation? Does the NoMi Library offer additional resources for education and job preparation?

  
  
  The NoMi 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.
• How do I get started? How do I get started?

  
  
  First, complete the online self-assessment.
  
  After successfully submitting the web-based self-assessment, applicants will be contacted by the North Miami Public Library within 5 business days to discuss the prerequisite course. Upon successful completion of the course, applicants will be contacted by the library within 5 days to schedule an interview and discuss the applicant’s program admission.
• How are students notified when admitted into the program? How are students notified when admitted into the program?

  
  
  During the in-person interview the applicant will be told if they qualify to receive a COHS scholarship.
• How can members of the community donate to the Scholarship program? How can members of the community donate to the Scholarship program?

  
  
  Community members seeking to donate funds to the NoMi COHS may contact Georgette Spratling at NoMiCOHS@northmiamifl.gov.
• Can students pay their own tuition if scholarships are not available? Can students pay their own tuition if scholarships are not available?

  
  
  If there are no additional scholarships available for the year, and students who are accepted into the program and would like to pay tuition out of pocket, the fees and payment options are as follows:
  
  OPTION 1:
  Payment In-Full at Time of Enrollment Total Price: $1,295.00
  Benefit: Administration fee of $91 is waived when total tuition cost of $1,295 is paid upon enrollment.
  
  OPTION 2:
  Automatic Payment Withdrawals Total Price: $1,386.00
  Upon enrollment, first payment of $77 is due. After 1st month of enrollment, 17 additional monthly payments of $77 are automatically charged to the student’s credit or debit card.
• If for some reason I will not be able to complete the program in the allotted time can I receive an extension? If for some reason I will not be able to complete the program in the allotted time can I receive an extension?

  
  
  A 3 month extension can be granted at the discretion of the Academic Coach. If a student receives an extension an out of pocket fee of $250 will be assessed.
• What if I need to take a break to deal with a life changing event? What if I need to take a break to deal with a life changing event?

  
  
  At the discretion of the Academic Coach, a student can be granted up to 6 months leave of absence at no charge.

Frequently Asked Questions - English - Spanish - Creole (pdf)

Career Online High School Brochure - English - Spanish - Creole (pdf)

For more information, attend one of the Information Sessions:

• Information Session 1
  Thursday, January 31, 2019
  6:00 p.m.
  North Miami Public Library - 835 NE 132 Street

• Information Session 2
  Thursday, February 21, 2019
  6:00 p.m.
  Gwen Margolis Community Center - 1590 NE 123 Street

• Information Session 3
  Tuesday,  March 12, 2019
  6:00 p.m.
  Griffing Community Center - 12220 Griffing Boulevard

• Information Session 4
  Saturday, April 6, 2019
  3:00 p.m.
  North Miami Public Library - 835 NE 132 Street

• Information Session 5
  Thursday, May 9, 2019
  5:00 p.m.
  North Miami Public Library - 835 NE 132 Street

• Information Session 6
  Thursday, June 13, 2019
  6:00 p.m.
  Joe Celestin Center - 1525 NW 135 Street

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