All College and Career Readiness courses are tuition-free and offered on Main Campus as well as other sites in Durham and Orange counties. All new students must attend a brief orientation to complete placement testing and register for classes. Returning students who have not been enrolled for two semesters must attend an orientation for re-testing before registering for classes.

Adult High School Diploma

Students enrolled in the Gateway to College Adult High School Diploma (AHSD) program are required to complete 22 units of credit. An official transcript is required and will be reviewed to determine which high school credits satisfactorily qualify for transfer into the AHSD program. Courses are offered online and in-person. Regular class participation is required for this program.

High School Equivalency (HiSET® and GED®)

The High School Equivalency (HSE) exams, HiSET® and GED®, are based on high school curriculum standards and certify mastery in four subject areas: language arts, social studies, science, and math. The HSE diploma is the certified equivalent of a traditional high school diploma. Students may take HSE courses to prepare for the HSE exams. HSE preparation courses are offered online and in person. View the High School Equivalency Diploma section of the website.

Adult Basic Education

Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses are available for adults who perform below high school level on the placement tests and wish to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. ABE courses are designed to prepare students to transition into the Gateway to College/Adult High School Diploma (AHSD) or High School Equivalency programs.

Adult Basic Education First Step

Durham Tech offers the Adult Basic Education First Step Program to beginning adult learners who may benefit from an academic and career-focused setting and to students with developmental disabilities. This program focuses on building academic skills in reading, math, language, arts, and computer literacy and allows students to progress at their own pace.