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Submitted by Savannah Technical College
July 1, 2025 – Savannah Technical College has been approved to award high school diplomas through its Cognia-accredited Career Plus High School Diploma (HSD) program. This approval follows a rigorous review by Cognia, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.
Cognia recognizes schools across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership. To earn Cognia accreditation, a school must submit to internal and external review. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.
This milestone aligns with the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Completion to Career initiative, which reimagines high school credentialing by offering adult learners an alternative to the traditional GED. The Career Plus program empowers Georgia residents aged 18 and older to earn an accredited high school diploma on their own timeline while gaining valuable career training in high-demand fields.
“Cognia’s accreditation is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to student success,” said Dr. Heather Hartley-Cowden, Dean of Savannah Tech’s Adult Education division. “Through Career Plus, Savannah Tech can now provide adult learners with a flexible, affordable, and supportive pathway leading to meaningful employment and continued education.”
The Career Plus HSD program combines foundational academic coursework with career-specific training, offering students the opportunity to align their education with personal and professional goals. Career pathways are available in essential industries, including:
- Aircraft and Avionics
- Business Administration
- Computers and Engineering
- Construction and Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Professional Services
- Public Safety
- Transportation
These career-focused options support workforce development across Georgia and help adult learners transition from education to employment or further education. By enabling students to earn a high school diploma and career credentials simultaneously, Savannah Technical College’s Career Plus program offers an alternative to the GED and a direct route to in-demand careers.
Designed for adult learners who are driven to improve their lives through education, the Career Plus program is ideal for individuals who want to:
- Complete high school at their own pace.
- Gain career-specific credentials while earning their diploma.
- Prepare for the workforce, apprenticeships, or college-level study.
Enrollment in this groundbreaking program is now open. Georgia residents must be at least 18 years old and officially withdrawn from high school to qualify.
For more information about Savannah Technical College’s Career Plus High School Diploma program, please visit Savannah Technical College Adult Education Career Plus webpage, call 912-443-5352, or email Jencarlos Feliciano-Ponce at jponce@savannahtech.edu.
ABOUT COGNIA
Cognia is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Find out more at cognia.org.
ABOUT SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.
Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.