Adult Education Services & Courses

Services & Courses

The GED test is the only nationally-recognized high school equivalency test. More than 18 million people have passed the test, and it’s been instrumental in changing lives. Notable graduates include state governors, members of Congress, college presidents and community leaders.

The GED has four test subjects, including Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies. You can learn more about the four subjects here

The GED is made up of the following types of questions:

  • Multiple Choice
  • Drag and drop
  • Hot spot (select an area)
  • Fill in the blank
  • Short answer
  • Extended response
     

 

Gadsden State’s Adult Education Services can assist individuals who are at least 19 years old with earning the Non-traditional High School Diploma Option (HSDO). Through a partnership with the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama State Department of Education, there are two HSDO program options:

Option 1 – An adult who attended an Alabama high school and earned enough credits to graduate but did not pass the high school graduation exam

Option 2 – An adult who earned 10 or more credits from an Alabama high school and requires additional credits for high school completion

The HSDO process starts with the student requesting a Transcript Audit form be sent from the local high school last attended to the Gadsden State Adult Services Program. Sending electronically is the preferred method of receipt but it can also be hand-delivered if the form is in a sealed envelope and contains the official school seal. The form must have the signature of the school’s counselor or principal/administrator. Download the form here

Upon completion of the HSDO program, the student will receive their high school diploma from the last Alabama high school they attended. To enroll in the HSDO program, the individual must meet all eligibility requirements.

For more information, call 256-549-8698 or 256-832-1235.

Adult Education Services isn’t just about preparing students for the GED or HSDO. The department also assists them with identifying satisfying career fields that match their personality, work style and abilities while taking into consideration the personal responsibilities of each student. Adult Education Services has partnered with Gadsden State’s Skills Training Division to provide students with Career Pathways. Students may enroll in a career pathway while working on their high school credential or after they attain it.

The Skills Training Division provides short-term, non-credit, competency-based training programs that are measured by contact hours rather than semester hours. Students may register for classes at any time through the year and may continue until the appropriate skills have been attained. Students who complete training programs within the division will be awarded a certificate of completion. 

Career Pathways also provides credit-bearing degrees and certificates to students who complete their programs of study. Many of the Career Pathways programs are eligible for financial assistance under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These courses are based on semester hours. The College has specific registration dates offered only a few times throughout the year for students to register and begin their selected pathway. Registration dates can be found on the college calendar.

Program Name Tuition Program Length Available Scholarships
Advanced Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy - Skills Training - Employment & Training Program Completers $2,300.00 9 weeks Yes
Air Conditioning/Refrig Certificate (Skills Training) - Employment & Training Program Completers  $3,528.00 28 weeks  Yes
Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $7,360.00 60 weeks Yes
Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Degree - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
Automotive Service Technology Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $9,600.00 60 weeks Yes
Carpentry (Advanced) Short Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $4,000.00 30 weeks Yes
Carpentry (Basic) Short Certificate - Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; <1 yr.  $4,000.00 30 weeks Yes
Civil Engineering Technology Degree - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
Computer Science- Network Administration - Associate's Degree  $11,520.00 75 weeks Yes
Computer Science Technology Degree - Associate's Degree  $11,680.00  75 weeks Yes

Electrical Technology Degree - Associate's Degree 

$12,160.00  75 weeks Yes
Electronic Engineering Tech - General Option Degree - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
Industrial Automation Technology AAS - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
LPN Certificate - Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 2-4 yrs.  $10,060.00 60 weeks Yes
Mechanical Design Technology Degree - Associate's Degree  $11,200.00 75 weeks Yes

Medical Lab Technician Degree - Associate's Degree 

$15,330.00 75 weeks  Yes
Medical Records Clerk (Skills Training) Certificate - Employment & Training Program Completers  $3,528.00 26 weeks  Yes
Office Administration - Health Information Technology Management - Associate's Degree $11,502.00 75 weeks Yes

Office Administration - Medical - Associate's Degree 

$11,235.00 75 weeks Yes

Precision Machining Degree - Associate's Degree 

$11,680.00 75 weeks Yes

Radiologic Technology Degree - Associate's Degree 

$12,380.00 75 weeks Yes

Registered Nursing AAS - Associate's Degree 

$14,515.00 75 weeks Yes
Truck Driver Training (Skills Training) - Employment & Training Program Completers  $3,500.00 6 weeks Yes
Welding (Skills Training) Certificate - Employment & Training Program Completers $3,538.00 26 weeks Yes

Welding Technology Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs. 

$9,280.00 60 weeks  Yes
Welding Technology Short Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $4,480.00 45 weeks Yes

*All of the programs listed are eligible for financial assistance under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA).

English as a Second Language classes are offered at Gadsden State at no cost. The classes will:

  • Help students gain a functional command of English by focusing on vocabulary and sentence structure to improve reading, speaking and listening comprehension
  • Help students improve English language skills needed in the workplace
  • Assist students in preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and/or the general education development test
  • Prepare student to enter college.

Classes are provided in a comfortable atmosphere where students are encouraged to expand their knowledge. ELA courses are offered at convenient times at two locations:

*Registration includes completing enrollment paperwork and initial testing. Please plan to stay from 3 to 4.5 hours on the day of registration.

 

Alabama Career Essentials is a FREE training course designed by the Alabama Community College System to provide Alabamians with relevant, cutting-edge and industry-driven employability skills training to better prepare individuals for the Alabama workforce. The main goal of the ACE course is to ensure current and future workers are equipped with the skills necessary to enter the 21st-century Alabama workforce.

These are the credentials ACE participants gain after completing the program:

  • ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate
  • Alabama Certified Employee Certificate
  • One free college course (up to 4 credit hours)
  • Articulated credit for WKO 110 (3 credits) when enrolling in one of the state community colleges.

In addition to credentials, participants gain support, build confidence, improve their opportunities and get access to ongoing skill upgrades and lifelong learning.

For more information, contact Patricia Watts pwatts@gadsdenstate.edu, 256-832-1235 (Anniston), Chris Hopper, chopper@gadsdenstate.edu, 256-439-6957 (Gadsden) or Chad Carney, jcarney@gadsdenstate.edu, 256-832-1235.

Adult Education Services isn’t just about preparing students for the GED or HSDO. The department also assists them with identifying satisfying career fields that match their personality, work style and abilities while taking into consideration the personal responsibilities of each student. Adult Education Services has partnered with Gadsden State’s Skills Training Division to provide students with Career Pathways. Students may enroll in a career pathway while working on their high school credential or after they attain it.

The Skills Training Division provides short-term, non-credit, competency-based training programs that are measured by contact hours rather than semester hours. Students may register for classes at any time through the year and may continue until the appropriate skills have been attained. Students who complete training programs within the division will be awarded a certificate of completion. 

Career Pathways also provides credit-bearing degrees and certificates to students who complete their programs of study. Many of the Career Pathways programs are eligible for financial assistance under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These courses are based on semester hours. The College has specific registration dates offered only a few times throughout the year for students to register and begin their selected pathway. Registration dates can be found on the college calendar.

Program Name Tuition Program Length Available Scholarships
Advanced Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy - Skills Training - Employment & Training Program Completers $2,300.00 9 weeks Yes
Air Conditioning/Refrig Certificate (Skills Training) - Employment & Training Program Completers  $3,528.00 28 weeks  Yes
Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $7,360.00 60 weeks Yes
Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Degree - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
Automotive Service Technology Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $9,600.00 60 weeks Yes
Carpentry (Advanced) Short Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $4,000.00 30 weeks Yes
Carpentry (Basic) Short Certificate - Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; <1 yr.  $4,000.00 30 weeks Yes
Civil Engineering Technology Degree - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
Computer Science- Network Administration - Associate's Degree  $11,520.00 75 weeks Yes
Computer Science Technology Degree - Associate's Degree  $11,680.00  75 weeks Yes

Electrical Technology Degree - Associate's Degree 

$12,160.00  75 weeks Yes
Electronic Engineering Tech - General Option Degree - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
Industrial Automation Technology AAS - Associate's Degree  $12,160.00 75 weeks Yes
LPN Certificate - Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 2-4 yrs.  $10,060.00 60 weeks Yes
Mechanical Design Technology Degree - Associate's Degree  $11,200.00 75 weeks Yes

Medical Lab Technician Degree - Associate's Degree 

$15,330.00 75 weeks  Yes
Medical Records Clerk (Skills Training) Certificate - Employment & Training Program Completers  $3,528.00 26 weeks  Yes
Office Administration - Health Information Technology Management - Associate's Degree $11,502.00 75 weeks Yes

Office Administration - Medical - Associate's Degree 

$11,235.00 75 weeks Yes

Precision Machining Degree - Associate's Degree 

$11,680.00 75 weeks Yes

Radiologic Technology Degree - Associate's Degree 

$12,380.00 75 weeks Yes

Registered Nursing AAS - Associate's Degree 

$14,515.00 75 weeks Yes
Truck Driver Training (Skills Training) - Employment & Training Program Completers  $3,500.00 6 weeks Yes
Welding (Skills Training) Certificate - Employment & Training Program Completers $3,538.00 26 weeks Yes

Welding Technology Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs. 

$9,280.00 60 weeks  Yes
Welding Technology Short Certificate - Certificates < 2yrs.  $4,480.00 45 weeks Yes

*All of the programs listed are eligible for financial assistance under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA).

MSSC Certification Training is also offered throughout the academic year for those wanting to master core competencies of manufacturing.

Gadsden State Community College has received a federal grant to open the Cheaha Educational Opportunity Center to serve four counties: Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne and Etowah. The goal of the Cheaha EOC Project is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in college.

It will provide opportunities for academic development; assistance in applying for college enrollment and financial aid; and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of their high school equivalency and their postsecondary education. The EOC will provide the following services to eligible participants:

  • Academic tutoring
  • Advice and assistance in courses selection
  • Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations
  • Completion of college admissions applications
  • Information and assistance regarding FAFSA and other financial aid opportunities
  • Guidance on secondary school reentry or entry to a GED program
  • Career workshops and counseling
  • Academic counseling
  • Financial literacy seminars

The project will serve up to 850 eligible participants each year during the grant’s first lifecycle of five years. A director and two outreach advisors will be hired in November 2021.

The EOC is one of seven TRiO programs at Gadsden State and only one of two community colleges with an EOC. TRiO programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds.

Application Form (email the completed form to EOC@gadsdenstate.edu)

For more information, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/EOC

Two levels – OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 – are offered. The 10-hour course provides entry-level workers with a broad awareness of recognizing and preventing hazards in a general industry or construction workplace. Topics include an introduction to OSHA, focus on four hazards, personal protective equipment, health hazards, emergency procedures and ergonomics.

The OSHA 30 training provides more comprehensive safety and health training for workers and supervisors. The 30-hour course is intended to offer a deeper understanding of workplace hazards and the measures to prevent them. In addition to the OSHA 10 topics, participants will also learn how to communicate safety procedures and conduct safety training sessions for employees.

The course is available online; however, an in-person orientation is required. Participants must pass end-of-module quizzes and two final exams to earn an OSHA card. For more information, contact instructor Heather Tyree at hlframes@gadsdenstate.edu.

Register

What is the TABE?

The TABE is the Test for Adult Basic Education. This is a test that is used to determine your aptitudes and skill levels. The TABE is used by many companies during the hiring process or promotions as well as those individuals who are getting their GED or are going to a trade school.

Is the TABE test difficult?

The level of difficulty for the TABE test depends solely on the test taker and which areas you are strongest in.

What is the purpose of the TABE test?

The TABE exam is used by many schools to test a student’s academic readiness. The TABE is also used by many companies during the hiring process or promotions.

How long does it take to do the TABE test?

It takes roughly 1.5 hours to complete the TABE test. However, the “Complete Battery” test lasts three hours.

Can you use a calculator on the TABE test?

There are two sections of math on the TABE exam; Math Computation and Applied Math. You are allowed to use a calculator only on the Applied Math portion of the exam.

How many questions are on the TABE test?

There are a total of 195 multiple-choice questions on the TABE test. The 195 questions are divided into four sections including Reading, Language, Math Computation, and Applied Math.

What is the TABE test used for?

The TABE test is used to determine a person’s aptitude and skill levels when hiring, promoting, or selecting employees for training.

The TABE test is used to assess an individual's ability in skills that are key for their future success. TABE stands for Test of Adult Basic Education and covers many different areas in math, reading and language.

Many schools and colleges that offer associate degrees or certificates will use the TABE test to ensure there is a correlation between their teaching materials and the ability of the students in the class.

Adult learning centers also use the TABE test to see what students already know prior to starting a course, and to give an indication of learning levels at the end.

The TABE test has some similarities with the GED test but is not as challenging, and is used by some as preparation for the GED. Although the test is a little easier, it is not a good idea to get complacent. Some colleges use the TABE test as a general indicator of ability and therefore it’s important to be prepared for the exam and do your best.

 

To schedule a TABE Test, please contact:

Gadsden Campus - East Broad: Lisa Mullinax - lmullinax@gadsdenstate.edu or 256.549.8231

Ayers Campus - Anniston: Jessica Johnston - jjohnston@gadsdenstate.edu or 256.832.1206