Yes, you can say you graduated with a GED,and it is both accurate and widely accepted. While the GED (General Educational Development) is technically a high school equivalency credential, not a traditional diploma, employers, colleges, and government agencies recognize it as proof of high school-level academic achievement. Therefore, stating you “graduated with a GED” is a common and appropriate way to communicate your credential in everyday language.
Formally, you earned a GED credential by passing four subject tests, not by completing a four-year high school program. However, on job applications, resumes, or verbal conversations, phrases like “I graduated with a GED” or “I have my GED” are standard and understood to mean you hold a recognized high school equivalency certificate.
Best Practices for Professional and Academic Settings
- On resumes: Write “GED – High School Equivalency” or “High School Equivalency (GED)” under education.
- In interviews: Saying “I graduated with a GED” is perfectly acceptable and concise.
- For college applications: Use the official term “GED credential” if prompted, but “graduated with a GED” is still clear in personal statements.
Avoid implying you attended a specific high school or received a traditional diploma,this could be misleading. But there is no stigma in stating you earned your credential through the GED. Over 20 million Americans have done the same, and institutions treat it as functionally equivalent to a diploma for admissions and hiring.
The U.S. Department of Education and all 50 states recognize the GED as valid proof of secondary education completion.
Yes you can say you graduated with a GED with confidence. It reflects accomplishment, perseverance, and readiness for the next step,whether college, military, or career.
Own your achievement; the credential holds real value in the eyes of employers and educators alike.