A High School Equivalency (HSE) certificate is comparable to a traditional high school
diploma to obtain employment or pursue education and training in Missouri. The Missouri
State Board of Education approves of two HSE tests:
The GED is made up of four subjects, broken into separate exams. You do not need to
take all sections at once. See an overview of the GED by subject area.
Test takers will be tested in five core areas: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science,
and Social Studies in separate exams. You do not need to take all five exams at once.
Review the Missouri HiSET Exam for information on eligibility, accepted identification, associated costs, frequently
asked questions, etc.
When you're ready to take either exam, we hope you consider using the MSU Testing Center.
Keep in mind that scheduling for exams is done entirely through the individual testing
websites. And note that accommodations must be arranged through the individual testing
service at the time of registration.
Neither the Testing Center nor Missouri State University maintain GED or HiSET transcripts.
HSE documents (transcripts and certificates) are only available through DiplomaSender.com. You may also use DiplomaSender.com to submit your scores to colleges and universities
when completing admission applications.
Additional Options
Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) provides free virtual and face-to-face classroom instruction to eligible Missouri
citizens in reading, language, mathematics, preparation for HSE exams, and more! AEL
programs across Missouri offer free services to anyone who is at least 17 years of
age (or 16 years of age who have met Missouri’s compulsory school attendance requirements).
To be eligible for AEL services, individuals must also have one of the following barriers:
basic skills deficiency/low literacy levels based on assessment, lack of high school
diploma or equivalency, or learning the English language. Explore Adult Education and Literacy Program locations online.
The MSU-West Plains campus offers remote classes, ELL courses, and in-person assistance
at multiple locations. Explore West Plains AEL options. If you have any questions about the West Plains offerings, please call 417-255-7744.
If you're interested in earning a high school diploma, you may consider the MERS Goodwill Excel Center. The Excel Center is an accredited tuition-free high school that gives adults the
opportunity to earn an actual high school diploma. Students may also work towards
career certifications and/or enroll in dual credit courses to begin earning college
credits.
The MERS Goodwill Excel Center offers six locations in Missouri: Springfield, St.
Louis, Poplar Bluff, Columbia, Cape Girardeau, and Florrisant.
