Trade schools can be a great way to start your career. They offer many benefits like flexible schedules and the ability to work around life events such as breaking up with your partner or moving across the country with your new job.

However, trade school isn’t for everyone because it requires a lot of upfront commitment before you can even get started on this exciting path toward earning a degree.

If you are looking for trade schools that don’t require GED or diploma, then check out these top choices below.

What Is A Trade School Program?

A trade school program is an educational course that prepares you for various professional careers.

These highly focused programs offered by trade or vocational schools use hands-on training to develop your skills for a specific trade.

For example, whatever program you choose, the trade school program provides a laboratory where you can learn the trade skills in the right environment. 

Therefore, unlike other post-secondary programs, a trade school curriculum focuses only on a specific skilled trade. 

Ultimately, they help individuals with little or no experience learn the technical skills and initial experience they need to launch their careers.

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Kinds Of Trade Schools That Dont Require Ged Or Diploma?

Trade schools are not just for one career path. Rather, there are business degrees that correspond to many different jobs.

Knowing what kind of work you want to do after completing your program can help you decide where to go to business school.

Cosmetology School

The Cosmetology school sets up beauty programs to train you to help others look their best.

The cosmetology program teaches you how to cut, color, and style hair for both men and women. Nail design and makeup lessons are also given in cosmetology.

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Culinary training

If you enjoy working in the kitchen and have a thing for cooking, then you might be a good candidate for culinary school. 

This type of program will help you develop professional cooking skills and learn about the food industry.

Massage Therapy School

You can use your hands to relieve the aches and pains of others. In the massage program, you will be taught how to perform therapeutic massages. The courses will also teach you about the structure of the human body.

Medical Programs

If you are interested in healthcare, you have several different business school options. One idea is to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).  CNAs attend to the needs of patients and support nurses in their work. 

There are also trained Health care assistants to provide office support and perform some clinical tasks.

Technician Training 

Community colleges and other educational organizations have many vocational education programs focused on technical trades. 

Popular examples include plumbing, welding, and refrigeration. You can also learn to work as an auto mechanic, HVAC technician, or electrical engineer. 

Truck-driving CDL programs are also available. Truck driving is a skill that could support you in one of these other trades or serve as a career in its own right.

Community Colleges

Many community colleges offer business school programs. Students can attend a community college but major in business. 

Community colleges offer various business school programs. These programs may include electrical, culinary, and plumbing, among others.

There are several community colleges that do not require a high school diploma or GED. 

Business degrees are usually specific to career opportunities, so it is helpful to choose your major carefully.

Reminder:  Indeed, some trade schools do not require students to have a high school diploma or GED. 
However, you should be aware of state licensing requirements. You may need to get a GED to apply for a state license. 
This is why many business schools also offer GED programs. This means that you should research the licensing requirements in your state. This will help you choose the trade school suitable for you.

Trade Schools That Don’t Require Ged Or Diploma

1. Washington State University Tri-Cities

Washington State University Tri-Cities is a public, regional university offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

The school was founded in 1969 and had been offering classes since then. The University offers bachelor’s degrees in over 30 different fields of study, including business, education, and engineering technology management, to name a few. 

The University provides opportunities for students to get involved outside their normal study routine. 

This includes internships or research projects with faculty members leading those efforts on campus or offsite at local businesses where they can gain real-world experience while still getting the necessary training needed to achieve their career goals.

The cost per year at WSU Tri-Cities varies depending on how much financial aid you qualify for. This can be between $6-$7000 per year, depending on what type of student status/rankings you have earned during the college admission process.

Location: Richland, WA

Richland, WA, is a city in Benton County, Washington. It is located in the southeastern part of Washington state on the southern bank of the Columbia River.

The population was estimated at 123,000 as of July 1, 2018, by the U.S. Census Bureau, a growth rate that has been near twice that of any other major city in Benton County since 2010. 

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2. Lamar Institute Of Technology

The Lamar Institute of Technology is a public technical school that offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in various fields. The school is located in Beaumont, Texas, and was founded in 1964.

The institute offers courses to prepare students for entry-level jobs and those who want an advanced degree or certification. 

Students can also choose from various classes depending on their interests or career goals, like the computer sciences, which teaches how computers work and how they affect our lives today through hands-on projects like creating video games or designing websites. 

Students learn about programming languages such as Python while also studying topics like systems architecture, software development tools, database management systems; server administration; web development with HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript, etc.

Location: Beaumont, TX

The Lamar Institute of Technology is a public, coeducational, technical college located in Beaumont, Texas. It is one of the ten colleges that make up the Lamar University System.

The school’s mission is to provide students with the best education possible through research and integration with industry.

3. Kentucky Community And Technical College System (KCTCS)

KCTCS is a public, two-year, state-supported system of colleges and universities. The KCTCS offers affordable, accessible, high-quality education and workforce training to students in more than 30 locations throughout the state.

KCTCS provides programs at the associate’s degree level (A.A.), baccalaureate degrees (BBA/BSC), or certificates (Certificates). 

You can earn an occupational certificate at any of their campuses as well. There are over 500 classes offered per semester on campus or online for you to choose from.

Location: Versailles, KY

Located in Versailles, KY, the School of Business at Central Kentucky Technical College is the perfect choice if you are looking for a trade school that doesn’t require a GED or diploma.

This school offers many programs to help you land an entry-level job in your field of choice.

The Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration trains students in managing companies and businesses through their financials, human resources management, and marketing strategies. 

Students will also learn about accounting principles and how they apply them to real-world scenarios, such as businesses selling products or services directly to customers via web portals such as Amazon Prime Video or Netflix.

Next is the Associate Of Arts In General Studies, which allows students to explore topics like literature, arts & culture, history, and language arts/language acquisition skills development.

The Associate Of Arts In Liberal Studies teaches students about various areas within liberal arts, including philosophy (theory), logic/critical thinking skills development & ethical reasoning.

4. Old Dominion University

This is a public university in Norfolk, Virginia. The University was established in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. 

Old Dominion’s campus is located on a 200-acre site on the southern bank of the Elizabeth River at 800 East Main Street in downtown Norfolk. 

In 1964, it became an independent institution; since then, it has grown into one of Virginia’s largest institutions, with an enrollment exceeding 24,000 students each year.

The Old Dominion University offers over 100 undergraduate programs and over 300 graduate degree programs#5

Location: Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, VA, is home to a number of trade schools. The city is located in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and has a population of about 245,000. 

It is known for its shipbuilding industry and as home to the Norfolk Naval Station.

5. Gardener-Webb University

Gardener-Webb University is a private, coeducational university located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. There are graduate and undergraduate programs in a variety of fields.

Location: Boiling Springs, NC

Are you looking for a trade school that doesn’t require a GED or diploma? Look no further than our list of online and campus-based programs.

The best part about these schools is that they offer flexible learning options and provide high-quality education at affordable tuition rates. 

Many trade schools also offer students the chance to earn credits while continuing their careers by attending classes remotely via video conferencing technology.

6. Campbellsville University Online

This is a private Christian university located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. The University offers a variety of online programs that do not require a GED or diploma.

Campbellsville University Online offers bachelor’s degree programs in the following fields:

Accounting And Finance

Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSAC) with concentrations in Financial Reporting; Taxation; Auditing & Assurance Services (TAAS); Risk Management & Insurance Solutions (RMIS)

Business Administration 

The Business Administration program with concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, International Business, and Strategic Marketing Communication Designations

Location: Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University is a private, non-profit university located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. 

It offers over 80 undergraduate and graduates degrees in various fields, including business administration, education, and nursing.

Campbellsville University was founded on October 1, 1875, by merging two neighboring colleges. The State Normal School, now Central State University, and Transylvania Male High School. 

Today it has grown to become one of the largest private universities in Kentucky, with an enrollment exceeding 5,000 students, as well as providing more than 100 areas for study through its online programs or campus-based classes.

This expertise includes accounting technology, management finance, international business information systems, marketing communications, psychology, sociology, political science, social work, sports, medical and physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.

7. Purdue University Global (PUG)

Purdue University Global (PUG) is a private, non-profit, online university offering more than 100 programs in business, engineering, technology, nursing and health sciences, education, and liberal arts. 

At PUG, you can earn an Associate of Arts degree or an Associate of Science degree designed to prepare you for entry-level jobs in these fields.

Purdue University Global is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an autonomous agency under the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

CHEA’s mission is to promote continuous improvement in higher education while working at every level toward meeting its standards. In other words, this means protecting students from bad schools and helping them find good ones.

Location Online – West Lafayette, IN

The campus is located in West Lafayette, IN. The Purdue University campus is a satellite campus of Purdue University and houses the new PUG program. 

The school offers an online GED program that can be completed through Pearson VUE or online courses on its website.

Students must live within driving distance of their local high school to qualify for these programs and other schools that require GEDs, such as Kaplan Career Institute’s Aviation Repair Technology and Kaplan College’s Automotive Body Shop Technician programs.

8. Walden University Online/Campus

Walden University is a private, non-profit institution of higher education. It is located in the heart of New York City and offers degree programs via its online or campus-based options.

Walden University provides online and campus-based degree programs that prepare students to succeed in their careers and lives. 

The University has over 1,000 faculty members who are all experts in their respective fields. This means you can receive high-quality instruction from professors who have been trained locally and internationally.

9. Bakersfield College

The Bakersfield College offers admission to applicants who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent as long as they are 18 years of age or older.

All male students between 18 and 25 must be registered with the Selective Service to receive financial aid. Applicants must provide a driver’s license, social security number, and information about their parents.

The Accrediting Commission has accredited the Institution for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

10. Cerritos College

The Cerritos College provides entrance to students 18 years or older who do not have high school diplomas or GEDs.

This accredited institution also offers a Re-Entry program for students who have taken time off before returning to school. 

The program offers students personalized assistance in the application process, free workshops, and scholarship opportunities.

FAQs

Conclusion

Trade schools are an excellent way to learn a new skill, earn money and give back to the community. 

Trade school graduates often have higher-paying jobs than their non-trade counterparts because they have a real-world experience they can use when working in their field of study.

This article on trade schools that don’t require GED or diploma proves that you can be admitted into one of these prestigious institutions with a little requirement.