What is a Diploma?

People that complete bachelors, masters and higher degree programs all receive diplomas.
Diploma is Greek for "folded paper".
Students may receive diplomas at graduation ceremonies.
Many trade schools require students studying to become a skilled laborer to hold a high school diploma.
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  • Written By: Tricia Ellis-Christensen
  • Edited By: O. Wallace
  • Last Modified Date: 15 August 2015
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Diploma is a Greek word that translates as folded paper. The term usually applies to the certificate people receive when they complete studies in high school, college, trade or professional schools, or the like. It’s a bit ironic that the word is used currently, since diplomas are seldom folded, and are either handed or mailed to graduating students in flat form.

Not all countries use the term and or they use it more limited fashion than does the United States. The US tends to use the term to indicate successful completion of a program of study and to refer to the document received at or after a formal ceremony celebrating completion of study. Generally, high school students, trade school students, people receiving an Associated Arts or Associated Science Degree, and people receiving bachelor’s, master’s and higher degrees all receive diplomas in the US. Canada, conversely, tends to use diploma to refer to graduating from studies at colleges that specialize in arts and technology. In the UK and Australia, diploma may refer specifically to the level of studies completed, while the document you receive in a graduation ceremony may be called a testimonium.


Many people wonder if they need to keep their diplomas to prove they have graduated from a particular school or program. Actually, it’s fairly easy to fake this document, so it is generally more helpful to keep a copy of certified transcripts from your school. It’s not a bad idea to hang onto diplomas, and they are frequently suitably decorative and very nice for framing. A number of people, especially with advanced degrees keep what is called a “vanity wall” in their office, where they frame and display each diploma and board certification document to prove competency to clients. Usually high school diplomas are not displayed, but again, they are often attractive and represent a significant amount of scholastic work.

When you graduate, and unless you’re graduating from a very small school, it’s unlikely you’ll be presented with an actual diploma at the ceremony. These are usually sent a few weeks after you’ve completed a study program. It is usually too confusing to try to keep student names in order during large graduation ceremonies. Sometimes students who fail to meet all requirements for graduation will receive a document similar to a diploma, called a certificate of completion, and at other times, certain programs only offer completion certificates and do not offer actual graduation or a degree.


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Post 2

AZgirl my employers have never asked to see my high school diploma, so I know what you're talking about. But if you think about it, what does a H.S. diploma really qualify a graduate to do? Kids can start working at age 16! Heck, in this economy, not even a college degree is a guarantee for a good career.

Post 1

How can someone prove they graduated from High School? I know a girl who lied on her resume about receiving her diploma. Apparently the requirement isn't too important because none of her 4 employers have ever figured it out!

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