A Winning Formula: The GED Pathway at USM
January 15, 2026
USM’s GED Program offers adults and young people a second chance to earn an internationally recognized diploma and move confidently toward higher education or career success.
The University of St. Martin is well known as a hub of activity and opportunity. One of the many options USM offers the community of St. Maarten is the GED Program.
GED stands for General Education Diploma and it was originally developed in the mid 20th Century to fill a need for the soldiers and service people who came home after World War II. Many had enlisted and fought without completing high school, and upon returning home, they wanted to attend universities, and these former soldiers had no interest in going back to get their high school diplomas. They had grown up and needed to move forward, not back.
Since those days, the GED has grown to become an internationally recognized accreditation that stands in for the traditional high school four+ years degree. Students in St. Maarten have been taking advantage of the GED Program at USM for more than 25 years. If they didn’t finish high school, or if they earned a diploma that doesn’t give them a level of accreditation that would allow them to be accepted to a University, they often turn to USM to earn their GED.
This semester, Spring 2026, is set to begin a new GED class on February 23rd. The class is held five days per week for 15 weeks, approximately four hours per day. There are four subjects that are presented: Mathematics, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Dedicated instructors provide lessons that prepare students to succeed in this program.
After the classes conclude, in June, students can sign up to take their exams in those four subject areas. The exams are delivered on campus at dedicated computers that receive the exams straight from GED International. Once all four exams are passed, they have their diploma and are ready to move on to a university of their choice or perhaps a career in health care, law enforcement or the Coast Guard.
The GED diploma is accepted in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and many other locations around the globe. FYI: Applying to the University of St. Martin is a very affordable way to start that journey, and the staff and instructors are excited to help everyone achieve their goals.
Call 542-5171 or stop by the University offices for more information on how the GED Program can provide a way for anyone to earn the equivalent of an academic high school diploma.
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GED stands for General Education Diploma and it was originally developed in the mid 20th Century to fill a need for the soldiers and service people who came home after World War II. Many had enlisted and fought without completing high school, and upon returning home, they wanted to attend universities, and these former soldiers had no interest in going back to get their high school diplomas. They had grown up and needed to move forward, not back.
Since those days, the GED has grown to become an internationally recognized accreditation that stands in for the traditional high school four+ years degree. Students in St. Maarten have been taking advantage of the GED Program at USM for more than 25 years. If they didn’t finish high school, or if they earned a diploma that doesn’t give them a level of accreditation that would allow them to be accepted to a University, they often turn to USM to earn their GED.
This semester, Spring 2026, is set to begin a new GED class on February 23rd. The class is held five days per week for 15 weeks, approximately four hours per day. There are four subjects that are presented: Mathematics, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Dedicated instructors provide lessons that prepare students to succeed in this program.
After the classes conclude, in June, students can sign up to take their exams in those four subject areas. The exams are delivered on campus at dedicated computers that receive the exams straight from GED International. Once all four exams are passed, they have their diploma and are ready to move on to a university of their choice or perhaps a career in health care, law enforcement or the Coast Guard.
The GED diploma is accepted in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and many other locations around the globe. FYI: Applying to the University of St. Martin is a very affordable way to start that journey, and the staff and instructors are excited to help everyone achieve their goals.
Call 542-5171 or stop by the University offices for more information on how the GED Program can provide a way for anyone to earn the equivalent of an academic high school diploma.
Latest News →
