Adult Basic Education

Ready to take the next step in your education and career? UC Aspire’s adult basic education program provides learners with the tools and resources they need for success — including live instruction, test prep materials, and free access to Essential Education, a study program that allows you to keep learning on your own outside of class. UC Aspire offers both online and in-person adult basic education programs. 

All learners must attend in-person orientation and complete required testing before starting adult basic education classes. During orientation, you’ll get a chance to:

• Learn about UC Aspire’s adult basic education programs and available services
• Meet UC Aspire instructors and staff 
• Develop an individual learning plan tailored to your goals
• Take placement tests in reading and mathematics to see what you already know

UC Aspire’s online adult basic education classes are designed to maximize your learning. Our RLA, social studies, and science classes are 8 weeks long; our math class is 16 weeks long. You can focus on one subject at a time or take all four subjects at once, depending on your needs and availability. UC Aspire enrolls new learners approximately 4 times per year.

Minimum technology requirements

Learners in UC Aspire’s online program must have access to a laptop or desktop computer, as well as WiFi. This program cannot be completed on a phone. Your device must have: 

• Windows 10 or macOS 14 (or higher)
• Working webcam, microphone, and speaker (no headphones or headsets)
• One display screen only (multi-monitor setups are not permitted)
• Stable internet connection with at least 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload 

UC Aspire’s free 16-week GED Prep Program at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College is designed for adult learners. The program provides in-person evening classes, personalized tutoring and access to online study tools to help participants prepare for the GED exam and the next step in their education or career.

Classes are typically held Monday through Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. This program is currently offered twice per year; once in the fall, and once in the spring.  

Orientation and classes are held on UC Clermont’s Batavia campus.

MATH: UC Aspire’s math curriculum emphasizes fluency with rational numbers, including performing operations and converting between decimals, fractions, and percents. Learners will acquire practical problem-solving strategies using ratios, proportions, and algebraic reasoning. Interpreting data, analyzing statistics, and applying geometric concepts are also emphasized.

SOCIAL STUDIES: UC Aspire’s Social Studies course covers key topics such as U.S. history, civics and government, geography, and economics. Learners will engage with primary and secondary sources, interpret charts and maps, and build content knowledge.

REASONING THROUGH LANGUAGE ARTS: UC Aspire’s Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA) course is designed to equip learners with the essential reading, language, and writing skills needed to succeed on the GED exam. The curriculum focuses on grammar, punctuation, reading comprehension, and writing techniques, with targeted lessons and structured practice.

SCIENCE: UC Aspire’s Science course is designed to help learners build scientific reasoning skills and content knowledge in core domains including Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science. Learners develop skills in reading and interpreting scientific texts, graphs, and charts, and apply the scientific method to evaluate hypotheses, evidence, and conclusions.