A diploma is an official document that certifies you've completed a course of study or earned a degree. When you graduate from high school, you receive a diploma proving you finished all the required coursework. Colleges and universities also award diplomas to students who complete their programs.

Diplomas matter because they serve as permanent proof of your achievement. If you apply for a job ten years after graduating, your diploma confirms you did the work. Many careers require specific diplomas: you need a high school diploma to attend most colleges, and you need a college degree to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.

Today, diplomas are often fancy certificates with special seals, signatures, and sometimes Latin phrases, designed to be framed and displayed.

People sometimes use diploma more broadly to mean any certificate of completion. You might receive a diploma from summer camp or a music program. While these certificates are meaningful, the term most commonly refers to the official documents marking major educational milestones like graduating from high school or college.