how should a college course be credited while in high school homeschool

by Moshe McKenzie 3 min read

Most college level classes are between 3.0 and 5.0 college credits. But for your homeschooler? They’re worth 1.0 high school credit. 3.0-5.0 college credit class = 1.0 high school credit 1.0-2.0 college Credit Class = 0.5 high school credit

In the USA, one high school credit is equal to an entire one-year course. The student should have around 180 completed hours of instruction for the specific subject to finish a course. A completed semester of 60 homeschool hours is equal to half a credit.

Full Answer

Can a high school student take community college classes without credit?

Oct 15, 2017 · While program titles may vary, the concept is the same – public, private and homeschool students have the opportunity to earn college credit while satisfying their high school graduation program’s required course. The credits students earn in the program count to satisfy both their high school graduation requirements and apply towards a college degree or …

Do I need to get my homeschool program accredited?

Feb 22, 2016 · Many teens take community college courses either to serve as high school credit or to receive both high school and college credit at the same time through a dual enrollment designation (TheHomeSchoolMom offers a free course planner for this).

Why do high school students take community college classes?

Cons: Grades earned in college courses, even in high school, stay with the student through college. If teens are not ready to buckle down and work hard, they might end up lowering their college GPA before they even get to college. Not all credits transfer.

Should I take college classes in high school or high school?

Many states require 1 credit of Fine Arts, but if your homeschool high schooler likes music, art, dance, photography or drama, they can earn more credits. Here’s a post and and Homeschool Highschool Podcast episode to help. And for not-artsy types, here are some ideas. Electives

How do homeschoolers write transcripts?

A homeschool transcript should include:Student's name.Your homeschool name (see "Should You Name Your Homeschool?")Your homeschool address (usually your home)Your phone number.Student's date of birth.Graduation date (use projected graduation date for pre-graduation submissions)More items...

What is a drawback of getting college credits in high school?

While earning college credits while still in high school may have some costs associated with it, they are mainly incidental charges (such as a fee to take an advanced placement test) compared with the cost of paying tuition at a two or four-year college.

How does the credit system work in high school?

Most high school courses are worth either 1.0 credit (for a one-year course) or 0.5 credit (for a semester course). The credit assigned to a course generally takes into account course content, instruction time, and the time the student spends completing course work.Jan 15, 2020

What do colleges think of homeschoolers?

Fortunately, college admissions is handled very similarly for homeschoolers as it is for traditionally schooled students. In fact, many admissions offices actively seek out homeschoolers. Admissions officers evaluate each student within the context of his/her own background and the opportunities they've had.

Do colleges prefer AP or dual enrollment?

Many students believe that colleges prefer AP courses over dual enrollment courses or vice versa. However, this is generally false. Both kinds of courses provide students college-level rigor for a low cost.Dec 16, 2021

Do AP classes count as college credit?

One of the biggest perks of AP classes is that you can get college credit as long as you score well on the AP Exam at the end of the semester. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Many colleges accept a score of 4 or 5 on an AP exam as college credit in that subject area.Sep 27, 2021

What are college credits?

College credits represent how much effort a student puts into a particular course, over the course of one semester (usually 15 – 16 weeks). The most common way to measure credits is by using the number of hours put in by a student. Your degree is considered complete if you have fulfilled a certain number of credits.

What are 60 credits?

A two –year program equals approximately 60 credits; a four-year baccalaureate equals approximately 120 credits.Jan 2, 2022

What do course credits mean?

According to Learn.org, “College credits measure the number of applied hours that are recognized for successful completion of a particular course of study.” In simpler terms, they are ultimately a way of equalizing the time spent learning and studying for each college class.Sep 3, 2020

Does Harvard accept homeschoolers?

Harvard University Harvard's policy is to hold homeschoolers to the same admissions standards as other applicants. Harvard advises students to distinguish themselves in some way during the high school years. “Some show unusual academic promise through experience or achievements in study or research.

Can Homeschool students take AP exams?

Parents and students cannot order AP Exams directly. Students who are homeschooled, independent study, attend virtual schools, or attend schools that don't administer AP Exams will need to find a school where they can test.

Do homeschoolers do better in college?

This research also reveals that homeschooled students report that they achieve higher academic success in college and view their entire college experience more positively than traditionally educated students.

Who Can Participate in Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment programs are generally available to high school students in the 10 th, 11 th and 12 th grades but, in rare circumstances, younger students are admitted based on an excellent academic record or above-average entrance test scores.

What to Consider Regarding Dual Enrollment?

When considering dual enrollment for your homeschool student, do not make the decision based solely on financial information. Some students will save money and others will not. The difference is based on the kinds of courses the student signs up for and the type of college chosen by the student for dual enrollment purposes.

What are the requirements for a 4 year homeschool?

When sitting down to create a 4 year homeschool high school plan, you need to consider these 3 things: 1. State Requirements. 2. College Requirements. 3. Your Own Requirements. State Requirements for Homeschoolers. Each state has a different set of graduation requirements for homeschoolers.

What to consider when thinking about credits?

When thinking about credits, there are 3 things to consider: 1. How many credits are needed to graduate. 2. What determines a credit and how to calculate them in the gpa. 3. Where in the transcript and school profile to mention credits.

How many hours does a 1.0 credit class take?

1.0 Credit = 150-180 hours or an hour long class 5x a week for 36 weeks. 0.5 Credit = 75-90 hours or an hour long class 5x a week for 18 weeks. AP Courses or Labs generally require a lot more hours than 150. Even so, students still earn 1.0 credit for that class.

What states use credit values higher than most?

And just a heads up. If you’re from the states of California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Idaho, or Indiana, your state uses a credit value higher than most. In California and Nebraska, for example, one year long class is worth 10.0 credits.

What is a credit in high school?

A credit is a unit used to measure the completion of a subject studied by a student. Most high schools calculate a year long class as 1.0 credit and a semester class as 0.5 credit. For homeschoolers, though, calculating a credit gets a little muddy.

How many hours does one credit equal?

The Carnegie Unit is the most common unit used by high schools. It’s based on the amount of instructional time spent on a subject. One credit equals around 150 hours a year or 36 weeks of 50 min sessions per day per subject.

How many credits do you need to get into high school?

The average number of total high school credits for college prep students is generally between 21-28 credits. The more rigorous the prep, the more credits one tends to have. Think carefully before going above 35 credits for a 4 year high school.

How many credits do you need to get a college degree?

Typically, a full-time undergraduate completes 12 credits per semester, which would be equal to taking 4 three-credit courses online.

Is homeschooling good for college?

Homeschool High School. There are many benefits to enrolling your homeschooling student in online college courses. Not only do they allow your student to benefit from earning college credit as you start thinking about college, you can also help prepare your child academically for the rigor of college — and save on tuition — before your student ...

How much does StraighterLine cost?

Online college courses can be extremely affordable and flexible. StraighterLine courses, for example, start at $59 with a $99 monthly membership and include eTextbooks free.

Who is Jamie Gaddy?

Jamie Gaddy, B.S., M.Ed., Ed.D. has been a college education professor for over 17 years. Education has been a part of her life in both the classroom and as a principal. Six children later found her dissatisfied with traditional school and homeschool became the better fit. She is also a pastor’s wife, editor, and entrepreneur who now homeschools ...

Is it easy to get started in college?

It’s easy to get started and it doesn’t cost an arm and leg. Your student can get a head start on a college degree while in high school, explore interests at a higher level, gain important college experience, and your family can save money on college costs.

What is a homeschool liaison?

Most colleges now have information on their websites about admission for homeschooled students, and many have a particular admissions staff member who specializes in working with homeschoolers, sometimes called a homeschool liaison or the homeschool admissions officer. When planning your high schooler's studies, a practical approach is to use information from colleges and universities to help decide what course work will ultimately appear on your child's final transcript.

What is the purpose of homeschool transcripts?

A homeschool transcript full of parent-graded courses and independent learning done at home may not by itself convince university admissions counselors of a teen’s preparation for college-level work.

What do universities want to see in a child?

Keep in mind that some universities will want to see evidence that your child studied in a traditional way, using recognized text books, taking tests, and earning grades. Other colleges may be enthusiastic about non-traditional approaches, including work on original art, English, social studies, mathematics, and science projects.

What are the executive functions of a child?

Additional executive function skills your child will need will include time management, self-discipline, stress management, assertiveness, and life skills. A kid who doesn't remember to eat well and get the laundry done will struggle even if he or she is academically well-prepared.

How many sciences are required for admission to a university?

For example, a university may ask only for "three sciences" for general admission to the university—but specify that one of those sciences be physics if a student wishes to also gain admission to the university's school of engineering.

Why is it important to have required courses?

While required courses can be important for college admission—or at least learning in amounts and ways that can be equated to or substituted for course work —if your child burns out checking "required" boxes, he or she is less likely to be interested in college and maybe even less prepared.

Who is Jeanne Faulconer?

Jeanne Faulconer. A popular speaker at homeschooling conferences, business groups, and parents’ groups, Jeanne Potts Faulconer homeschooled her three sons in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Virginia for twenty years.

Pros and Cons of Earning College Credit During Homeschool High School

Earning college credit during high school is all the rage these days. Public schools, private schools and homeschools are all pushing their juniors and seniors to knock out college credits while still in high school.

Vicki Tillman

Blogger, curriculum developer at 7SistersHomeschool.com, counselor, life and career coach, SYMBIS guide, speaker, prayer person. 20+year veteran homeschool mom.

What are the best things about homeschooling?

Electives. Homeschool high schoolers can fill the remaining needed credits for graduation with electives that are meaningful to them . This is one of the best things about homeschooling high school. Teens can really lean into interests and talents or explore until they find an interest or talent.

How many credits are required for ELA?

English/Language Arts. English/Language Arts, ELA, English or Language Arts are all names for the same course. Most states require four credits in ELA, one credit per year. ELA is the most cumbersome credit of all. It generally covers five different areas each year: Literature/Reading.

How many credits do you need for history?

History/Social Studies. Course Requirements for History or Social Studies vary from state to state. However, many states require: For states or colleges that require more than three credits (many require four credits) we often find these History/Social Studies classes needed for graduation:

What does accreditation mean for schools?

Briefly, accreditation of schools in the US means that an outside agency has reviewed a school based on a given set of standards, and certified that the school meets or exceeds those standards. This is not a one-time action, but requires periodic review and renewal in order to maintain this “seal of approval.”.

Where does Karen Skelton live?

She has taught US history in a homeschooling co-op and is a freelance genealogist. She and her husband, Robert, live in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Robert is pursuing a PhD in US. History. Their children embraced the concept of “the world as their classroom” and are currently exploring new paths in Oregon and Australia – because the learning adventures never end.

Is accreditation required for homeschooling?

Accreditation for homeschoolers applies mostly to those in very specific situations like potentially returning to public high school, and even that is only in certain localities. For the rest, accreditation is a nice-to-have, not a must-have.

Does accreditation guarantee quality?

So while accreditation does not guarantee quality, it does provide assurance that there is oversight and adherence to standards. Some parents receive peace of mind knowing that they’ve invested in a program that has been reviewed and approved by an accrediting agency.

Do colleges require an accredited diploma?

Colleges/universities have a wide array of factors to evaluate for student admission: coursework, standardized test scores, letters of reference, written essays, personal interview, etc.; thus having an accredited diploma was not required.

What is the purpose of community college?

While the primary purpose of community college is to provide an education to college students, most now also offer classes to people of varying ages and levels of education, from children to senior citizens. Many community colleges allow high school students to take certain classes. Sometimes high school students are only able to enroll in ...

Why is it important to have enough free time before enrolling in community college?

As mentioned above, it's important to make sure you have enough free time in your schedule before you enroll in a community college course. By choosing classes that fill well in your schedule, you will make your community college experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

Why do you take community college classes in summer?

Taking a community college class during the summer gives you more time to concentrate on it because you won't have to balance a full high school course load at the same time. Don't try to take a community college class if you are already busy with your high school classes and activities.

What to do if your high school doesn't offer AP classes?

If your high school doesn't offer certain advanced classes, taking them at a community college can be a great way to strengthen your transcript. If your high school doesn't offer many or even any AP classes, you may be concerned that your school's lack of challenging classes will put you behind other students when applying to and starting college.

What does it mean to take community college classes?

Taking community college classes may mean you have to pay tuition fees and other expenses. ( Tax Credits /Flickr) Read the sections below to learn more about how to make smart decisions when taking community college classes and minimize negative impacts.

Do you have to submit a high school transcript to take a college course?

Sometimes high school students are only able to enroll in introductory classes, and they may also be required to submit their high school transcript or a teacher recommendation as proof that they can handle a college-level course. Some high schools have organized programs with community colleges that allow high school students to take college ...

Do you have to include community college classes on your transcript?

Your community college classes may be included on your high school transcript, labeled in such a way to show they are college-level classes, or, if not, you can include your community college transcript with your applications. Taking community college classes in high school shows that you can take initiative, are hard working, ...