How many credits does a homeschool high schooler need?
How high school credits work for homeschoolers: what a credit is, typical totals by subject, half credits, and counting middle-school work.
Updated · Yamoreh Co-op
Homeschoolers usually aren't bound by a state's public-school graduation requirements, but colleges compare applicants against them. A plan of 22–26 credits covering the core subjects is a sound, widely accepted target.
What a credit is
One credit is one full-year course, usually 120–180 hours of instruction and study. A semester course or a lighter course is half a credit. Pick an hour rule, write it on the transcript's key, and use it every year.
A typical four-year plan
| Subject | Typical credits | Selective colleges often look for |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3–4 | 4, through Algebra II or beyond |
| Science | 3 | 3–4, with labs |
| Social studies | 3 | 3–4 |
| World language | 2 | 2–3 of the same language |
| Fine arts | 1 | 1 |
| Physical education / health | 1–1.5 | — |
| Electives | 4–6 | — |
| Total | 22–26 |
Check the admissions pages of the colleges your student is considering; some state universities list exact course requirements, and they apply to homeschoolers too.
Keep credits honest
- Log hours as you go, or at least keep the curriculum, reading list and graded work.
- Don't award a full credit for a short course; half credits are normal.
- Count dual-credit courses as high school credit too: commonly one high school credit for a 3-semester-hour college course.
Yamoreh Co-op tracks credits in each core area for every student and shows what's still needed, so a missing science credit shows up in junior year, not on the application. Try the GPA calculator to see credits and GPA together.
Common questions
How many hours is one high school credit?
Commonly 120–180 hours of work for a full credit (about 150 is typical), or 120 hours under the traditional Carnegie unit. A lab science often runs toward the high end.
Can middle school courses count for high school credit?
High-school-level courses taken early, such as Algebra I, a world language or a lab science, can count. List them on the transcript in their own year and note they were taken in 7th or 8th grade.