English Composition 1
Meets the composition subject for grades 7-12.
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →South CarolinaHomeschool
South Carolina homeschool high school courses: college-level work for grades 9-12
Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The short answer
South Carolina homeschool high school courses must cover reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies, plus composition and literature in grades 7-12, over at least 180 days, under 59-65-40, 59-65-45 or 59-65-47. Under Option 3, an association of at least 50 members sets standards. Parents choose the courses, including college-level ones.
The rule
Under S.C. Code 59-65-47, a homeschool under an association of at least 50 members needs a parent with a high school diploma or GED, at least 180 instructional days, reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies, plus composition and literature in grades 7-12, a plan book, a portfolio and a semiannual progress report.
The rule asks for 180 days; five core subjects, plus composition and literature in grades 7-12; no state credit count for graduation. The legal source is S.C. Code 59-65-47.
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1, 59-65-40 | District approval; diploma or GED plus basic skills exam, or a bachelor's; 180 days of 4.5 hours; statewide testing | [1] |
| Option 2, 59-65-45 | South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools; diploma or GED; 180 days | [1] |
| Option 3, 59-65-47 | Association of at least 50 members; diploma or GED; 180 days | [1] |
| Subjects, all options | Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies; composition and literature in grades 7-12 | [1] |
| Option 3 records | Plan book or diary, portfolio, semiannual progress report | [1] |
| Oversight | State Department of Education reviews Option 3 standards each year | [1] |
Who decides
South Carolina Department of Education (reviews association standards); your school district (Option 1) or homeschool association (Options 2 and 3) decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Which credits count
What counts
- Any course that fits the five core subjects, plus composition and literature in grades 7-12, recorded in the plan book and portfolio.
- College-level courses, which the parent can list on the high school transcript as the association allows.
- Credit for college-level courses toward a degree only via a college transcript, when a college reviews and posts it.
What does not count
- A state graduation credit count: the statute does not set one for homeschools.
- College credit from a course alone; it needs a college to post it.
- Skipping the plan book, portfolio or semiannual progress report your association requires.
Courses that fit
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of South Carolina Department of Education (reviews association standards); your school district (Option 1) or homeschool association (Options 2 and 3).
American Literature
Meets the literature subject for grades 7-12.
Self-paced online American Literature course (ENG 201). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
College Algebra
A strong high school mathematics course.
Self-paced online College Algebra course (Math 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
US History 1
Social studies at college level.
Self-paced online US History 1 course (HIST 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Intro to Biology 1
A science course for the high school years.
Self-paced online Intro to Biology 1 course (Biology 100). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Psychology
A popular social science elective.
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →The path via a college transcript
- Choose your legal optionOption 1 through the district, Option 2 through the state association, or Option 3 through an association of at least 50 members.
- Read your association's standardsAsk how it wants college-level courses shown in the plan book, portfolio and progress report.
- Pick courses by subjectCover composition and literature first, then mathematics, science and social studies.
- Ask colleges in writingIf you want college credit later, ask the colleges on your teen's list whether they review ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit posted via a college transcript.
- Keep the recordsFile each course outline, grades and work samples in the portfolio.
Thomas Edison State University (TESU), University of the People and Newlane University are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. South Carolina universities decide for themselves, so ask in writing.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
What it costs
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study, homeschool lifetime | $250 once, every course | $250 gives homeschool families lifetime access to all UPI Study courses. | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Sophia Learning | $99 a month | Pay monthly while courses are in progress | 15 Nov 2026 |
| StraighterLine | $99 a month plus $79 per course | Pay monthly plus a fee for each course | 15 Nov 2026 |
Prices checked 15 Nov 2026. Local technical college dual enrolment is another route; ask the college for its homeschool rules and price.
What UPI Study cannot do here
- UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited; our courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and become college credit only via a college transcript.
- We cannot tell you any South Carolina college or university will give credit for them; each one decides.
- We are not a homeschool association and do not keep your plan book, portfolio or progress reports.
- We do not issue a high school diploma.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
Confirm in writing first
Before you enrol, ask your association how it records college-level courses, and ask each college on your teen's list in writing whether it reviews ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit.
The three legal options
South Carolina gives parents three ways to homeschool, all in Title 59 Chapter 65 of the state code. Option 1, under 59-65-40, runs through the school district board, asks for 180 days of at least four and a half hours, and includes the statewide testing programme. Option 2, under 59-65-45, runs through the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Option 3, under 59-65-47, runs through any homeschool association with at least 50 members whose standards meet the law.
Option 3 is the most common choice for families who want flexibility. The association sets its own standards within the law, and the State Department of Education reviews them each year. Each association reports the number and grade levels of its students to school districts by 30 January.
- Option 1: district approval and testing.
- Option 2: the state independent homeschool association.
- Option 3: an association of at least 50 members.
What high school must cover
All three options ask for reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies, and in grades 7-12 composition and literature as well. The law does not set a number of high school credits for graduation; parents and associations decide that. Option 3 families keep a plan book or diary of subjects and activities, a portfolio of work, and a semiannual progress report with attendance and assessments in each basic subject.
College-level courses fit easily into this framework. A composition course meets the composition subject; an American literature course meets literature; college algebra, biology and US history cover the other core areas.
Adding college-level courses
Many families add college-level courses in the last two years of high school to stretch a strong student and save on later tuition. UPI Study courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended. They count on the homeschool transcript as the parent and association decide, and become college credit only via a college transcript, when a college reviews and posts them.
Before you plan around college credit, ask the colleges your teen is considering. Write to admissions and the registrar, name the course, and ask whether they review ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. Keep the replies. Partner colleges such as Thomas Edison State University, University of the People and Newlane University consider such credit; others decide for themselves.
Questions people ask
How many credits does a South Carolina homeschooler need to graduate?
The state code does not set a graduation credit count for homeschools. Parents decide, within the standards of their option. Many families follow a college-preparatory plan that matches what the colleges on their list expect.
What is Option 3 homeschooling in South Carolina?
Option 3, under S.C. Code 59-65-47, lets parents homeschool through an association with at least 50 members. The association sets standards that meet the law, and the State Department of Education reviews them each year.
What records do South Carolina Option 3 families keep?
Under 59-65-47, a plan book or diary of subjects and activities, a portfolio of the student's work, and a semiannual progress report with attendance and individual assessments in each basic subject.
Can a South Carolina homeschooler take college courses in high school?
Yes. Parents choose the curriculum, so college-level courses can count as high school courses. College credit comes only via a college transcript, so ask each college on your list in writing first.
Does the parent need a degree to homeschool in South Carolina?
Under Options 2 and 3, a high school diploma or GED. Under Option 1, a diploma or GED plus a passing score on the state basic skills exam, or a bachelor's degree.
Do South Carolina homeschoolers take state tests?
Option 1 students take the statewide testing programme. The Option 2 and Option 3 sections of the law do not require it, though Option 3 associations require individual assessments in each basic subject in the progress report.
Read next
- How to homeschool high school in South Carolina: choosing Option 1, 2 or 3How to homeschool high school in South Carolina starts with choosing a legal option: district approval under 59-65-40, the South Carolina Association...
- Option 3 associations and college-level courses on the transcriptAn Option 3 homeschool transcript in South Carolina is written by the parent, under the association's standards in S.C. Code 59-65-47. College-level...
The same topic in nearby states
- Too young for Career & College Promise? College-level courses for NC homeschool 9th and 10th gradersNorth Carolina
- Virginia homeschoolers usually pay for dual enrollment. Here is a lower-cost startVirginia
- Homeschool Kentucky teens after the Dual Credit Scholarship: keep going with college-level coursesKentucky
Ready when you have it in writing
Ask your association and the colleges on your list in writing first, then choose the courses.
Sources
- South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 59 Chapter 65 (59-65-40, 59-65-45, 59-65-47) (official)Option 1 (59-65-40): district board approves; parent diploma or GED plus basic skills exam, or a bachelor's; 180 days of 4.5 hours; annual statewide testing. Option 2 (59-65-45): South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools; diploma or GED; 180 days. Option 3 (59-65-47): association of at least 50 members; diploma or GED; 180 days; reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, plus composition and literature in grades 7-12; plan book, portfolio, semiannual progress report; State Department of Education reviews standards each year; associations report numbers to districts by 30 January. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Sophia: Plans and pricingPrice for Sophia Learning, checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- StraighterLine: PricingPrice for StraighterLine, checked on 15 Nov 2026.