online courses for home education

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Best Online Homeschool Programs

The 7 best online homeschool programs for you and your child

Homeschooling curriculums have advantages. For one, using a curriculum can help you ensure your child meets national standards for their age group. And with an abundance of homeschooling resources available, some curriculums can also provide opportunities for you and your child to explore new learning styles.

If you’ve never taught your child at home before, it might seem like a daunting task. But not to worry: There are plenty of high-quality, interactive homeschool programs that you can easily use on your tablet, smartphone, or laptop. 

Whether you’re looking for SAT prep for your high school student, ways to keep your toddlers engaged and educated, or hoping your elementary-aged kids won’t fall behind in their studies, we’ve come up with a list of the best online homeschool programs on the market. These picks are interactive, user-friendly, and cost-effective.

7 Best Online Homeschool Programs of 2023

• Best Budget: ABCmouse.com
• Most Customizable: K12.com
• Best for Structure: Time4Learning
• Best for Community: Connections Academy
• Best Free: Khan Academy
• Best for College Prep: edX
• Best for Math and Science: CK-12 Foundation
• Our Top Picks
• ABCmouse.com
• Time4Learning
• Connections Academy
• Khan Academy
• CK-12 Foundation
• See More (4)

Final Verdict

• Compare Programs

Methodology

Best budget : abcmouse.com.

 ABCmouse.com

• Price : $12.99 per month
• Grades : Preschool-2
• Subjects : Reading, math, science, social studies, art, music

Kids aged 2 to 8 will have no trouble staying motivated to use ABCmouse.com; engaging activities and an interactive learning map will encourage them to keep going.

Levels based on age and grade level

Rewards system lets kids collect “tickets” for virtual prizes

Art & Colors curriculum for the youngest users

Desktop or tablet use

Works better as a curriculum companion

Kids have to be able to navigate a computer or smartphone

May not be challenging enough for some kids

At around $13 per month, a subscription to ABCmouse.com is the most budget-friendly educational purchase you can make for your early learner. ABCmouse.com’s Step-By-Step Learning Path is accessible on tablet, smartphone, or computer for kids ages 2 to 8. 

Spanning 850 lessons across 10 levels, this award-winning curriculum includes a comprehensive reading system (from letter recognition and phonics to reading full-length books), as well as math, science, social studies, and even art (including both drawing and painting).

Music, read-aloud stories, puzzles, and educational games round out the ABCmouse.com library, making it a solid choice as a supplement to an existing homeschool curriculum and for a comprehensive educational system. 

ABCmouse.com is also gamified, meaning your little ones can play it like a video game, complete with a ticket system that rewards them for completing levels successfully.

As they sharpen a particular skill set, they’ll receive tickets they can use to buy virtual treats, like fish for the online classroom aquarium. Built-in incentives allow your kids to move at their own pace and make the learning experience more enjoyable and engaging. 

Most Customizable : K12.com

• Price : Varies; has tuition-free public school, fee-based private school, and other courses on an individual cost basis
• Grades : K-12
• Subjects : Standard

K12.com is a highly customizable homeschool option, allowing you to fully enroll your child in an online school curriculum or cherry-pick only the subjects you want.

Full public school curriculums offered

Access to individual teachers and tutors

Available for kids in grades K-12 and includes all subjects

You may live in a different state than the school you enroll in

Some programs require long hours online for completion

Some users complain about customer support and website issues

Notable for its comprehensive and ultra-customizable approach, K12.com is a one-stop shop for online learners and their families.

K12’s online homeschool options include tuition-free, virtual public schools for students in grades K-12 taught by state-certified teachers. There are options for three different tuition-based private schools, and a variety of summer school, intensive, and standalone course offerings for kids with special interests or subjects they’d like to brush up on. 

If you’re not looking for a full-time homeschool program, you can draw from K12 Digital Literacy Solutions—a free library of literacy tools and over 24,000 e-books—to boost your child’s reading ability, or sign your teenagers up for one of K12’s several free camps centered around high-interest areas like coding, marketing, or information technology.

Free, game-based learning is available for kids in grades K-8 through K12’s program STRIDE. And, if there are subject areas in which you don’t feel comfortable homeschooling your child, K12's state-certified teachers offer live, online tutoring sessions in math, world languages, English, science, or social studies.

Best for Structure : Time4Learning

 Time4Learning

• Price : $24.95 per month for PreK-8 (for one child; $14.95 per month for additional children); $34.95 per month for high school
• Grades : PreK-12
• Subjects : Language arts, math, science, social studies

For parents who want to 100% homeschool online, Time4Learning is a full-fledged curriculum that takes all the planning and guesswork out of setting up your child’s grade level work.

Full online-only homeschool curriculum

Adjustable grade levels and self-pacing

Wide variety of approaches, including online and offline activities

You lose access to your records if you close your account

You need constant internet access

Your child may need supplemental lessons on certain topics

Time4Learning is a comprehensive, subscription-based online homeschool curriculum. It’s reasonably priced, at around $24.95 per month (and about $14.95 per month for each additional child) for preK-8 students and approximately $34.95 per month for high school students. This is one of the best programs if you want to keep your kids in a more traditional educational setting, even when they’re learning remotely.

Your child’s curriculum will include hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of animated lessons, activities, quizzes, worksheets, and full-length tests, all suited to each student’s grade level and your particular state’s learning standards. In contrast to some of the other curriculum resources on this list, Time4Learning offers a combination of online and offline, printable worksheets and other hands-on activities. 

Additional resources that make Time4Learning stand out are the many lesson-planning tools and learning style guides that can help you track your kids’ progress.

Best for Community : Connections Academy

 Connections Academy

• Price : Free

This tuition-free homeschool curriculum gets high reviews from parents, plus it emphasizes socialization through a variety of online clubs and peer activities.

Tuition-free, online public school

Offers one-on-one counseling and clubs

Curriculum designed for online learning

Only available in 31 states

Usually requires attendance in live classes

If you’d rather enroll your child in a full-fledged online school than teach them yourself, Connections Academy is a great option for elementary, middle school, and high school students. 

At this tuition-free, online public school, your children will be taught according to your state’s educational standards by certified teachers. Even textbooks and other instructional materials are provided free of charge. 

True to its name, Connections Academy might be one of the best online homeschool programs for your family if you’re interested in building a connected community with fellow parents, students, and educators.

The online school encourages you to be directly involved with your kids’ education as a "Learning Coach." Online live sessions with teachers and classmates, in addition to extracurriculars like online clubs and activities, allow kids to foster meaningful connections with peers. 

What’s more, your kids don’t have to miss out on many of the perks of a brick-and-mortar school, like career counseling, one-on-one sessions with a guidance counselor, standardized test prep, and college prep advising . These resources are all offered at Connections Academy. 

Best Free : Khan Academy

 Khan Academy

• Subjects : Standard, advanced placement (AP) classes, test prep, computing, economics, and life skills

Khan Academy stands out for its free video lessons, quizzes, and tests that cover a massive variety of subjects, from kindergarten through 12th grade (and beyond).

Standard or advanced placement (AP) courses available

Unique classes like storytelling, growth mindset, and coding

Parents can learn alongside kids at their own level

No community or one-on-one attention

Some students can’t learn via video instruction

Interactive instruction unavailable for all ages

Khan Academy, an award-winning nonprofit that offers free educational resources for students, parents, teachers, and homeschoolers, first garnered international attention for its high-quality, completely free SAT prep materials—an attractive alternative to its much pricier peers. But Khan Academy has since expanded to include curriculum pieces for children and teens of all ages. 

Simply select your child’s grade level and subject—the advanced placement (AP) or standardized test they’re preparing for, or the specific skills they need to boost—and send them off to gain “mastery points” as they progress. Easy-to-follow video lessons accompany practice quizzes and unit tests that help you track your kids’ progress. 

This resource is notable not only because it’s free, but also because of the sheer variety of the content available. Khan Academy’s materials include many niche topics for adult learners and high school students that aren’t offered by many other online learning programs.

The virtual academy’s unique subjects—like computer programming and animation, personal finance and entrepreneurship, art history, college admissions, and English as a second language—solidifies it as one of the best online homeschool programs. 

Best for College Prep : edX

• Price : Most courses are free; completion certificates vary in price
• Grades : 9-12 and above
• Subjects : Standard, plus specialized college-level courses

There is a broad range of subjects to dive deep into at edX, a site offering college-level courses for teens hosted by top universities like Harvard and MIT.

Courses offered by prestigious worldwide universities

Many courses are free or low-cost

Some credits may transfer to college

Only for teens and adults

Not the right choice for students wanting to explore many subjects at once

If you’re going to get an at-home education, you might as well get it from Harvard, right?

If you're looking to help with your teen’s college prep, consider enrolling them in one of the many classes at edX , a platform that partners with high-ranking institutions such as NYU, Harvard, and MIT (as well as international universities, including Oxford and Australian National University) to offer over 3,600 college-level courses. Some are self-paced and available for college transfer credit, while others are taught by qualified instructors—most of whom have doctorates in their fields. 

You and your teen can choose from a variety of standalone courses across the arts and humanities, STEM fields, music, computer science, education, and more. Most courses, even credit-eligible ones, are free, with completion certificates that have a wide price range from $50 to $300. 

Particularly proactive high school students looking to get a head start on their college career while at home can enroll in an edX MicroBachelors program in popular majors like computer science, for just $166 per credit. Or, they can start earning college credits by attending the Global Freshman Academy . It offers common, foundational first-year courses like pre-calculus, or college algebra and problem-solving through edX’s partnership with Arizona State University. 

Best for Math and Science : CK-12 Foundation

 CK-12 Foundation

• Subjects : Standard, with a focus on STEM

Although other subjects are offered, CK-12 focuses its curriculum on STEM courses, using games and interactive activities to boost learning.

Interactive online textbooks make learning engaging

Comprehensive, deep-dive lessons

You may need to supplement with other material 

Some students could struggle with navigating the site alone

May be too advanced in presentation for some students

If you’d like your child to beef up their math and science skills, look no further than the wealth of interactive learning tools at the CK-12 Foundation . This free resource offers one of the best online homeschool programs for STEM subjects. It’s also one of the most advanced resources available in terms of its seamless use of technology and cutting-edge approaches to learning.

While writing, spelling, and social studies are available, math and science topics (from arithmetic and earth science to calculus and engineering) are where CK-12’s creative curriculum really shines. 

Simulations and the Play, Learn, Interact, Explore (PLIX) series integrate graphics and games into lessons about STEM concepts. Meanwhile, CK-12’s FlexBooks—interactive online textbooks that allow students to learn as they play and play as they learn—distill complex concepts into digestible pieces.

Check out your kids’ central dashboard to follow along with their adaptive practice progress, which tracks the skills they need to boost and those they’ve already mastered in order to tailor their upcoming lessons.

For the most homeschooling options, K12.com is a hub of resources and opportunities where you can pick and choose how much—or how little—you learn online. If all those choices are overwhelming for you, a more focused program like Time4Learning may be a better fit. Parents concerned with socialization will like the community approach of Connections Academy , and teens looking to prep for college can take advanced classes through edX . 

Compare the Best Online Homeschooling Programs

Frequently asked questions, what is homeschooling.

Homeschooling is an educational option in which parents educate their children at home rather than sending them to a traditional school. Most homeschooling families cover subjects that are taught in traditional schools, but they may also include independent study programs, college or co-op classes, volunteering opportunities, and more.

What Are Some Pros and Cons of Homeschooling?

Pros of homeschooling include getting to decide how and what your kids learn, ample one-on-one attention for the student, and flexible scheduling. Cons include the high level of parental commitment and the potential loss of income that may result from it. Some parents also deal with stress and lack of confidence about being responsible for their child’s education.

How Much Does Online Homeschooling Cost?

The cost of homeschooling varies depending on the curriculum, interactivity, and level of support. Some online homeschooling programs are completely free. Others require a paid monthly or yearly subscription or tuition, or charge a flat rate per class. Prices can range anywhere from $10 a month for a subscription to $7,000 for yearly tuition at a private online academy.

How Do Homeschoolers Socialize?

Homeschool support groups, co-ops, field-trip groups, public library programs, and park playdates all offer opportunities for kids to socialize and make friends. The local public school may also be another option for activities, as some states require public schools to allow homeschooled students to participate in extracurriculars at the school they would have attended. 

Is Homeschool Best for ADHD?

Homeschooling is a personal decision for every family, and children with ADHD can potentially benefit from the flexible homeschool program and untraditional learning environment. With homeschooling, parents are able to set a curriculum that best matches the interests and learning style of the student, and kids can learn at a more flexible pace and in a creative format.

Choosing a homeschool program that’s right for your family is a process as unique as your family itself, but we think all online homeschooling programs should have some things in common. We searched for programs that were highly customizable, allowing you to choose your coursework and grade level, as well as programs that were no- or low-cost. Lastly, we made sure all the programs listed here feature the full range of subjects your child would have access to in a traditional school setting.

Verywell / Illustration by Madelyn Goodnight

By Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley has been writing parenting content since 2017, after her third son was born. Since then, she has expanded her expertise to write about pregnancy and postpartum, childhood ages and stages, and general health conditions, including commerce articles for health products. Because she has been homeschooling her sons for seven years, she is also frequently asked to share homeschooling tips, tricks, and advice for parenting sites.

Online Homeschool Program

For the fully accredited online school option, please visit AcellusAcademy.com

Included with Power Homeschool Subscription

Science LIVE with Acellus Creator Roger Billings

This weekly mentoring program encourages students of all ages to study hard and inspires a love for science. Using real-world examples, Roger Billings teaches students how to become “Inventioneers” who can turn breakthrough discoveries into useful inventions. Research shows that students who participate in this program improve academically and develop positive attitudes toward their schoolwork.   Learn More

What’s New at Power Homeschool!

New courses.

Elementary Art

This course invites students on a captivating journey through the diverse world of art, delving into various artistic elements and styles. Read More

Introduction to Music Appreciation

This course takes students on an immersive journey through the world of music, spanning different historical periods and musical styles. Read More

High School English II

This course is designed to deepen students’ understanding and appreciation of literature while also developing communication skills. Read More

Enabling Tutoring Mode

You can enable Tutoring Mode on any of your student’s classes through the parent interface using the Acellus App.  Read More

Enhanced Parent Account Interface

Several updates and enhancements have been added for Parents when managing their Power Homeschool Parent Account.   Read More

New Tutorial: Retake for Credit

Students are able to retake steps to revisit previous lessons and improve their score. This feature is available through the student account. Read More

New to Homeschooling

Have questions, ask the homeschooling experts – parents.

Power Homeschool In Action

Empowering the Prospers

The Prosper family currently lives in China, and have just recently started their homeschooling journey. After moving to a new school district, the Prospers began seeing differences in their family, particularly in their two boys Isaac and Simon. The Prospers took the...

Family Utilizes Power Homeschool to Navigate New Challenges

Amidst the backdrop of Lubbock, Texas, the Williams family embarked on a homeschooling journey with Power Homeschool during the pandemic. As challenges unfolded, particularly for Evie, who faced a daunting battle with a brain aneurysm, the program’s video-based learning emerged as a crucial source of support. Within their resilient homeschooling routine, therapy sessions seamlessly intertwined with learning opportunities, highlighting a transformative impact. Evie’s narrative stands as a testament to the effectiveness of homeschooling, revealing strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

The Benefits of Ongoing STEM Education

It's no secret that education is the stepping stone to a long and enriching career. However, offering your child a well-rounded education opens the door to a world of opportunities even beyond their future jobs — with the right knowledge, kids can grow into capable...

More Homeschooling Resources and Information

•  Parent Guide to Getting Started with Homeschool
• j How to Prevent Homeschool Burnout
•  6 Tips for Transitioning from Homeschooling to College
•  5 Ways Homeschooling Can Help Children with Disabilities
•  Why Homeschooling is on the Rise

Homeschool Links:

• Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
• Homeschooling Basics (101)
• Homeschooling Laws for all 50 States
• How do Homeschoolers Get Diplomas?

21 Best Online Homeschool Programs Families Love

Hey, just so you know ... This post includes affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure HERE.

If you've been hanging out here on my blog for long, you know that I love me anything homeschooling and digital. And I'm not the only one. Online homeschooling is growing in popularity with more and more families, and like many others, you might be looking for the best online homeschool programs for your own kids. 

Luckily, we live in a world where we can find a lot of helpful homeschool resources right here on the world wide web. I've rounded up a few of the most popular options from other Techie Homeschool families here for you to consider for your family's home education. 

… RELATED POST … Four Crucial Reasons You Should Be Homeschooling Online

Excelsior Classes

Excelsior Classes is an NCAA approved, accredited all-in-one homeschool option for 3rd-12th grade. Their goal is to provide a rigorous, dynamic, and meaningful experience to learners.

Their courses meet live online once per week, while students work between class sessions to submit work, projects, quizzes, or tests. Expert teachers take care of all the planning, instructing, assignments, and evaluations. Classes are recorded, so if you have to miss a live session, it's easy to catch up!

You'll find classes in a wide array of subject areas, from art to science, language arts to math, and technology to history. You'll even find foreign languages. For those looking for unique courses, Excelsior has several in their line-up, including thematic literature courses, film, psychology, and career planning.

Excelsior has a unique partnership with LeTourneau University to provide live dual credit courses, with credentialed adjunct professors from LeTourneau University. These courses may also be taken as honors credit if the student does not wish to pursue dual credit enrollment. It's a great way for your homeschool students to test the waters of university-level courses.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Excelsior Classes.

Power Homeschool by Acellus

Power Homeschool offers a homeschool program for elementary, middle school and high schoolers. They offer over 400 courses covering grades K-12, taught by expert teachers.  With Power Homeschool, children are able to learn at their own pace and the online program offers a variety of helpful tools. These tools include:

• Interactive practice problems
• Video-based lessons for learning as well as video lessons for extra help on difficult concepts
• Reviews, exams and various drills that help with memorization
• Digital books and lesson plans

Parents can get detailed progress reports that include grades for each course and student attendance reports that are automatically counted when the student has logged in. There are also reports available that show the grades and total hours students spend doing their online courses. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about Power Homeschool.

SchoolhouseTeachers.com

SchoolhouseTeachers.com is another popular online homeschooling program among homeschool parents. They began in 2012 and are structured around Christian values for K-12 students .

The platform offers nearly 400 online homeschool courses and can serve as a student’s complete, full homeschool curriculum. Many parents that have a preferred homeschool curriculum already can choose to use Schoolhouseteachers.com as a great addition to their current program or for after-school work to perfect skills.

Instructions for the courses are offered through eBooks, downloadable lessons, videos and more. There are no textbooks required to complete the courses.

I love that their membership rate is per family, not per student. You can choose a monthly or annual membership to access the full library of individual courses, with no limit on the number of courses or specific subjects your family can use. 

If you want more details about SchoolhouseTeachers, check out THIS POST .

CLICK HERE to visit SchoolhouseTeachers.com's website.

BJU Press Homeschool

We have personally used BJU Press Distance Learning Online in our homeschool the past couple of years, and it's been a great way to help our kids grow more independent in their learning and provide them with a Christian education grounded in a Biblical Worldview.

You can purchase individual subject areas or a complete grade-level package for your homeschool. My kids do their core subjects online, and the video lessons are engaging and encourage critical thinking, creativity, and a good work ethic. The addition of the BJU Press Homeschool Hub makes planning and organizing incredibly easy for me.

CLICK HERE to learn more about BJU Press Homeschool.

Education Perfect

Education Perfect is a comprehensive online program that began with traditional schools in mind, and has made their way to offering a great option for homeschooling families. If you are looking for a secular, complete curriculum for your child's education, you should definitely check out what Education Perfect has to offer.

The platform is flexible enough to be adapted to almost any teaching or learning style, and can be used as a full curriculum or as a fantastic supplement. I was incredibly impressed by the multisensory techniques they use in their lessons, and kids will love the interactive features and gamified learning opportunities.

They even offer a monthly Homeschool Challenge, where homeschoolers from all over the world can compete to win prizes. And their mobile app makes learning easy on the go.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Education Perfect.

Excel High School

Excel High School  offers an online, fully accredited program for middle school and high school. With nearly 20 years of experience teaching students online, Excel is uniquely suited to help your child navigate an online learning environment. 

Excel High School offers 3 online learning programs: 

1.) Advanced Studies University Preparatory High School Diploma (24 credits)

2.) Standard High School Diploma (21.5 credits)

3.) Adult High School Diploma for adults seeking to go back to school.

All course material is provided through the Excel High School online portal which eliminates the need for physical textbooks. All courses at Excel High School are accredited through Cognia and fully transferable. Enrollment is all-inclusive and starts as low as $99 per month. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about Excel High School.

Monarch Online

Monarch Online is another Christian homeschooling program that offers courses for students in 3 rd -12 th grades. Subjects included in the program are math, history, geography, science, language arts, and the Bible. 

With the program, parents have access to the assignments and schedules, and parents are also able to customize the grade level for each course so that the curriculum is tailored to the students' needs. Monarch is completely online so there are no textbooks needed. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about Monarch Online.

Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool

With a mission to make home education accessible to every family, All-in-One's Easy Peasy program is a completely free homeschool program for PreK through high school. 

The Easy Peasy program is designed for parents to have complete control over what is being taught.  All resources and learning material are online so students do not need anything but a pencil or paper to take notes. The material can also be printed or purchased (if you’d like) so students have a physical copy of what they're learning. 

There is an option for you to sign up for an account to track your child’s assignments and progress. This is set up as more of a donation system with a suggested amount where all donations go towards helping the site continue to grow. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about Easy Peasy and their free homeschool curriculum.

True North Homeschool Academy

True North Homeschool Academy offers live, online classes via Zoom for students K-12. Their classes are based on Judeo-Christian principles, inspired and driven by the Word of God.

Your students will grow in skill, ability and wisdom as they learn from a variety of enthusiastic and skilled teachers. Classes are taught using the SAMR framework, which is applied through the use of technology, gamification, multi-media presentations, and more during students' time at the online academy. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about True North Homeschool Academy.

Study.com offers study materials and curriculum for 3rd-12th grades. High school students can also take AP classes, earn college credit, and prep for important exams via the platform.

You'll find a library of 80,000+ age appropriate, engaging lessons at Study.com. Some homeschooling families use this resource as a full curriculum, as classes range from core to electives, while others simply use it as a supplemental resource. Their multisensory approach appeals to a variety of learners.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Study.com.

Time4Learning

Time4Learning is an award winning online, interactive curriculum for language arts, math, science, and social studies for PreK-12th grades. They also offer 14 high school elective options. Their goal is to empower parents to take control of their child's learning, and their helpful planning and reporting tools help make this easy, offering options for both structured or flexible homeschool schedules.

This can be used as a main curriculum, or a supplement during the school year or over the summer. There are no live teachers; all learning is self-directed and facilitated by the homeschool parent.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Time4Learning.

IXL (which means “I excel”) is a comprehensive K-12 curriculum that offers lessons for skills in math, language arts, science, and social studies. It's one of the best online homeschool programs to use for reinforcing specific topics, or identifying where your child needs a bit of extra help.

Their real-time diagnostics helps create individualized lesson paths, and really assists parents in meeting their child's needs right where they are. You also have the ability to plan your lessons by state standards, popular textbooks you may be using, or based on a test your child is preparing for.

CLICK HERE to learn more about IXL.

K12 Online Education Program

K12 offers students a structured online public-school experience. There are two types of options to choose from; a public-school program and a private school program. 

The public-school option is available in more than 33 states and is tuition-free. There are three different types of virtual public-school options offered.

• Virtual Academies which are statewide for grade K-12
• Insight Schools which are to help middle and high school students through a unique and supportive approach to learning
• Blended Schools that are full-time, five days a week. This type of setting combines a hybrid of both online education with a traditional onsite location.

The online private school does have a tuition-based program that is flexible and offers full and part-time options. The private online program also offers multiple start dates throughout the school year. 

With K12, students can also participate in extracurricular activities with other classmates and their families. These activities include field trips, online clubs and competitions that focus on art, STEM, music, and more. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about K12

Connections Academy

Connections Academy is another tuition-free online public school for Kindergarten through 12 th grade. It works as a virtual classroom where students learn through an individualized learning program. 

The course offered go on their “four C’s” method:

• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Communication
• Creativity and innovation
• Collaboration

Core courses like math, science, English/language arts, and social studies are all part of the online curriculum. 

Connections Academy also offers electives in a wide range of subjects, all of which will help create a well-rounded online school curriculum. A few of the different things students can participate in include music, world languages, sign language, game design, and more. 

There is a detailed registration process required to see if you meet the qualifications to enroll. These qualifications vary by state.  Since Connections Academy is a public school, they do follow the traditional public school calendar of your area. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about Connections Academy

Miacademy is often recommended in the Techin' Your Homeschool Facebook Group . They are an online K-8 learning program, but they also recently added MiaPrep , which is an online high school option.

Miacademy offers hundreds of lessons and games in core subjects and electives. Additionally, they offer optional religious studies, Manners & Etiquette courses, and Internet Safety lessons.

Homeschooling parents love the many features of the parent portal. And they love the homeschool family discount even more!

CLICK HERE to learn more about Miacademy.

Khan Academy

I remember when Khan Academy first began as a one-man tutoring operation, and we used it as a recommended resource for our high school math students. Now, it's grown to a large organization working to provide free educational resources to anyone, anywhere.

At Khan Academy, you'll find free homeschool resources including practice exercises, video lessons, and a personalized learning dashboard for your kids. You'll find core subjects and electives for K-14, along with SAT, Praxis, and LSAT preparation help. Khan Academy has a strong focus in skill mastery and can help build a strong educational foundation in your homeschool.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Khan Academy.

The Potter's School

The Potter's School is a regionally accredited online school that offers over 200 live, interactive classes for grades 4-12. You'll find a wide range of both core and elective courses serving full-time students working towards their diplomas, as well as part-time students taking only a few subjects.

If your high schooler is looking for dual credit college courses, a High Scholars program, or an AP® course provider, take a look into what The Potter's School has to offer.

CLICK HERE to learn more about The Potter's School.

American School

American School offers quality online accredited middle school and high school courses at an affordable cost. You can choose from full-year or full diploma programs, or take individual courses to enrich an existing homeschool program.

In addition to core subject areas such as English, math, science and social studies, American School offers elective courses in business, career and technical education; fine arts; and world languages powered by Rosetta Stone. For select high school students, American School offers select AP courses, with enrollment in AP courses available from July 1 to August 31.

CLICK HERE to learn more about American School.

Mr. D Math is an online learning center that offers more than just math! Homeschoolers rave about courses offered on this platform which include subjects like:

• American Sign Language
• College and Career Readiness
• Language Arts
• Music and Dance
• Study Skills

…and of course, math.

The unique curriculum, experienced instructors and different (yet effective!) approach make Mr. D Math stand out among others.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Mr. D Math.

Oak Meadow Distance Learning School

Founded in 1975, Oak Meadow provides a flexible, progressive education for independent learners in kindergarten to grade 12.

Oak Meadow’s curriculum aligns with rigorous academic standards. When you enroll in their Distance Learning School, you still provide the day-to-day instruction, but your child also works with an online teacher who will customize lessons based on their individual needs, interests, skills, and learning styles.

Their distance learning school is accredited by New England Association for Schools and Colleges, one of the most esteemed accrediting agencies in the United States.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Oak Meadow.

Homeschool Pro

Homeschool Pro is a complete online homeschool curriculum featuring hundreds of classes and electives. More than just a curriculum, however, they offer complete homeschool support to families to help them find success in their journeys.

New lessons are added and updated frequently, and you'll find core options like reading all the way up to an extensive selection of high school electives (like Aerospace Engineering!). Your kids can take their learning further through music and sports classes, writing for the Homeschool Pro magazine, or participating in other social opportunities online. One family membership includes everything they offer, including a homeschool advisor and a digital portfolio for your kids.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Homeschool Pro.

There are lots more online education programs out there. These are just a few that have been recommended by other techie homeschool moms. To discover more online options for homeschooling, be sure to check out the Online Homeschool Curriculum Directory. 

I'd love to hear from you in the comments: which of your favorite online homeschool programs did I leave out? Which of the ones listed have you loved using in your homeschool? Let me know!

More Homeschooling Tips and Resources

In addition to the online homeschool programs listed above, there are so many wonderful blogs and resources online these days to help you in your homeschooling journey.

I've teamed up with a few of my favorites to bring you our top tips, encouragement, and free resources as you head into a new homeschool year.

Be sure to check them all out below!

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How free online courses from MIT can “transform the future of the world”

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From full introductory courses in engineering, psychology, and computer science to lectures about financial concepts, linguistics, and music, the MIT OpenCourseWare YouTube channel has it all — offering millions of learners around the world a pathway to develop new skills and broaden their knowledge base with free offerings from MIT educators.

“I believe OpenCourseWare and Open Learning resources will transform the future of the world for the better — in financial markets I know it already has,” says Michael Pilgreen, a sculptor, painter, and poet from Memphis, Tennessee, who discovered OpenCourseWare when he found himself unemployed in 2020 and used it to jumpstart a new career on Wall Street. 

After watching several lectures about finance, computer science, programming, mathematics, and algorithms on the OpenCourseWare YouTube channel and website, Pilgreen enrolled in the MITx MicroMasters program in finance. He is now a business operations specialist for the Jameel World Education Lab at MIT Open Learning, where he helps the lab bring MIT ideas and know-how to educational innovators worldwide. 

“MIT OpenCourseWare opens the doors to conversations that were previously closed to learners by geography, time, and class,” Pilgreen says. “As an open learner, I was able to leverage the best instructors in the world from my living room, and turn my time being unemployed into a productive period acquiring the skills I needed to work on Wall Street.”

OpenCourseWare is the brainchild of MIT faculty members. The platform was launched in 2001 when the age of digital sharing was just getting started, establishing MIT as the first higher education institution to make educational resources freely available to learners regardless of geographical location or institutional affiliation. Four years later in 2005, OpenCourseWare created a YouTube channel to further its commitment to accessibility and lifelong learning.

Today, OpenCourseWare — part of MIT Open Learning — remains a global model for open sharing in higher education, with an open license that allows the remix and reuse of its educational resources. OpenCourseWare offers materials on its website from more than 2,500 courses that span the MIT undergraduate and graduate curriculum. Educational resources include syllabi, lecture notes, problem sets, assignments, audiovisual content, and insights. 

“We almost take for granted the idea that an enormous amount of outstanding educational content is available to anyone in the world with an internet connection,” says MIT President Sally Kornbluth. “Yet, the fact that this is now the norm has a great deal to do with a groundbreaking project launched at MIT in 2001. OpenCourseWare changed the landscape of education, and it continues to inspire students, teachers, and lifelong learners around the globe to follow their curiosity wherever it leads.”

Curt Newton, OpenCourseWare’s publication director, says the platform inspires millions of curious and motivated learners every year. With over 5 million subscribers and 430 million views, OpenCourseWare stands out as the largest .edu YouTube channel. The channel opens a window into MIT classrooms, giving learners the opportunity to pursue their interests, develop new skills, and even switch careers.

“Videos on our YouTube channel have proven to be an especially effective meeting place,” Newton says. “From introductions to computer programming and the human brain to what it's like to pilot an advanced jet aircraft , these videos are both a complete learning experience in themselves and an entry into even more expansive worlds of learning found on the OpenCourseWare website.”

Emmanuel Kasigazi, an entrepreneur from Uganda, turned to YouTube during the Covid-19 lockdowns and found hundreds of complete lectures on the OpenCourseWare YouTube channel. He explored psychology, cloud computing, data science, and artificial intelligence. 

“The channel opened my eyes to something I didn’t know was reachable,” Kasigazi says. “The psychology classes I took are 24 episodes; each episode is around 40 minutes. That’s a season of 'Grey’s Anatomy.' It’s amazing that I could spend the same amount of time on two different things, but one of them would change my life, my mindset, and the other would just give me a small dopamine boost.”

During his learning journey, Kasigazi also gained a community of open learners. He has teamed up with Pilgreen to shine light on the educational adventures of fellow OpenCourseWare learners. The duo is working on a podcast that will launch this fall. 

“From the channel itself you get great value, but then you pull back the curtain and get to meet the people on the OpenCourseWare team, and it’s amazing,” Kasigazi says. “It’s incredible the people I get to talk to — all because I decided to watch something on YouTube. The most impactful thing I've gotten from this channel is the people I’ve met along the way and the things I’m learning.”

While learners get to expand their knowledge base through these free, publicly accessible videos, MIT faculty members preserve their knowledge for generations to come. 

The late professor Patrick Winston's foundational AI lectures have long been popular on OpenCourseWare. His “ How to Speak ” lecture, published on the OpenCourseWare YouTube channel in 2018, has become the most popular video on the channel with 18 million views. Winston's annual talk, which had long been a revered event for the MIT community, has now helped millions of people improve their speaking abilities — from conversing with someone one-on-one to presenting research to nailing job interviews.

Gilbert Strang, a world-renowned mathematician, was one of the first professors to publish his lectures on OpenCourseWare. Today, his linear algebra courses have received more than 15 million visits on OpenCourseWare’s website and over 34 million views on YouTube. 

Andrea Henshall, a retired major in the U.S. Air Force, credits her academic success to Strang’s lectures on OpenCourseWare — and other MIT open educational resources. Henshall discovered Strang’s videos after struggling during her first semester of her master’s program in aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. By the end of her master’s program, Henshall was getting A's in all her courses. She is now pursuing a PhD at MIT.

Although Strang has recently retired from MIT after 63 years of teaching, his lessons will continue to be available online to learners in every country on Earth.

“Great teaching is timeless, from the insightful teaching of decades past to our newest video series — an introduction to using data to address cultural, social, economic, and policy questions, created by Sara Ellison and Nobel laureate Esther Duflo,” Newton says. “We’re honored to be preserving and sharing this knowledge for generations to come.” 

MIT OpenCourseWare publishes new content regularly on its YouTube channel and website. Brett Paci, OpenCourseWare’s media publication manager, produces the podcast episodes and many of the video lectures published on the YouTube channel. He considers the channel a “gift to the world.”

“It’s very much in the spirit and mission of MIT to contribute to the global collective knowledge and facilitate learning,” Paci says. “It’s a mission we can be proud of.”

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5 Basic Components of an Online College Course

Remote college courses rely on learning management systems and timely feedback from professors.

Basic Components of an Online Course

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Online courses can be either synchronous or asynchronous, and students should find a program that best suits their needs.

Thanks to modern technology, students no longer have to be bound to a physical classroom to pursue a college education. Equipped with a device and an internet connection, students can earn an associate, bachelor's or master's degree from the comfort of their own home.

“It’s the way of education, and it’s the way that students will go to school,” says Justin Louder, assistant vice president for academic innovation at Anthology, an education technology company that produces the learning management system Blackboard Learn. “A vast majority of students will take at least one online class a semester.”

Online learning is not necessarily a novelty, but its popularity has grown in recent years and is expected to continue. Online degrees have also experienced a wave of innovation and wider acceptance in recent years, says Louder, who previously oversaw online degree programs as associate vice provost of e-learning at Texas Tech University .

How distance learning is delivered varies among colleges and even professors, but most online courses have similarities, experts say. Here are five basic components of online courses students should be familiar with before signing up for classes.

The Learning Management System

When a student enrolls in an online course, they'll be asked to log in to a learning management system, or LMS.

For fully online courses, the LMS is where everything for class exists. On this platform, students can access their syllabus, see their professor's contact information and access most course materials, including online readings, videos, audio files and other resources. This is also where students participate in discussion boards – written exchanges with fellow classmates – and submit assignments.

Although some schools design their own learning management systems, most colleges use Blackboard Learn , Moodle , Canvas or Brightspace , and experts say most of these systems are similar and fairly intuitive.

"What is important for students to understand is how the professor has designed their course – including the overall structure, schedule, organization, content and resources, activities, and assessments and assignments," Eric Fredericksen, associate vice president for online learning and a professor at the University of Rochester in New York, wrote in an email. "A good practice is for professors to spend time at the beginning of the course to orient the students to the course in the LMS and to provide clarity on their expectations for students in the course."

Course Materials

The materials students use in online courses vary depending on the professor's preferences. Some online instructors prefer that students read e-books, while others suggest ordering textbooks. In some cases, the instructor may provide options, which could include a hard copy or a digital version, Fredericksen says.

"In the course I teach, I use a textbook that is part of a service from our library and students can access it and read it online at no cost to them," he says. "There are lots of different kinds of educational resources that can be used."

Other possible resources include podcasts, PowerPoint presentations, webcasts of lectures and instructional videos, which can be embedded into the LMS and available to students to watch on their own schedule. Lecture videos can also typically be made accessible to include captions and a transcript for students who need accommodations. Students can also download the audio from a lecture and listen to it on their own time.

“You think about different learning styles. Some students are auditory learners. Some students are more visual learners,” Louder says. "Online courses can appeal to all different types of learners."

Course Structure

Online courses are either synchronous, meaning students and professors are logged in and engaging at the same time like in a traditional classroom setting, or asynchronous, where students can complete assignments and watch lectures on their own time.

Undergraduate degree online courses tend to have synchronous components, such as a live class discussion, office hours or proctored exams, says Melissa Loble, chief academic officer at Instructure, an education technology company and creator of Canvas. Tools like Zoom allow instructors to conduct live lectures and break students off into small groups for further discussion.

However, the majority of classes tend to be asynchronous, experts say.

"For non-degree programs like certificates, synchronous components are more rare as they cater to a wide range of timezones and the needs of working professionals," Loble wrote in an email. "For synchronous classes, they tend to be bite-sized lectures. This is true for even courses that may have recorded content. The days of long lectures have passed, especially after COVID."

No matter the structure, a successful online course includes "high levels of interaction with the professor and their students, as well as between the students and their classmates," Fredericksen says. "This can happen synchronously or asynchronously. I believe professors need to be flexible, humorous, thoughtful and kind with their students – both online and in the traditional classroom."

As students gravitate more toward online courses, Louder says they can feel confident in the education they'll receive regardless of whether the class is synchronous or asynchronous.

“In a well-done, quality online course , student outcomes and success should mirror that of a face-to-face class,” he says. “You shouldn’t see a difference based on the modality of the course work."

Assignments and Group Projects

Students in in-person classes can expect to submit some of their work digitally, such as discussion board responses or term papers, but tests and other assignments may still be completed on physical paper. In online courses, everything is done virtually, whether a test or a group project.

Students submit their work through the LMS, where instructors can also share grading criteria and due dates. In addition to papers and discussion boards, students may be asked to create blogs or videos demonstrating their subject knowledge.

And just because online programs require less face-to-face interaction doesn't mean instructors don't require group projects. Online students usually conduct group projects through Zoom, Google Meet or another video conferencing platform. Text messaging and FaceTime calls also make it easier to complete group projects.

Professors can use the LMS to manually or automatically assign students to groups and provide a central location to share materials, Loble says. "Groups can then submit a single project to a professor for grading, as well as engage in peer review to provide feedback on the contributions each member of the group makes."

Loble says one of the biggest struggles for students in online courses when it comes to assignments is time management .

"When you are a student in an online course you have to be accountable for your own work remotely," she says. "This is hard for some students even with built-in reminders for due dates."

Online instructors use the LMS to grade assignments and give feedback. Instructors can also build online quizzes and other computer-graded activities, which can decrease the wait time for students to receive a grade.

"I do believe prompt feedback is essential for student learning," Fredericksen says. "And it is also important for professors to provide an expectation of when feedback and grades will be provided back to their students."

Alexandria Aguilera, who earned a master's in education through an asynchronous online program at Western Governors University , says she had the most interaction with her professors via virtual feedback.

"They gave very timely and detailed feedback in submitted assignments," she wrote in an email. "I even met with one one-onone to discuss the assignment I submitted. I was able to take their comments and suggestions and redo my work."

Online professors strive to create a sense of community with their students, so frequent discussion is crucial to a successful online course. Whether that's asynchronous through discussion boards or synchronous with live class discussions over video, it's common for professors to factor that participation into their grading.

To deter cheating on exams, most online professors use proctored exams or locked-down browsers. Most LMS platforms also include some type of artificial intelligence or plagiarism-detection software to ensure students submit original work.

"We are seeing an increased volume of professors giving in-person exams that are proctored, either by people or by video, during fully online courses to help address issues of academic integrity," Loble says.

Trying to fund your online education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News  Paying for Online Education  center.

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Discover whether getting an undergraduate degree makes sense for you.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an online bachelor’s degree cost.

You’ll find a range of affordable online bachelor’s degrees on Coursera. Many institutions offer pay-as-you-go tuition, meaning you only pay for courses you take. If you enroll in a bachelor’s degree program offering pay-as-you-go tuition but decide to take a term off, you don’t have to worry about being charged during that time.

You may also be eligible for scholarships, financial aid, or employer tuition benefits to help cover the cost of your bachelor’s degree. To learn more about these options and tuition costs, please visit the degree program page. If you’re interested in additional funding, you can explore the resources on our Financial Resources Hub .

How long does an online bachelor’s program take?

Some bachelor's degree programs on Coursera can be completed in as little as two years, depending on transfer credits and course load, while others take three years or more to complete. You can find more information about each program’s duration by visiting the degree page of the program you’re interested in.

How is an online bachelor’s degree different from an on-campus degree?

Often, the education you receive in an online degree program parallels that of an in-person degree program. The difference is in how you learn—aka the learning modality.

University partners on Coursera typically offer an array of modalities, including live video lectures and asynchronous courses. Throughout your learning journey, you'll also have access to a dedicated support team, course facilitators, and a network of peers to help you achieve your academic goals.

How do I choose the best online bachelor’s program for me?

On Coursera, you’ll find bachelor’s degrees in liberal studies, applied arts and sciences, general business, computer science, information technology, marketing, general business, and business administration.

Take time to think about your interests, career goals, and resources while exploring the degree areas listed above. Review the curriculum you’ll study, the way you’ll learn (the modality), the program’s cost, and how flexible it is. Beyond what you end up studying, these factors can help you determine which online bachelor’s program is best for you.

How do I apply for an online bachelor’s degree?

Each bachelor’s program on Coursera sets different application requirements , which may further depend on your geographic location. It’s a good idea to visit the degree page of the program you’re interested in attending to get more information. You can click “Apply Now” if you’re ready to begin the process.

Certain university partners do not require an application and instead offer performance-based admission, like Illinois Tech’s Bachelor of Information Technology . If you take and pass the stipulated pre-approved courses, you will gain entry to the degree program.

How do employers view undergraduate degrees earned online?

Although attitudes are changing, a bachelor’s degree is still the preferred credential for many roles around the world, making that level of education a valuable credential for a job applicant. An online degree only describes how you earned your bachelor’s, and that qualifier is not part of the official degree you receive upon graduation.

Is a bachelor's degree worth it?

Yes, a bachelor’s degree can be worth it—depending on your goals. Typically, having a bachelor’s degree can lead to more job opportunities, higher salaries, and lower rates of unemployment, among other benefits. You may also find that having a bachelor’s degree makes you more competitive when it comes to applying for jobs. Learn more about whether a bachelor’s degree is worth it for you.

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Help adult learners advance their careers with strategic, thoughtfully designed professional development. Whether you’re a corporate trainer, manager or even a volunteer organizer, the M.Ed. in Adult Education and Training will help you understand adult learner needs and create engaging, effective and rewarding training programs to meet those specific needs. You’ll learn to harness innovative educational technology to deliver career-advancement training.

Quality You Expect

Our accredited programs are designed for working professionals who want a quality education. We’re committed to delivering high-quality, affordable and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content and relevant application.

Low Cost You Deserve

Because we’re 100% online, you only pay for the cost of delivering your education, not infrastructure like buildings or dorms. In fact, our affordability allows most of our students to graduate with no debt. We also offer over $2.5 million in scholarships and grants every year.

Flexibility You Need

Complete your coursework any time and anywhere there’s an internet connection. You’ll have access to academic resources 24/7, and highly responsive faculty and librarians. You decide how we fit into your life, not the other way around.

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Find a plan that fits your budget.

When We Say Low Cost, We Mean It

Western Governors University

Walden university, purdue global, southern new hampshire university, university of phoenix, grand canyon university.

Source: Internal Research Completed on June 2023

Program Details

Focus of study, start dates.

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it’s best for you.

April 08, 2024 Term

Apr 05, 2024

Application Due

Payment Due

Apr 12, 2024

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

May 12, 2024

May 20, 2024 Term

May 17, 2024

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June 10, 2024 Term

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July 08, 2024 Term

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August 19, 2024 Term

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September 09, 2024 Term

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September 30, 2024 Term

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November 11, 2024 Term

Nov 08, 2024

Nov 11, 2024

Nov 15, 2024

Dec 15, 2024

Here are just some of the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

Featured Faculty

Our real-world coursework is taught by experienced faculty.

Cathy McKay

Carrie Hutton Latsoudis

Sandra Johnson

Angie Parker

Jason Caudill

Barry Chametzky

Deborah Huffine

Barbara Yalof

Samantha Fecich

Admission requirements.

Quick Guide to College Course Types

Find the right college for you..

You’re going to have a lot of new experiences in college with different types and styles of courses. You may take a gen-ed in a large lecture hall, or find yourself doing research for a major-specific class in a lab. Here’s an overview of the different college course types and delivery styles.

Orientation Classes

An orientation course is a short educational program that formally introduces first-year college students to the school. Orientation helps new students learn about their college campus and its rules and familiarizes them with the services and resources that the school offers. Orientation classes are designed to get new students excited and prepared for the start of their academic journey. For most colleges, attending orientation is required.

First-Year Seminars

Many colleges now offer first-year seminars designed to help new students make the college transition. These courses will prepare you for future classes by providing the tools and study habits necessary for success. First-year seminars can be one-to-three credit electives, a full semester course, or part of a longer orientation program. However, these seminars differ from standard orientations, which are more about introducing the school, campus, and staff.

General Education Classes/Core Courses

As the first part of any degree, general education classes or “gen-eds” are the courses a student must take before getting into major-specific studies. General education classes are required by a college’s core curriculum and may include basic math, science, and humanities classes. For example, a student majoring in biology may still need two semesters of English courses as part of their general education. Some general education classes/core courses can be satisfied prior to first-semester enrollment if the student meets certain AP® and IB test scores.

Major-Specific Classes

Major-specific classes are the classes required by your specific field of study. Your academic adviser can help you understand which courses are necessary for your major. It's important that you meet with your adviser at least once a semester to ensure that you remain on the path to satisfying these requirements.

Elective Classes

Unlike the process for general education and major-specific classes, students usually have a degree of freedom in choosing their elective classes. Even though elective credits may be a requirement for your major, your electives don’t necessarily have to be related to your field of study. Many students use elective classes as a way to explore educational interests outside of their major, such as an engineering student taking a dance class.

Lecture-Style Classes

Many gen-eds, electives, and lower-level major courses will be lecture-style classes. These are large classes held in a lecture hall, a theater-like room that may seat hundreds of students. The professor talks for the entire class while students take notes. Lecture classes are common in first-year courses. Students in these classes may also attend a related discussion class.

College Discussion Classes

Discussion classes (sometimes called sections) are often a required part of lecture classes. Discussions usually involve smaller groups of students led by a graduate student. You’ll do additional work, talk about the lecture, and have a chance to ask questions.

Laboratory Classes

Labs are usually part of a science lecture class. Students use what they’ve learned from the lectures to complete a laboratory assignment, such as creating a computer program or doing a physics experiment.

Studio-Style College Courses

Students who take hands-on classes such as art, theater, music, design, or photography will find themselves in a class environment that corresponds to what they are studying. A drawing class, for example, may be divided into two parts: a lesson class and a drawing studio.

Independent Study

For an independent-study class, a student and a professor design a study program for the student that is separate from regular courses . Independent study often requires a research project or a research review of readings on a central theme, as well as a series of papers or one major paper.

Online College Classes

Many traditional and online colleges offer classes to enrolled students over the internet. These online classes are usually conducted via a learning management system, a software or web application that students can use to submit assignments, see their syllabi, and even communicate with teachers and other students. Some courses may combine in-person class meetings with online course elements that are more self-paced and time-flexible.

What is a core subject in college?

Core academic subjects in college are the general education/core course requirements for each major, and they must be taken before starting major-specific studies. They can include basic classes in the humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences, and they may not all be directly related to your actual major.

How long are college classes?

College courses can vary in length depending on the number of credits and how many days a week the class is held. Usually, some classes will run an hour and 15 minutes and meet twice a week. Some classes might be three hours long and meet once a week, while some may be as short as 50 minutes and meet three times a week. Lab classes and discussion classes will vary in length depending on the subject and number of credits they provide; they are usually between 2 and 4 hours long.

What are the basic classes in college called?

The basic classes in college are called general education or core course requirements.

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What's a junior college.

Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase

If you’re scratching your head wondering what a junior college – sometimes called a community college – is, think of it as a step some students take to further their education beyond high school. Those enrolled in a junior college can pursue a two-year degree, pick up specific specialized skills, or use the experience to aim to transfer to a four-year college to continue to further their education.

Whether you’re aiming to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program or just want to obtain certain skills to enter the workforce, continue reading for more information about junior colleges, including their potential pros and cons.

What degrees does a junior college offer?

A junior college typically offers two-year associate degrees , including Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees.

Often, these degrees require students to take general education classes, like math, science, and language, and they usually require 60 credits and two years to complete. AA and AS degrees are usually considered transfer degrees, which means you can transfer the credits earned to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree if you choose.

AAS degrees are designed for students who want to enter the workforce immediately after they graduate. Most AAS degree programs require students to choose their specialty early on so they’re well prepared for entry-level career positions in a specific field upon graduation.

Pros and cons of a junior college

Like any education decision, some possible pros and cons come with attending a junior college. Weighing the potential pros and cons of attending a junior college may help you make a more informed decision on whether this type of school is a good fit for you.

Potential pros

Affordability: Junior colleges often have lower tuition costs than four-year colleges or universities, making these colleges potentially more accessible.

Flexibility: Many junior colleges offer flexible class schedules, including evening and weekend classes, which can accommodate students who work or have other responsibilities.

Transfer opportunities: Junior colleges often have transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities to allow students an easier path to transfer credits and continue their education at a higher level.

Potential cons

Limited degree options: Junior colleges may have a more limited range of degree programs compared to four-year colleges, potentially restricting students’ academic and career choices.

Campus resources: Junior colleges may have fewer resources and facilities compared to larger universities, which could impact the student experience.

Social environment: Some students may find that junior colleges have a less vibrant social environment than larger colleges with fewer extracurricular activities and a smaller student population.

Common FAQs about junior colleges

If you’re a student considering a junior college, here are some potential questions you might find yourself asking about this type of school.

What are class sizes like at junior colleges?

Class sizes at junior colleges will vary depending on the specific college, the subject area you pursue, and the course level of the class. If small class sizes are important to you, know that it’s possible to seek out junior colleges offering smaller classes. This may provide you with more personalized attention from instructors, more opportunities for class participation, and a supportive learning environment.

What are the admission requirements for a junior college?

Admission requirements for a junior college will vary depending on the specific college and the type of program a student is applying to. Typical admission requirements for a junior college may include the following:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• A completed application
• An application fee
• Some junior colleges may require students to provide placement tests in subjects such as math and English to determine appropriate course placement

Do junior colleges offer online courses?

Many junior colleges offer online courses to students. Additionally, some junior colleges may offer fully online degree programs, providing students the opportunity to earn their degree or a certificate entirely through online coursework.

Can I save money by attending a junior college?

According to the College Board Trends in College Pricing 2023 report , the average tuition for a public community college was $3,990 for the 2023-24 school year. In comparison, the price of attending a public four-year in-state university was $11,260 for the 2023-24 school year.

As you can see, the sticker tuition price at a junior college is much more affordable than a four-year college, though keep in mind that many students, because of financial aid, don’t end up paying the sticker tuition price to attend school. It’s also important to remember when considering the costs of different types of colleges that you still may have additional costs that come with attending college , such as textbooks, living expenses, and potentially extracurricular costs, to budget for.

Are there financial aid options for junior college students?

Students attending a junior or community college are eligible for financial aid opportunities. To receive federal financial aid, such as federal grants and student loans, it’s essential to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ) .

Final thoughts

Attending a junior college can be an opportunity to get your foot into the door of your college journey and may also help you save money. That said, junior colleges may not be a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering attending a junior college , weigh the potential pros and cons, and make sure a junior college degree will help you reach your overarching educational goals.

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Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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Safety Starts with Training

OSHA requires employers to provide training to workers who face hazards on the job. We create training materials, distribute training grants to nonprofit organizations, and provide training through authorized education centers.

Training Requirements and Resources

Before engaging in any potentially hazardous activities, workers must receive appropriate safety training from their employer, as defined in OSHA standards. Learn more about OSHA's training resources.

Outreach Training (10-Hour or 30-Hour Cards)

Outreach training courses are basic hazard awareness classes for workers delivered by OSHA-authorized trainers. They are not required by OSHA, but some localities and employers require them.

Find a Trainer | Replace a Card | Avoid Card Fraud

OSHA Training Institute Education Centers

The agency authorizes OSHA Training Institute Education Centers to deliver occupational safety and health training to the public and private sectors in all industries.

Find a Center | Search for Classes

Susan Harwood Training Grants

Named after worker safety advocate Susan Harwood, OSHA awards grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit organizations to help them develop and deliver training programs to workers and employers.

To obtain a replacement 10-hour or 30-hour card, contact your Outreach trainer. A replacement card can only be issued if the class was taken within the last five years. OSHA does not keep records of these classes and cannot provide a replacement card.

Finding a Funding Opportunity

Learn about the application process for the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program .