The MDHSA High School Diploma is recognized by the PDE and the PHEAA as substantially equivalent to a public high school diploma and should be accepted as such for all intents and purposes. This diploma is available to all students who have read and met the requirement in the MDHSA Diploma Guide.
This information is also available on video: MDHSA Diploma Program Overview.
There are five diplomas awarded by MDHSA:
The Standard Diploma (see requirements below) is awarded to anyone who completes the minimum requirements of the PA home education law in accordance with the MDHSA program as outlined in the Diploma Guide.
Honorary Diploma – The Diploma with Academic Honors is awarded to those students who have completed an academically enriched program. The enriched program would include college preparatory English, History, Science, and Math classes. Foreign language study must be included.
Honorary Diploma – The Diploma with Distinction – (Leadership / Service OR Academic Achievement) is awarded to those students who have shown excellence or eminence of leadership, service, or character OR performance in any specific subject or area.
Honorary Diploma – The Diploma for Performance in Fine Arts with three subsidiary categories is awarded for Music, Drama, Dance, and Fine Arts (painting, drawing, ceramics, fiber arts, etc.)
Honorary Diploma – The Vocational Honors is awarded to those students who have completed courses and credits in a specific vocational / technical area (mechanical, technical, agriculture, computer science, etc.).
All diplomas are requested by the submission of a Diploma Request form and the required fees. A third party recommendation is required for the honorary diplomas, preferably someone who has assisted the student to complete the requirements for the honor.
General Requirements for the Standard Diploma
These are minimum requirements based on the minimum requirements of the PA Home Education law-we expect most students to go beyond these
- Subject Areas – The student must study at least the following number of units in these subject areas between 9th and 12th grades. 4 units of English 3 units of Math 3 units of Science 3 units of Social Studies 2 units of Arts and Humanities
- Minimum Courses – These courses must be studied some time between 7th and 12th grades: Geography Civics World History General Math Algebra Geometry Music Art Physical Education Health and Physiology History of the U.S. History of PA Safety Education/Fire Safety
- Credits – Any ONE of these methods may be used to earn one unit of credit:
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- Completion of at least two-thirds of a textbook. One-third of a textbook counts as one half of a unit of credit.
- One hundred twenty daily logged entries of study or activities related to the course content.
- Logged entries describing at least 120 hours of study and/or activities related to the course content. Note: Logged Entries and hours are not interchangeable.
- Completion of a substantial research paper or research project using a minimum of three non-encyclopedic resources, including at least two non-internet resources. Completion of a college course, by correspondence, on the Internet, or on campus.
- Passing test score on an Advanced Placement (AP) or College Level Examination Program Exam (CLEP) or other specific college course exam.
- Participation in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program.
- Completing a public or private high school course.
- Any other evidence of completion of a course, at the discretion of the evaluator.
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- Public Speaking – 15 hours of public speaking from 7th – 12th grades. This includes instruction in public speaking, preparing, researching, practicing, teaching (Sunday School, etc), debates, drama, etc. One public performance is required between 7th and 12th grades.
- Reading Requirement – There is not a specific number of books required per year, however, a variety of genre is required.
- Composition Requirement –10 pages per year. The pages may be one long paper or several partial-page summaries of school studies or any combination and may be in any subject; they may be book reports, essays, creative writings, stories, etc. No research paper is required for the general diploma.
MDHSA does not sell curriculum, nor does it dictate what curriculum to use. However, there are curriculum suggestions in the “MDHSA Diploma Guide” as well as in the MDHSA “Fine Art of Homeschooling” booklet. Families choose and acquire their own curriculum. An MDHSA Evaluator evaluates your program at the end of the year.
“Thank you! You have provided such a valuable resource for homeschoolers. Thank you for your thorough process, your efficiency, and the ease in which you give to parents desiring your diploma–even ‘last minute’ like us.”
-Parent of a Diploma Program Graduate