High School Programs

About the Programs

The BYU Independent Study High School Transcript Programs are designed to help prepare a student who is 14 years of age (recommended age) and older for college or the job market. The student who travels a great deal, who is homebound due to illness, who must change addresses often, who is home educated, or who has not functioned well in the traditional high school setting will find that the high school programs can be beneficial in meeting his or her educational needs.

The BYU Independent Study High School Programs do not provide the student with a high school diploma; the student will instead receive an official transcript upon program completion. The official transcript can be used to apply to colleges and universities or may be used as proof of high school completion for potential employers.

A student may choose between two high school programs, the Standard Program or the Advanced Program. Each program requires the student to complete 24.0 credit hours; most of the required courses are worth 0.5 credit hour.

New HS Programs Requirements Effective September 1, 2010:
Students who enroll in either the Standard or Advanced Program as of September 1, 2010 are required to follow the requirements currently listed on the Web site. Students enrolled in either program prior to this date should continue following their previous Educational (Academic) Plan.

Standard Program

This is a traditional high school program, which satisfies basic high school requirements for admission to college. It also prepares the student to take the ACT or SAT exams.
Total required credits: 24

Advanced Program

This program’s requirements are more strenuous than those of the Standard Program, to better prepare the student to enter competitive colleges or universities. It also prepares the student to take the ACT or SAT exams.
Total required credits: 24

Application for both of the High School Programs


BYU Independent Study courses are secular in nature; therefore, a student�s religious affiliation does not factor into whether or not a student is eligible to participate in the program.

In order to successfully complete a high school program, a student must complete a minimum of 3.0 credit hours (six courses) through BYU Independent Study, regardless of the number of credits earned at other schools. It is recommended that a student plan to complete his or her high school studies through BYU Independent Study upon acceptance into a program. While enrolled in a BYU Independent Study Program students are expected to take courses through BYU Independent Study unless they have received previous approval from the High School Administrator.

Although each program is designed to be a four-year course of study, students may complete the requirements in less time. High school credits that a student has earned from other schools, which are accredited by legitimate accrediting agencies, are generally transferable and may be applied toward meeting program requirements.

Due to the nature of distance education learning, BYU Independent Study cannot designate a student�s status as part time or full time. A student who needs to earn recovery credits in order to remain in his or her local school and graduate on time should not apply to the Transcript Programs. He or she should plan to enroll only in the desired BYU Independent Study course(s) after consulting with an academic advisor. Courses may be ordered online or over the phone.

Note: A high school student who is seeking NCAA eligibility (or who may do so in the future) may not participate in the BYU Independent Study High School Programs.

Note: You do not have to be enrolled in a transcript program to sign up for Independent Study courses.

What is a Transcript?

A transcript is an official document that shows the courses a student has taken, the grades earned, and a cumulative grade point average. The transcript is not a diploma but may be used by employers or college admissions advisors as proof of educational background. Most colleges require that students submit a transcript, not a diploma, as part of the college admissions process.

How the Programs Work

Each program is designed to be a four-year course of study, but students may complete the requirements more quickly. Students may apply credits earned previously from any accredited institutions toward completion of the program. Upon acceptance to a transcript program, students are provided with an outline of the courses they must pass in order to complete the program. Students must complete at least three courses every six months in order to stay in the program. However, a student may request an extension when extenuating circumstances arise. Each course is worth 0.5 credit. Most course work may be completed at home, but final examinations must be taken under the direction of a full-time educator or librarian who is not a relative of the student. A student may call 1-800-914-8931 to find a proctor in his or her area.

How to Apply

Fill out the online application. The student needs to print the application and mail or fax it, with the $40 fee, to the address listed below. Contact all accredited institutions the student has attended and request that they send his or her transcripts, with seal and signature, to the address below. Faxed transcripts will not be accepted. Mail application materials to High School Programs, BYU Independent Study, 120 MORC, Provo, UT 84602. Transferring from one program to another requires a transfer fee of $20.

How to Get Started

When the High School Programs Department has received the application form, fee, and transcripts, it will take a minimum of three weeks, depending on volume, to evaluate the student's transcript(s). When accepted to a program, the student will receive a welcome letter and a student progress record (SPR). The student progress record shows the credits the student has already earned and the credits needed in order to meet the program requirements. Students can look online to see a list of courses that will satisfy the missing requirements. Once the student is accepted into a program, only BYU Independent Study courses will be applied toward completion.

How to Enroll in Courses

Once the student has chosen the courses needed, he or she may enroll by phone at 1-800-914-8931, or online by clicking the enroll button at the top of the page. The student must provide his or her Social Security number, address, phone number, and birth date in order to enroll. Most courses cost $126, not including required materials such as texts. Enrollment in a course is different than enrollment in the high school programs.

Upon Completion

Upon completion of each course, the student will receive a notice of completion stating grade and credit received for that course. When finished with the requirements for the high school program, the student will receive an official transcript.

NOTE: If not enrolled in a high school program, the student may enroll in any course of their choice at any time.