{"id":2169,"date":"2022-04-28T15:00:09","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T15:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miacademy-blog-3f61b5.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=2169"},"modified":"2025-11-10T21:22:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T21:22:39","slug":"accredited","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miacademy.co\/homeschool-curriculum\/how-to-homeschool\/accredited\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need An Accredited Online Homeschool Curriculum?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When searching for the perfect online homeschool program, you\u2019ve probably come across the term \u201caccredited.\u201d<\/em> It sounds official\u2014but what does it really mean? Can a curriculum be accredited, and if so, by whom? Do you actually need an accredited homeschool program, or is it simply a nice-to-have?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Miacademy, we\u2019ve chosen to pursue accreditation for all of our offerings, meeting the standards for both complete curricula and full schools (such as MOHS). But what exactly does choosing an accredited homeschool program mean for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can a homeschool curriculum be accredited?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a popular misconception that a homeschool curriculum cannot receive accreditation, since it is a curriculum and not a school. This is not entirely accurate \u2014 homeschool curricula can be accredited, they just receive a different type of accreditation than a school would. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean if a curriculum is accredited?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A curriculum being accredited means that the content has been reviewed for rigor and quality by a third party agency.<\/strong> Essentially, passing this review gives a curriculum a stamp of approval \u2013 one that is continuously revisited and renewed in order for a curriculum to keep its accreditation status. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accreditation process<\/a> is voluntary, and it is used to establish credibility. Lack of accreditation does not necessarily mean a program is low quality \u2013 it simply means that the program has not decided to complete the accreditation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to know that the accreditation that a program or curriculum receives is different from the accreditation a school or institution would, because they serve different purposes. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A curriculum or program\u2019s purpose is to be used as a tool for learning, not to issue degrees or diplomas. For example, when you graduate high school, your diploma isn\u2019t awarded by your textbooks or lessons \u2014 it\u2019s issued by your school, usually presented by the principal and often signed or approved by the superintendent. The same textbook can be issued across several schools, but only the school you attended can verify that you have mastered its contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is SEP accreditation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a homeschool curriculum is accredited, it\u2019s likely accredited as a SEP, or supplemental education program. But what does that mean exactly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEP accreditation is a type of accreditation designed specifically for curricula and educational programs<\/strong>, rather than full schools or institutions. A supplemental education program can<\/strong> be a complete curriculum, as the SEP title does not relate to the completeness of the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of accreditation recognizes that a program meets established standards for quality, consistency, and academic rigor\u2014but unlike school accreditation<\/strong>, it applies specifically to curricula and educational programs rather than full institutions.<\/strong> This specific accreditation confirms that the program provides reliable, well-developed instruction that supports student learning, even if it isn\u2019t a traditional school that grants diplomas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, the SEP label does not mean the curriculum is any less complete\u2014it just shows that it\u2019s accredited as a program, not as a full school.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Miacademy accredited?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes! Our K-8 and high school<\/a> programs each provide a comprehensive, all-in-one homeschool curriculum and are accredited through the ACS-WASC<\/a> as supplementary education programs (SEPs). This title does not relate to the completeness of a curriculum. It is simply the term used for programs which do not offer degrees or diplomas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between an accredited and non-accredited homeschool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main difference between an accredited homeschool curriculum and a non-accredited one is the promise of quality assurance.<\/strong> In addition, an accredited curriculum may help you satisfy your state\u2019s homeschool requirements<\/a> more easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, accredited homeschool curricula have established the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The program has been reviewed by a qualified independent faculty with no relation to the program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The curriculum will be continually re-evaluated in order to maintain accreditation status.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The content is student-focused.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The program strives for educational excellence and effectiveness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. The curriculum was created and maintained by certified educators.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum if…<\/p>\n\n\n\n