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BYU Independent Study
General Summary
- Accredited, self-paced online courses for middle school, high school, and college levels
- Extensive catalog with core subjects, AP courses, electives, and specialized offerings
- Flexible 12-month completion window with certified instructor support
- Moderate cost compared to many online programs
Academic Quality: Strong Preparation
Many parents praise the academic rigor and college preparation:
"Wonderful folks and teachers, solid educational preparation, challenging but doable, best suited for well-organized and motivated kids." http://niche.com/ Parent Review
"The biology, chemistry, and geometry classes were the best of all of the ones we've tried." Well-Trained Mind Forum
"It is definitely very academically rigorous and does a great job preparing you for high school... if you didn't grasp [something] they normally have tutors or instructors you can reach out to and get help." http://niche.com/ Student Review
Convenience & Flexibility: Learn Anytime, Anywhere
The program's flexibility is frequently highlighted:
"[My daughter] took their Meteorology course and enjoyed it." Its Not That Hard to Homeschool
"Most educational institutions accept transferred course credit." Southeast Homeschool Expo
Instructor Support: Responsive & Helpful
Many families appreciate the teacher support:
"The instructor feedback [had] a 2-3 business day turnaround... The faculty seem very helpful and [made] the experience fun." Degree Forum
Common Challenges: Quality Variations & Self-Pacing Issues
Parents also note potential drawbacks to consider:
"Classes do vary in quality... I've been disappointed with some of the math courses and I haven't finished any of the English courses because I don't think they are rigorous enough." Well-Trained Mind Forum
"It wasn't terrible but we were not impressed – it was more of a 'check the box' class. It was easy for her and there wasn't much feedback." Well-Trained Mind Forum
"She signed up for [the BYU] Russian independent study course, and it was very poorly taught (required rote memorization of words and phrases with no support in learning the alphabet first) and she did not really have access to a teacher, so she withdrew." Well-Trained Mind Community
"It's very different from an actual school environment... [recommend it] if you're confident in your ability to get things done [on your own schedule]." M-A Chronicle
Content Perspective: Secular but University-Affiliated
Some students noted university perspectives in content:
"[Some courses teach] political or other controversial opinions (Global Warming is real, please wear sunscreen and clothing covering everything)... Nevertheless, it is a fantastic program." http://niche.com/ Student Review
Who Thrives With BYU Independent Study?
Well-Suited For:
- Self-motivated, independent learners who manage time well
- Students needing flexible scheduling around other commitments
- Homeschoolers seeking accredited courses with transferable credit
- Families wanting specific electives or courses not available locally
- Students needing to make up credits or accelerate their education
Consider Alternatives If:
- Your child requires daily structure and supervision
- You're seeking highly interactive, discussion-based learning
- Your student is a NCAA Division I athletic prospect
- Your child needs specialized accommodations or hands-on learning
- You prefer faith-based curriculum with religious integration
Our Bottom Line
BYU Independent Study offers academically solid, accredited courses with the flexibility many homeschoolers desire. The quality varies by subject—science and math courses generally receive high marks, while some language and humanities courses receive mixed reviews. Students who are self-motivated and disciplined tend to thrive with this format, while those needing more structure or interaction may struggle. Parents should be prepared to monitor progress closely, especially for younger students. Overall, BYU Independent Study represents a reliable, established option for accredited distance learning at a reasonable cost, particularly valuable for specific subjects or special scheduling needs.
Subjects covered
High School Core Subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Arts, Business, Health & Physical Education
Electives: Astronomy, Meteorology, Economics, Law, and various World Languages (including less common languages like Korean)
Advanced Options: Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses available for subjects like AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP English
Middle School Subjects: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and introductory electives like Art and Health Education
University Courses: Over 200 online college courses covering disciplines such as biology, mathematics, physical sciences, business management, social sciences, and languages
Special Offerings: Free non-credit courses in areas like Family History and scripture study
Teaching Format
Online delivery: Web-based platform accessible from any internet-connected device
Self-paced structure: Students progress through material at their own speed; up to 12 months to complete a course
Interactive lessons: Engaging content including written text, videos, games, simulations, and interactive labs
Assessment approach: Assignments graded by instructors or automatically graded; final exams require proctoring
Lesson structure: Courses divided into lessons with defined learning objectives; most lessons conclude with an assignment or quiz
Teacher support: Certified instructors available for questions; feedback typically within 1-3 business days
Implementation flexibility: Open-entry/open-exit enrollment; can be used for full curriculum or individual courses
Optional printed materials: Printed course readings packet available for those who prefer offline reading
Pricing
Middle and High School Courses (Individual Enrollment): Each course requires a one-time tuition payment (no recurring monthly fees)
Single one-semester high school course (0.5 credit): Approximately $200–$300 USD
Standard courses: Around $150–$200
Specialized courses (or two-part full-credit courses): Closer to $250
Middle school course prices: Similar, often around $150 for a semester-equivalent course
Course access duration: One year from enrollment date
Extension fee: Approximately $20 for a 3-month extension
Free tutoring support: Two sessions per week included
BYU Online High School (Full-Time Diploma Program): Approximately $3,900 per year for high school
University Courses: Charged per credit hour
Cost per credit hour: Approximately $148
Typical 3-credit course cost: Around $444
Paper-based coursework fee: $30 per course if opted
Free Courses: Non-credit enrichment courses available
Required materials: Not included in tuition; families must obtain separately
Proctored exams: May have a fee at testing centers; many are free or nominal fee
Financial aid: Generally not provided for individual high school courses; some charter schools may cover costs
Parent Involvement
High involvement required
Middle School: High parent involvement; parents act as learning coaches, organizing study schedules and monitoring progress regularly
Daily responsibilities: Parents need to log in with students, check assignment submissions, and communicate with instructors if issues arise
Preparation: Parents should help explain instructions or concepts as needed; they may need to sit with students during lessons
High School: Moderate involvement; students take more responsibility but parents should still supervise and facilitate
Assessment duties: Parents help set target due dates and check that students are on pace to finish courses
Overall commitment: Parents must be prepared to mentor and monitor students closely, especially for younger learners
