MDHSA High School Diploma Program

In 1990 the question was posed - who should award PA homeschool students' diplomas so that they could qualify for financial aid in PA?  The homeschool law had passed in 1988, legalizing homeschooling and providing requirements for graduation from a home education program.  However, no PA homeschool stduents could qualify for financial aid.  You could not have your superintendent sign that you had completed home education requirements and receive financial aid - that was not allowed until many years later.  Philip Mulvihill, Chief of the Office of Advisory Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) proposed that homeschool organizations develop diploma programs to award diplomas to home educated students.  His premise was that the homeschool organizations, not the state, should oversee and develop criteria for diplomas that would be recognized by the PDE and the PA Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) so that those students would be eligible for financial aid.

The PA Home Education Law, Act 169-1988 requires that the parent/supervisor keep a portfolio that shall consist of "a log, made contemporaneously with instruction, which designates by title the reading materials used, samples of any writing, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student" documenting 180 days or 990 hours (7-12th grades.)  The law also requires that the student be evaluated at the end of the school year by an evaluator who meets the requirements of the home education law.  The evaluator meets with the student, reviews the portfolio and log, and writes an evaluation certifying that the student is receiving an appropriate education, defined in PA as "sustained progress in the overall program."  The parent submits a copy of the evaluation to the school district.  Additionally, a diploma program in Pennsylvania is required to have the evaluator determine if the student has met the organization's criteria for credits and for graduation.  Diploma Programs in PA must keep on file a copy of each 9-12th evaluation and the credit information signed by an evaluator.  Diploma programs are prohibited from issuing a diploma to any candidate whose PA educational program is under review or pending a hearing for non-compliance until the review of hearing is completed and confirms that an appropriate education has occured.

Mason Dixon Homeschoolers Association (MDHSA) is a local support group in Franlin County, PA that was founded in 1986.  This organization also conducts a diploma program which is a separate entity from the support group.  Students who desire to register with the diploma program are not required to become members of the MDHSA local support group.  Also, any student participating in the MDHSA Diploma program is not automatically a member of MDHSA, which requires a membership form with dues to be mailed to the MDHSA office.  Families living at a distance from MDHSA would not be able to participate in local activities, except for receiving the MDHSA newsletter, so it usually would not be beneficial for them to join the local support group.  If a family submits an MDHSA membership form to MDHSA, the student will NOT be registered with the diploma program.  The MDHSA office will have no way of knowing that this student desires to participate in the diploma program.  Each student must only submit a Diploma Program Registration Form found in the forms section of the Diploma Guide or in the Diploma Program Forms section of this website not a MDHSA membership form.

Summary of Diploma Program

The MDHSA High School Diploma is recognized by the PDE and the PHEAA as substatially 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.

There are four diplomas awarded by MDHSA

1. The General Diploma 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.
2. 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 should be included.
3. Honorary Diploma - The Diploma with Distinction is awarded to those students who have shown excellence or eminence of character or performance in any area.
4. 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.)

All diplomas are requested by the submission of a Diploma Request form and the required fees.  The evaluator, the supervisor, and the student must sign the application form.  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

1. 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
2. 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
3. Credits - Any ONE of thse methods may be used to earn one unit of credit:  LIST TO COME SOON
4. 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.
5. Reading Requirement:  There is not a specific number of books required per year, however, a variety of genre is required.
6. 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, or tell you what curriculum to use although there are curriculum suggestions in the Diploma Guide and in the MDHSA Fine Art of Homeschooling booklet.  You choose and acquire your own curriculum.  An MDHSA evaluator evaluates your program at the end of the year.

COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE CHANGE:  There is a change to the requirement for Pennsylvania students who are above the compulsory school age.  MDHSA started its diploma program in 1997 and awarded its first diploma in 1998.  MDHSA submitted its standards and procedures to the PA Department of Education (PDE) in 1997.  In the 1997 Diploma Guide, PA students who were above the compulsory school age were given the choice to file an affidavit/portfolio with the local school district or not to file an affidavit.  However, the MDHSA Diploma Guide stipulated that MDHSA students who were not going to file an affidavit had to continue keeping a portfolio/log and continue having an evaluator evaluate their program.  This was all included in the Diploma Guide that was sent to the PA Department of Education in 1997.  MDHSA has continued this policy, which was accepted by the PA Department of Education, since they accepted our diploma guide/standards and procedures.

However, in June of 2008, MDHSA and all other diploma programs, received a letter from the PA Department of Education that this would not longer be permitted.  Any students who turn 17 must continue filing an affidavit and keep a portfolio, even if they are in a PA Diploma Program.  If you have any concerns or questions about this or problems with your school district, please contact Sarah Pearce at the PA Department of Education in writing, either by e-mail or by postal mail and please send a copy to MDHSA at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or to

• MDHSA
• 32 West Main Street, #5
• Waynesboro, PA  17268

The addresses for Sarah Pearce are:

• Sarah Pearce
• Commonwealth of PA
• Department of Education
• 333 Market Street
• Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333
• This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Getting Started in the Diploma Program

A parent who desires to have a student participate in the MDHSA diploma program will first need to order a Diploma Guide which will be mailed to the parent.   The diploma guide is NOT on this website.  In this booklet will be instructions on how to determine credits, information about transferring credits from public school to homeschool, how to have transcripts sent to colleges, and information on obtaining the diploma and much more.  The parent and student must both read the Diploma Guide and then both of them must sign the registration form stating that they have read the guide AND have read the advisement in the Diploma Guide.  This insures that both the student and parent understand their responsibilities and the procedures involved in the diploma program.

You may order the Diploma Guide for $6 from MDHSA and should receive it in the mail in 1-2 weeks.  Be sure to tell us what you are ordering!  If you do not receive it in that time, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or if necessary, call 717-749-5767 and leave a message and please speak clearly and slowly!

Please make checks payable to MDHSA and mail to:

• MDHSA DIploma Guide
• 32 West Main Street, #5
• Waynesboro, PA  17268

A partial listing of some of the Diploma Guide Topics:

• Portfolio/evaluation requirements
• College
• Course Titles
• Honorary diplomas
• Transfer Students
• Students with disabilities waiver
• Earning Credits
• Coursework accumulated in more than one year

After you receive the Diploma Guide, you should mail in the Registration Form, the Registration fee, and any evaluations and summaries for 9th to 12th studies that are completed.  You do not need to register with MDHSA until after you receive your 9th grade evaluation.  You may register at a later date if needed.  We must receive copies of both the evaluation and the Annual Summary Form to be in compliance with the MDHSA agreement with the PA Department of Education.  No file will be opened for a student until the registration fee is received.

 If you have been involved in another diploma program, you should send us copies of transcripts completed while in that program.  You do not need to put that information on one of our annual summary forms.  If you were in public or private school, you must contact them to obtain a transcript of academic work completed from 7th grade and up so that you can determine exactly what courses you need to take.  Send the transcripts to MDHSA along with the registration form and fee.  It would be helpful to give copies of the public school/private school transcipts to the evaluator but they should NOT put these courses on an Annual Summary form or we may enter them into your transcript twice!  If you want a status report, you should request one when you send the registration form and include the $10 fee for an early status reprot (prior to the one sent automatically in the fall of the student's 12th grade year.)

If you do not have an MDHSA evaluator, you may ask your current evaluator to complete the evaluator agreement in the back of the Diploma Guide, OR you may peruse the evaluator list on our website (MDHSA Evaluator List) to see if there is an evaluator you would like to contact.  You may also send a self-addressed stamped envelope and request an evaluator list.

Diploma Program Evaluators

A MDHSA diploma program evaluator must evaluate the student and accept the course credits and sign the Annual Summary Form signifying that he has accepted the credits.  The evaluator must order and read the Diploma Guide.  He then signs the MDHSA Evaluator Agreement Form found in the DIploma Guide, agreeing to evaluate according to MDHSA standards and make sure s/he is following MDHSA standards and not another diploma programs requirements.  S/He also submits credentials to MDHSA to validate that s/he is a qualified evaluator according to the PA Homeschool Law.  The evaluator does not have to evaluate any other students for MDHSA.  Qualified evaluators are those with one or more of the following according to the PA Home Education Law:

1. PA Teacher Certification, whether current or not
2. 2 years teaching/grading experience in the past 10 years
3. Licensed  clinical psychologist
4. Certified School psychologist
5. An evaluator who does not meet any of the criteria in #1-4 but who has received permission from a school district superintendent to evaluate students in that district.  (To receive this permission, the parent must request of the superintendent to have that person evaluate his children.)  To make this go more smoothly, the evaluator or parent should write a letter making the superintendent aware of this provision as most superintendents are unaware of this section of the home education law.  He should include the following statement which includes a quote from the home education law:  According to the Pennsylvania home education law (Act 169-1988) "At the request of the supervisor, persons with other qualifications (than those listed in the home education law) may conduct the evaluation with the prior consent of the district residence superintendent.  In no event shall the evaluator be the supervisor of their spouse."  To assure a positive answer, the evaluator may want to send a list of qualifications (education, teaching experience involvement in home education, books read, workshops attended, workshops taught, etc.) to the superintendent.  BE SURE TO READ AND KNOW THE LAW BEFOREHAND.

Evaluators may request to have their name on the MDHSA PA Evaluators list on the website by checking the appropriate box on the evaluator's agreement form.

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What are some of the MDHSA diploma program's strengths and characteristics?

• MDHSA believes that the education of children is the parents' responsibility and privilege and that MDHSA should facilitate rather than dictate the education of students.
• Flexibility and a respect for families are the major strong points of the MDHSA diploma program.
• A family may choose to do "just the law" or a student may aspire to go the "extra mile" and earn an honors diploma either in Academics, Fine Arts, or Distinction.
• The student may graduate any time of the year, as soon as his/her coursework is completed and submitted to MDHSA.
• MDHSA allows students to earn a credit over the course of more than one year if needed. 
• A student may graduate in less - or more! - than four years.
• MDHSA sends out a preliminary transcript and status report or record of the student's studies free of charge at the beginning of 12th grade (usually in the fall) to communicate what coursework has been submitted and what is still needed.  This gives the student time to take any courses that s/he may have missed and avoid not having enough credits to graduate.  (The student should register before January 1 of his senior year to guarantee receiving this service.  Registrations after that time will receive a status report if time allows or if the student sends a status report request for $10.)  As far as known, other diploma programs do not provide this preliminary status report.
• MDHSA makes every effort to work with the students with an unusual educational history.  All grades of C or above will be accepted to be transferred from public or private school.  Grades lower than a C in the required subjects will be accepted for credit only with prior approval if the student purchases an early status report and explains the circumstances of the lower grades.  The public or private school transcript will be evaluated and you will be contacted with our recommendations.  These will be reviewed on a case by case basis.  The student may purchase the early status report BEFORE registering with the diploma program if s/he so desires.  There is a place to do so on the Diploma Program Registration Form.
• Homeschooled students in other states participate in MDHSA's diploma program to verify their "graduation" for various reasons.  Missionaries also like the MDHSA program as they can "do it their way" wherever they are and still have their child receive a diploma that allows them to avoid being treated as a graduate from a foreign program.  MDHSA is honored to share this service with those who have a need.  If a PA homeschooled student moves to another state, s/he may continue participating in the MDHSA diploma program.
• MDHSA provides a professional looking diploma created by Jostens with the MDHSA seal and cover.
• The Parent and Evaluator sign the diploma.
• Transcripts are provided to colleges upon request.
• MDHSA creates a professional looking transcript using the information on the annual summary form provided by the parent and evaluator.  The evaluator does NOT make up the transcript, thus there are no handwritten transcripts to send to colleges.
• A Graduation ceremony is provided in Chambersburg/Franklin County area if desired to participate.  Attendance is not required.

2.  How much does it cost?

As of 02/24/09:

• Registration Fee:  $40 (one time only, NOT yearly)
• Diploma Fee:  $45 and is not due until the end of 12th grade when you submit the Diploma Request Form
• Transcript Requests to colleges or for other use:  $5 per transcript
• Status Report automatically sent the fall before graduation (Beginning of 12th grade year):  Free of charge 
• Early Status Report Request (prior to the beginning of 12th grade):  $10 fee.  For example, if the student is transferring from public or private school or from another state and s/he desires help deciding which courses are still needed to graduate, the status report will give him/her that information.  S/He should request a status report and enclose the fee when s/he registers with the program.  S/He should also order an early status report if s/he has any transfer grades in the required subjects below a C.
• Other fees as services are added, but will not be required to receive a diploma.

3.  Why do Families choose to use diploma programs?

Diploma programs, as a separate entity, are not found in other states.  However, homeschoolers in other states do use correspondence and distance learning programs as well as umbrella schools, and the GED, as well as parent issued diplomas.  Below are some reasons families have chosen to use Diploma Programs.

• Cost is one reason families choose this option.  The fees for most diploma programs run under $100 for the total program, as opposed to hundreds of dollars for correspondence/umbrella schools or distance learning.
• Flexibility is another.  Correspondence schools and distance learning programs require families to use THEIR curricula in THEIR way and may require the family to hold to an arbitrary schedule or certain number of hours requirements as well.  Diploma programs (at least MDHSA) recognize that parents should set goals, choose approaches/methods/curricula.
• A diploma issued by a third party is something with which family members who do not support homecshooling can identify.  For some families, this is worth the price of the diploma program.
• Some families like having someone else maintain transcripts and send them to colleges.  There is no need to run to the notary every time a college or employer requests a transcript.  Just send the transcript request to MDHSA and "they" take care of it.
• Many parents like the idea of a third party issued diploma, especially parents of students who are not attending college.  Many employers simply do not consider a parent-issued diploma the same as a school-issued diploma.
• Many students delay pursuing a post-high school education for several years.  A diploma from a third party can be useful to the student in obtaining employment during the interim.
• Financial aid for college is a major reason many families choose this option.  In PA, only the following may receive financial aid under the State Grant Law:  Graduates from an approved high school, students who have received a GED, students who have a diploma program diploma, and students who have their local school district superintendent certify that their home education complies with the Home Education Law.  Some families are uncomfortable with having a superintendent "validate" their home education and would rather choose a home education organization made up of home educating parents, and not public school personnel.  They also would rather have a beautiful diploma that they can display and use to prove that they have a diploma if needed at a later date.  Students who receive correspondence school diplomas are not eligible for financial aid unless they have filed the paperwork required in Act 169 (PA Home Education Law) and are able to obtain a signed statement from their superintendent.

4.  How do I get started with the MDHSA Diploma Program?

First, you should purchase the Diploma Program Guide ($6 by mail payable to MDHSA) and read it carefully, so that you understand what is expected of you.  You should not submit any material until you have read the guide, and the Student and Supervisor (parent) have both signed that they have read the guide and the advisement and agree to abide by those guidelines.

Then, you should mail in the Registration Form, the registration fee, and any evaluations and annual summaries for 9th to 12th grade studies completed.  You do not need to register with MDHSA until after you receive your 9th grade evaluation.  You may register at a later date if needed.  We must receive copies of both the evaluation and the Annual Summary Form to be in compliance with the MDHSA agreement with the PA Department of Education.  No file will be opened for a student until the registration fee is received.

If you have been involved in another diploma program, you should send us copies of transcripts completed while in that program.  If you were in public or private school, you must contact them to obtain a transcript of acadmeic work completed from 7th grade and up, so that you can determine exactly what courses you need to take.  Send the transcripts to MDHSA along with the Registration Form and fee.  If you want a Status Report, you should request one when you send the Registration Form and include the $10 fee for an early status report (prior to the one sent automatically at the beginning of 12th grade.)

If you do not have an MDHSA evaluator, you may ask your current evaluator to complete the evaluator agreement in the back of the guide, OR you may peruse the evaluator list on our website to see if there is an evaluator you would like to contact.  You may also send a self-addressed stamped envelope and request an evaluator list.

5.  How do I have transcripts sent to a college?

An MDHSA graduate will receive one completed transcript with her/his diploma, for their own files.  In order to have transcripts sent to colleges or other interested parties, students should mail a completed Transcript Request Form to the MDHSA office with the accompanying fee(s).  You must allow two weeks turn around time from the time we receive the transcript request and the time it is sent to the college.  If you have not submitted your Social Security Number and Date of Birth to MDHSA, you should do so when you submit the Transcript Request.  Colleges routinely request this information and the absence of this information on the transcript form usually results in the college discarding the transcript because the admissions office is unable to match it with an application.  To receive confirmation that the transcripts were mailed to a college, enclose a self-addressed stamped #10 envelope.

6.  Is the MDHSA diploma accredited?  Can my students get into college?

No PA Diploma Program diploma is accredited no matter what its name.  All PA Diploma programs have been given recognition by the PA Department of Education to award diplomas.  No diploma program is an "official" PA Department of Education approved diploma.

We cannot guarantee your student acceptance to a college - that depends on the difficulty of the courses the student takes (whether easy courses or tough courses,) whether he takes a full load each year or takes only the minimum needed to graduate.  Colleges want to see a student who has gone the extra mile.  Also the student is more acceptable to a college if he has been involved in several extra-curricular or work related activities to show that he has varied interests and abilities.

Testimonials

• This is just a brief note of thanks.  Thanks for existing and bringing forth an example of excellence.  This past month our son endeavored to attain a state ID.  However, his Social Security Card had been misplaced in our recent relocation.  Our efforts eventually brought us to the Social Security Office in Norristown.  Having filled out our forms and waited in extensive lines, the Social Security officer informed us that in the absence of a "normal" school ID, they would be unable to process our request for a re-issue of our son's card.  Around and around we went.  Finally, in an effort to dismiss us, the officer sarcastically inquired if we just might happen to have a diploma with us.  We did!  Several officials examined the diploma issued by you and decided that it appeard "official enough" and processed our request.  JH
• We just had to let you know how impressed we were with the 2008 graduation ceremony on June 28, 2008.  We had no idea what was going to take place.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  All our guests complimented at how everything flowed so well.  Our son was very happy that he decided to be a part of it.  . . . . . . Your professionalism is outstanding.  J & C H.
• Thank you for all your help.  Without your program, I fear my son may have dropped out, but thanks to MDHSA he worked for and received his High School Diploma!  Thank you for all of your help!  JF
• I Love Mason Dixon because they are so easy to contact.  You can get a diploma year round.  My clients love it.
• You are great!  JP