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Do You Need a Teaching Degree to Homeschool in Minnesota?
Key Takeaways
- No—most Minnesota homeschool families do NOT need a teaching degree or license
- Minnesota offers six qualification pathways; parents using the most common option (parent + annual testing) need no special credentials
- A bachelor’s degree is ONE possible qualification but not required for the parent-as-instructor model
- HBEAA accreditation is an alternative pathway that also doesn’t require a degree
- The flexibility of Minnesota’s qualification system is a major advantage for homeschooling families
The Short Answer
No, you don’t need a teaching degree to homeschool legally in Minnesota.
The most commonly used qualification pathway—being the parent of your child and administering annual standardized testing—requires no degree, license, or special training. Thousands of Minnesota homeschoolers teach their children successfully without teaching credentials.
However, Minnesota does require that the homeschool instructor meet one of six specific qualification criteria. Let’s break down what those are and why most families don’t need a degree.
The Six Qualification Options
Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 120A.22) permits instruction by any person who meets at least ONE of these criteria:
Option 1: Valid Minnesota Teaching License
Hold a current Minnesota teaching license (in any subject area). This is straightforward if you’re a credentialed teacher, but it’s not necessary for other options.
Option 2: Direct Supervision by a Licensed Minnesota Teacher
Instruction can be provided by anyone if directly supervised by a person holding a valid Minnesota teaching license. “Direct supervision” means the licensed teacher is present or actively overseeing curriculum and instruction.
This is less common in family homeschooling but useful for group instruction scenarios.
Option 3: Teacher Competency Examination
Successfully complete a teacher competency examination, such as:
- Praxis exams (subject-area assessments used to credential teachers)
- Passing the exam demonstrates subject-matter knowledge without needing a degree or license
This option is rarely used by homeschoolers but available for those who want to demonstrate subject competency formally.
Option 4: Accredited School Instruction
Provide instruction through a school (including homeschool) accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as:
- Home-Based Educators’ Accrediting Association (HBEAA)
- Other recognized accrediting organizations
This pathway is popular among Minnesota homeschoolers. HBEAA accreditation requires an application, curriculum review, and home visit, but no degree. Added benefit: HBEAA-accredited families are exempt from annual standardized testing.
Option 5: Bachelor’s Degree (From Accredited College/University)
Hold a baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree from an accredited college or university, in any field.
Important: A bachelor’s degree alone does NOT exempt you from annual testing. You must combine this qualification with annual standardized testing of your child. Many homeschool families have degrees but still choose Option 6 (parent + testing) because the two options function similarly.
Option 6: Parent as Instructor + Annual Testing (Most Popular)
Be the parent/guardian of the child, with the child assessed annually using a nationally norm-referenced standardized test.
This is the most accessible and widely used pathway. It requires:
- No special training or credentials
- No degree or license
- Only that you administer an annual standardized test and keep the receipt
Why Most Families Don’t Need a Degree
Option 6 dominates Minnesota homeschooling because it’s the most practical:
- No credentials required — You’re the child’s parent; that’s sufficient qualification
- Costs nothing extra — No exam fees, no accreditation application costs; only the standardized test fee ($50)
- Clear compliance path — Test receipt = proof of compliance
- Flexibility — You control curriculum, methods, and schedule
- No approval process — Unlike HBEAA, no application or home visit needed (though reporting still required)
The logic: If a parent ensures their child takes an annual standardized test, the test results provide objective evidence of learning. Minnesota trusts that parents who submit test results and file annual reports are providing meaningful instruction.
Scenario: Do You Have a Bachelor’s Degree?
If you happen to have a bachelor’s degree from any college (in any field—engineering, business, art, nursing, anything):
- You can use Option 5 (degree holder)
- However, you’d still need to administer annual standardized testing (degree alone doesn’t exempt you)
- Or you can use Option 6 (parent + testing)
Both lead to the same result: annual testing. Many homeschool parents simply use Option 6 because it’s simpler and the requirements are identical.
The HBEAA Accreditation Alternative
If you don’t have a degree and want to avoid annual standardized testing:
HBEAA accreditation (Option 4) is an alternative that:
- Does NOT require a teaching degree or bachelor’s degree
- Exempts you from annual standardized testing
- Provides professional accreditation (valuable for college admissions)
- Costs $300-500/year but saves test purchasing costs
The accreditation process involves:
- Submitting an application and curriculum plan
- A home visit by an HBEAA evaluator
- Annual compliance verification
More on HBEAA accreditation is available in the testing guide.
What If You Have Doubts About Your Ability to Teach?
Many parents worry: “I’m not a trained teacher. Can I really teach my kids?”
Yes, you can.
- Parents are different from classroom teachers. You know your child’s learning style, pace, and needs better than anyone. One-on-one instruction is often more effective than classroom instruction.
- You don’t need to design your own curriculum. Use established curricula (Abeka, Sonlight, Saxon Math, etc.) that come with teacher’s guides. These resources do the heavy instructional lifting.
- Subject expertise isn’t as important as you think. For elementary and middle grades, following a structured curriculum and using online resources (Khan Academy, YouTube, Outschool) makes you a capable instructor.
- Annual testing provides feedback. If test scores show gaps, you can adjust your approach or add support.
- Resources exist. Co-ops, tutors, and dual enrollment programs fill specific needs (especially high school math or science).
If You Don’t Meet Qualifications: Quick Fixes
If you’re concerned about qualifications, here are quick options:
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| You have no degree | Use Option 6 (parent + testing); no degree needed |
| You want to avoid testing | Get HBEAA accreditation (no degree required) |
| You want a degree fast | Some universities offer accelerated bachelor’s programs or online degrees |
| You need help with subjects | Hire a tutor (supervised instruction); use dual enrollment for high school subjects |
Minnesota’s Advantage
Minnesota’s flexible qualification system is one of the state’s greatest homeschool strengths. Unlike states requiring all homeschool instructors to hold teaching licenses, Minnesota recognizes that:
- Parents are capable educators when supported by structured curriculum and assessment
- Diversity of teaching backgrounds (diverse degrees, experiences, expertise) strengthens homeschooling
- Objective assessment (annual testing) is more important than credentials
Summary
You do NOT need a teaching degree to homeschool legally in Minnesota. The most accessible pathway—being the parent of your child and administering annual standardized testing—requires no special credentials whatsoever. If you prefer to avoid testing, HBEAA accreditation is available without a degree. Minnesota’s six-option system ensures that motivated parents can homeschool their children effectively and legally.
For detailed guidance on Minnesota homeschool laws and testing requirements, see the Laws & Requirements cluster.