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No. Georgia has no teaching degree requirement for homeschooling parents. Here’s what the law actually requires.
Key Takeaways
- Parent/guardian needs only a high school diploma or GED
- No bachelor’s degree required
- No teaching certificate or credentials needed
- No college coursework required
- If you hire an instructor, they need a bachelor’s degree
The Legal Requirement: Diploma or GED
Under OCGA § 20-2-690, the parent or guardian providing homeschool instruction must hold:
- A high school diploma, OR
- A General Education Diploma (GED)
That’s the entire requirement. There is no provision for:
- Bachelor’s degree (not needed)
- Associate’s degree (not needed)
- Teaching certification (not needed)
- Specific subject credentials (not needed)
- College coursework in education (not needed)
- Any education beyond high school (not needed)
A parent with a GED and no college degree can legally homeschool and teach calculus, chemistry, American history, or any other subject in Georgia.
What You Don’t Need
Bachelor’s Degree Many parents worry they need a bachelor’s degree to homeschool. You don’t. Education level beyond high school is irrelevant to Georgia law.
Teaching Certification or License You don’t need a state teaching certificate. Teachers in public school need certification; homeschool parents don’t.
Degree in a Specific Subject You don’t need a math degree to teach math, an English degree to teach literature, or a science degree to teach biology. Your knowledge can come from life experience, self-study, or other sources.
Professional Credentials You don’t need to be a “qualified educator” in any formal sense. You’re not a professional educator; you’re a parent providing education.
College Credit Hours You don’t need to complete any college coursework. Some states require parents to complete X hours of education coursework per year; Georgia does not.
Background in Homeschooling You don’t need prior homeschooling experience. Your first child can be your first homeschool.
Why This Matters
Georgia’s low barrier to entry is intentional. The state trusts parents to direct their children’s education. This means:
You’re trusted as an educator. Georgia assumes a parent with a high school education is capable of teaching K–12.
You have freedom to choose curriculum. No state-approved curriculum list means you can use what works for your family.
You’re not a “professional” who needs licensure. You’re a parent exercising a fundamental right.
If You Hire an Instructor
The rules change if you hire a tutor or instructor to teach your child:
That instructor must hold a bachelor’s degree.
This applies if:
- You hire a tutor to teach math 3 days per week
- Your child attends a homeschool co-op class taught by an instructor
- You use an online course with a live instructor
- You enroll in a hybrid program where someone else teaches part of the curriculum
The person teaching must have a bachelor’s degree. No requirement for teaching certification or a degree in the subject matter—just a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
You, as the parent, don’t need the degree. Only hired instructors do.
Example
- You teach reading, language arts, math, and social studies (no degree needed)
- You hire a tutor for science lab instruction ($200/month) (tutor needs bachelor’s degree)
- Legally compliant? Yes.
What Qualifications Actually Matter
If you don’t need formal credentials, what does matter? Several things:
1. Subject Knowledge You don’t need a degree, but you do need to know the material or be willing to learn it. Teaching calculus requires understanding calculus—whether from a degree, self-study, or prior knowledge.
2. Curriculum Competence Understanding how to use your chosen curriculum is more important than formal training. Most homeschool curricula come with detailed teacher guides.
3. Teaching Ability You don’t need to be a trained educator, but you do need to explain things clearly, answer questions, and adapt when your child isn’t understanding.
4. Commitment to the Process You need to track attendance, maintain records, coordinate testing, and ensure your child learns the required subjects. Diligence matters more than credentials.
5. Willingness to Learn If you’re unsure about teaching a subject, you can learn alongside your child, use online instruction, or hire a tutor.
Common Concerns (And Why They Shouldn’t Stop You)
“I’m not a math person.”
Neither are most homeschool parents. You learn the curriculum, work through problems yourself, and teach from the teacher guide. Khan Academy and other online resources help. You don’t need to be naturally gifted in math; you need to be willing to teach it.
“I never went to college.”
Irrelevant to Georgia law. Your high school diploma is all you need legally. Education isn’t disqualified by lack of college.
“I’m worried I’m not qualified.”
Worry is normal. But Georgia law says you are. Once your child starts learning and making progress, your confidence grows. Thousands of parents without teaching degrees successfully homeschool their children.
“What if someone questions my qualifications?”
If DFCS ever investigates, you show:
- Your high school diploma or GED (proves legal qualification)
- Your attendance records
- Your progress reports
- Your testing results
These four things prove compliance. No one questions your “teaching ability” in a legal sense.
Comparing to Other States
Georgia’s requirement (diploma/GED only) is relatively permissive:
- More permissive: A few states have no formal parent qualification requirement at all
- About the same: Most states require HS diploma or GED
- More restrictive: Some states require college credits, teaching certification, or curriculum approval
Georgia is solidly mainstream—you need a high school education, but no higher credentials.
Building Confidence Without Credentials
If you’re nervous despite legal clearance, consider these:
1. Take a homeschool planning course Organizations like SENG (Secular, Eclectic, Nonsectarian Goodness) or Classical Conversations offer planning workshops. Not required, but helpful.
2. Find a homeschool co-op Co-ops provide community, shared instruction, and accountability. You’re not alone.
3. Use a boxed curriculum Complete curricula (Sonlight, Charlotte Mason, Saxon) come with detailed teacher guides. You’re not creating from scratch.
4. Use online courses for subjects you’re unsure about Khan Academy, Outschool, and others offer instruction. You oversee; they teach.
5. Read about homeschool pedagogy Books like “The Homeschool Mentor” or “Charlotte Mason’s Original Homeschooling Series” teach philosophy and practice. But again—not required for legal compliance.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a teaching degree to homeschool in Georgia. You need:
- A high school diploma or GED (legal requirement)
- Commitment to teaching the required subjects
- Willingness to track attendance and progress
- A plan for how you’ll teach (curriculum, method, approach)
Everything else is preference and style.