The Great Courses (formerly The Great Courses Plus) offers university-level video lectures by expert professors across hundreds of subjects, making it a popular supplement or curriculum replacement for homeschool high schoolers.
What is The Great Courses?
The Great Courses is a streaming platform offering university-level video lectures taught by distinguished professors and experts. Founded in 1990 by Thomas M. Rollins—inspired by his experience learning from video lectures at Harvard Law School—the company has grown to offer over 7,500 hours of content across more than 1,200 titles. The platform went through a rebranding as "Wondrium" in 2021 before returning to The Great Courses Plus branding in 2024. For homeschoolers, particularly at the high school level, it offers access to the kind of engaging, expert instruction that's otherwise difficult to find outside a university campus.
Key Takeaways
- Over 7,500 hours of content from expert professors and lecturers
- Covers liberal arts, sciences, history, philosophy, languages, and practical skills
- One subscription covers the whole family (up to 10 devices, 5 concurrent streams)
- Available at many public libraries for free access
- Video courses typically feature 30-minute lectures with supplemental guidebooks
How Homeschoolers Use It
The Great Courses shines brightest for middle and high school students where finding engaging, challenging content becomes harder. Many homeschool parents use courses as curriculum replacements—one family had their son complete three courses on constitutional topics to earn government credit, with discussion and demonstrated mastery exceeding typical high school expectations. Others use courses as enrichment: supplementing a history curriculum with a lecture series on the Civil War, or adding depth to literature study with a course analyzing Shakespeare. The lecture format also works well for students who are auditory learners or enjoy the experience of learning from a "real professor."
Subject Areas Available
Pricing and Access
The Great Courses Plus offers three subscription tiers: monthly (~$20-24), quarterly (~$45 or roughly $15/month), and annual (~$14.84/month). All plans include unlimited streaming, supplemental guidebooks, and the ability to download for offline viewing. Here's the real value for homeschool families: one subscription covers everyone—up to 10 devices with 5 concurrent streams. At $45/quarter for hundreds of courses used by the whole family, many homeschoolers consider this exceptional value. Before subscribing, check your local library—many offer free access to The Great Courses through library card login.
The Bottom Line
The Great Courses brings genuine university-level instruction into your homeschool at a fraction of college costs. For high schoolers especially, the platform offers intellectual depth that textbooks alone can't match. The expert professors bring subjects alive in ways that make even challenging topics accessible and engaging. Whether you're using it for full credit courses or enriching your existing curriculum, one family subscription gives everyone access to explore subjects they might never encounter otherwise. Check your library for free access before subscribing.
