For educators navigating their Professional Development (PD) requirements, the options can seem overwhelming. There are continuing education units (CEUs), clock hours, professional development points (PDPs), and graduate credits; required topics, forms, and approvals. That’s a lot for a busy educator to sort through when what you really want to know is: What do I need to take, and how will it affect my career?
While there isn’t one answer that works for every teacher, understanding a few key differences can help you make a more informed choice, AND save you time, money, and frustration along the way!
A good place to start is understanding the difference between commonly used terms — professional development vs. continuing education; and graduate-level credit vs. degree-eligible credit. While these pairs can sometimes be used interchangeably, they don’t necessarily mean the same thing.
Professional Development (PD) is a broad term that includes the many ways educators continue learning and growing professionally. This can include district workshops and conferences, webinars, book studies, and courses. Depending on your state or district, participating in PD might earn you clock hours, CEUs, professional development hours, PDPs, or another type of documentation, such as a Letter of Completion.
Continuing Education (CE) often refers to more structured learning completed after your initial degree or certification. For teachers, CE typically includes courses taken to deepen your knowledge, maintain or renew your teaching license/certificate, or meet other professional goals. Depending on the course, continuing education may or may not carry graduate credit and may be taken synchronously or asynchronously.
| Teaching Channel offers Graduate-level Continuing Education (CE) courses that earn Degree-Eligible Credit toward salary advancement, state license or certificate renewal, an advanced degree, or ongoing professional growth with a 100% Acceptance Guarantee. Credit not accepted? We will offer a full refund. See details. |
Graduate or (Graduate-level) Credit is college or university credit earned through graduate-level coursework. Teachers often seek graduate credits for salary advancement, license renewal, or professional growth, because the credits are documented on an academic transcript. However, it is important to review the transcript carefully. Graduate credit may appear on a university transcript with a letter grade, or the transcript may instead reflect non-degree, graduate-level or post-baccalaureate coursework that is recorded as pass/fail. These distinctions are important because coursework recorded as non-degree or post-baccalaureate credit, particularly when graded pass/fail, usually are not eligible to apply toward a master’s or doctoral degree. Some school districts also do not accept this type of transcript or credit for salary advancement or license/certificate renewal.
Degree-Eligible Credit is graduate credit that can potentially be applied toward the requirements of a specific graduate degree program. If a master’s or doctoral degree might be in your future, this distinction is especially important, but you’ll want to verify with the institution offering the degree that the credits will apply to your intended program. Degree-eligible credits are typically documented on an official academic transcript as a letter grade.
What does this look like in real life? If you’re looking for new strategies to support your multilingual learners, a workshop, webinar, or hours-based course might be just what you need. If you need six more credits to move to the next lane on your salary schedule, graduate-level continuing education may make more sense. And if you’re thinking, “I might want to get my master’s someday,” or if your district/state has specific requirements, it’s likely worth seeking out degree-eligible credits that could help you make progress toward that future goal.
In other words, the best place to start is with your goals in mind. Then, once you’ve identified them, make sure the learning you choose will actually count toward it! Every teacher has unique needs based on their state, district, or even degree requirements, which is why Teaching Channel Learning Advisors are here to walk you through the next steps and create a Personalized Learning Plan.
When you register for any professional learning opportunity, ask yourself these important questions:
- What will I earn upon completion? Clock hours, CEUs, PDPs, graduate credits, or something else?
- Will my state accept this for license/certificate renewal?
- Will my district accept this for salary advancement? Do I need pre-approval?
- If I’m considering a future degree, can these credits apply toward that program?
If license renewal is your goal, start with your state’s licensing agency. States will have different requirements for the number and type of hours or credits you need, approved activities or providers, and even specific topics you’re required to complete.
If salary advancement is your goal, your district is usually the best place to start. Check your district’s salary schedule, bargaining agreement, or HR guidelines to see how many credits you need to move to the next lane and what types of credits they will accept. Some districts may also require pre-approval before you begin a course.
And if a future graduate degree is on your radar, check with the college or university offering the degree. Don’t assume that because a course is graduate-level, those credits will automatically apply toward any master’s or doctoral program. Ask whether the credits are degree-eligible and how they can be applied to the program you’re considering.
A few minutes of research before you enroll can save you a lot of frustration later! When in doubt, verify the requirements with the organization that ultimately gets to decide what counts. Teaching Channel is proud to be a premiere professional learning provider nationwide. We have a team of experts ready to help you get started. Visit our State Requirements page to learn more or contact us directly to get started.
Whenever possible, make one course do more than one job!
FAQs
What type of courses does Teaching Channel offer?
Teaching Channel offers two types of courses:
- Our most popular choice- Continuing Education (CE) courses that earn Graduate-level, Degree-Eligible Credit toward your next goal of salary advancement, state license or certificate renewal, or an advanced degree. Credits are provided on an official university transcript with letter grade upon completion.
- Non-Credit courses help you meet your professional development needs, offering the same graduate-level learning at a lower price. Courses are provided on a Teaching Channel Certificate of Completion document as hours-only upon completion.
Chart your course path and explore formats that align with your goals.
Can professional development count toward my teaching license/certificate renewal?
Yes, but what counts as professional development for license/certificate renewal varies by state. Your state may require a certain number of hours, points, or credits, specific content areas, or particular types of approved learning. Start by checking with your state licensing agency to understand the requirements that apply to you. Visit Teaching Channel’s State Requirements page to learn more.
Can graduate credits help me move on my district’s salary schedule?
They often can, but every district sets its own requirements for salary advancement. Start with your district’s salary schedule or collective bargaining agreement to determine how many credits you need to move to the next lane and what types of coursework qualify. Before registering, check with your district or HR department to confirm that the credits will be accepted. Contact Us directly if you need further guidance on the pre-approval process.
Can the same course count toward both license/certificate renewal and salary advancement?
Possibly. A graduate-level course may satisfy both your state’s renewal requirements and your district’s salary schedule — but because those are two separate decision-makers, it’s worth verifying with both before you enroll. Finding coursework that serves both goals is often the most efficient path. Contact Us directly if you need further guidance on the pre-approval process.
How do I find my state’s teacher license/certificate renewal requirements?
Your state’s licensing agency is the most current and authoritative source, since requirements can change. From there, your district can tell you how those credits translate to salary movement, and any degree program you’re considering can confirm which credits transfer in. Contact Us directly if you need further guidance on the pre-approval process.
What should I check before registering for a course?
Before you invest your time and money, make sure you know what you’ll earn when you complete the course (PD hours, CEUs, graduate credit, or degree-eligible graduate credit) and whether it meets your particular goals. If you’re seeking license/certificate renewal, verify the requirements with your state; for salary advancement, check with your district.
Still not sure? Teaching Channel’s professional learning advisors can help you sort through your options and determine which type of coursework may best fit your goals.
About the Author
Marcee Harris serves as Vice President of Academics at Teaching Channel, where she oversees academic programming and leads the development of high-quality, relevant professional learning experiences for educators. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Sociology and an M.A.Ed. in Education. With more than 25 years of experience in education, Marcee brings particular expertise in educational technology, the Science of Reading, and evidence-based instructional practices.
Fun Fact: Marcee used to be a professional cheerleader!
