Best Online Courses for Michigan Teachers: License Renewal & Salary Advancement
Michigan teachers need 150 hours of professional learning — or 6 graduate semester credit hours — every five years to renew their Standard Teaching Certificate. Online courses have become the most popular way to satisfy that requirement, and for good reason: they fit around a teaching schedule, can be completed at your own pace, and the right courses do double duty by advancing your salary lane at the same time. This guide explains what to look for and how to choose courses that work for both renewal and your paycheck.
What Michigan Accepts for Online Renewal Courses
Not every online course qualifies for Michigan teacher certification renewal. Michigan’s Standard Teaching Certificate renewal requires professional learning that is appropriate to the content and grade level of your certificate and endorsements. Beyond that, the course must come from an approved source:
- Graduate credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university (recognized by CHEA or USDE)
- SCECHs (State Continuing Education Clock Hours) from a Michigan-approved sponsoring entity
- District Provided Professional Development entered into MOECS as SCECHs
Online courses that award graduate semester credit hours from regionally accredited universities satisfy the 6-credit renewal path — the most efficient option because 6 credits cover the full 150-hour requirement in one step. Online courses that award SCECHs through an approved Michigan sponsoring entity also count, but you need 150 of them to satisfy the full requirement.
Graduate Credit Courses vs. SCECH-Only Courses
When choosing online courses for Michigan renewal, the most important question is whether the course awards graduate credit hours or SCECHs. The difference matters significantly for your salary.
| Factor | Graduate Credit Courses | SCECH-Only Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Counts for renewal? | Yes — 6 credits satisfies full requirement | Yes — 150 SCECHs satisfies full requirement |
| Counts for salary lane? | Yes — credits advance BA+15, MA+30, etc. | No — SCECHs do not count toward lane thresholds |
| Tracked in MOECS? | No — transcript submitted at renewal | Yes — automatically tracked in MOECS |
| Cost | $199–$500+ per credit | Often free or low-cost through district PD |
| Best for | Teachers who want renewal + salary advancement | Teachers who already participate in district PD |
Bottom Line on Course Type: If you are anywhere near a salary lane threshold — BA+12, MA+9, etc. — graduate credit courses are almost always the better investment. The salary increase from a lane move pays back the course cost within one to two years, and then continues paying for the rest of your career. SCECH-only courses satisfy renewal but leave the salary benefit on the table.
What to Look for in an Online Course Provider
With dozens of providers offering online courses for teachers, it is worth knowing what separates a reliable provider from one that might cause problems at renewal time. Here are the key factors to evaluate:
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Accreditation | Credits must be issued through a college or university recognized by CHEA or USDE. Ask specifically: “Which accredited institution issues the credit for this course?” |
| Content relevance | Michigan requires coursework appropriate to your content area and grade level. Choose courses that connect to your teaching assignment. |
| Transcript delivery | You will need an official transcript for your renewal application. Confirm the provider can deliver an official transcript from the issuing institution. |
| Self-paced flexibility | Look for courses with no fixed start dates or weekly deadlines — this matters most during the school year when your schedule is unpredictable. |
| District reimbursement eligibility | If your district offers tuition reimbursement, confirm the course qualifies before enrolling. Courses from regionally accredited universities almost always qualify. |
Using District Tuition Reimbursement for Online Courses
Many Michigan school districts offer tuition reimbursement as part of their union contracts — and this is one of the most underutilized benefits in Michigan education. Reimbursement amounts vary widely: some districts cover $500 per year, others cover $2,000 or more. Some require pre-approval before you enroll; others reimburse after the fact with a grade report and receipt.
If your district offers reimbursement, the process for using it with online graduate credit courses is straightforward. Check your union contract or ask your HR department for the reimbursement amount, any pre-approval requirements, and the deadline for submitting receipts. Then enroll in your course, complete it, and submit your documentation. Many Michigan teachers complete their full renewal requirement at little or no out-of-pocket cost this way.
How Credits for Teachers Works for Michigan Renewal
Credits for Teachers offers self-paced, 100% online graduate credit courses designed specifically for K-12 teachers. Courses are issued through regionally accredited university partners, which means they qualify for Michigan’s 6-credit renewal path and count toward salary lane advancement in Michigan districts. There are no fixed start dates, no weekly deadlines, and no live sessions — you complete the coursework on your own schedule.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Credit type | Graduate semester credit hours from regionally accredited universities |
| Michigan renewal? | Yes — satisfies the 6-credit renewal path |
| Salary lane advancement? | Yes — credits count toward BA+15, MA+30, etc. (subject to district policy) |
| Format | 100% online, self-paced, no live sessions |
| Start dates | Enroll any time — no fixed semester schedule |
| Cost | Starting at $199 per credit hour |
| District reimbursement eligible? | Yes — credits from regionally accredited institutions qualify for most district reimbursement programs |
Planning Your Michigan Renewal Around Salary Lane Thresholds
The most strategic approach to Michigan renewal is to plan your coursework around both your renewal cycle and your salary lane thresholds simultaneously. Here is how to think through it:
First, find out your current lane placement and how many credits you need to reach the next lane. Log into your district’s HR portal or check your pay stub — your lane is usually listed there. Then calculate how many credits you need: if you are at BA+9, you need 6 more credits to reach BA+15. If you are at MA+12, you need 3 more to reach MA+15.
Second, check your district’s lane change deadline — usually September 1 or October 1. If you complete a course in August, you need your official transcript submitted to HR before that deadline for the lane change to take effect for the current school year.
Third, check your district’s tuition reimbursement policy. If your district reimburses $1,000 per year and a CFT course costs $199–$299, you can complete multiple courses with minimal out-of-pocket cost.
Not sure how many credits you need — or how much of a raise you could get?
Use the free Salary Advancement Roadmap to see exactly where you stand and what graduate credits could do for your paycheck.
Browse Online Courses for Michigan Teachers
Self-paced graduate credit courses starting at $199. Accepted for Michigan certification renewal and salary lane advancement. Enroll any time — no fixed start dates. Many Michigan districts will reimburse the cost.
The Bottom Line
Michigan teachers have real flexibility in how they satisfy their renewal requirement — SCECHs, graduate credits, or a combination all work. But if you want your renewal coursework to also advance your salary, graduate credit courses from a regionally accredited provider are the clear choice. The salary lane increase pays back the course cost quickly, and many Michigan districts will cover part or all of the cost through tuition reimbursement. Plan your coursework around your lane thresholds, submit your transcript to HR before the deadline, and your required renewal PD becomes a genuine career investment.