Courses for South Dakota Teachers
We have helped thousands of South Dakota teachers advance their careers, increase their salaries, and fulfill their certificate renewal requirements.
How Can We Help You?
We've carefully selected Nationally Accredited University Partners so you can earn graduate credits recognized across the country for salary advancement and certificate renewal in South Dakota.
Moving across the salary schedule is one of the most impactful financial decisions you can make as an educator. With our courses you can maximize your annual and lifetime earnings through salary advancement by completing graduate-level, professional development courses. Whether you are looking to move across the salary schedule or deepen your classroom expertise, our programs are designed to provide the highest return on your educational investment.
Explore Salary Advancement CoursesAccelerate your career with a Master's Degree. We offer a selection of fully remote, graduate-level courses that can be applied directly toward a Master of Education (M.Ed.) through our partner, Colorado State University Pueblo. Earn high-quality graduate credits toward your Master's degree without stepping out of the classroom.
Explore Master's Option
Nationally Recognized & Accredited
Note on District Approval: Salary lane advancement in South Dakota is determined by your district's negotiated agreement. We recommend verifying with your district HR department that our graduate-level courses will count toward your salary lane. Most South Dakota districts recognize credits from our regionally accredited university partners — including University of Massachusetts Global, Valley City State University, CSU Pueblo, and Adams State University. Contact us →
📄 South Dakota Teacher Certificate Renewal Requirements
South Dakota educator certificates are valid for five years. Both the Professional Teaching Certificate and the Advanced Teaching Certificate require renewal credits to be completed within each five-year cycle. Renewal is managed through the SD Educator Portal at mySD.gov.
The most common renewal path for a Professional certificate requires 6 education-related credits, with at least 3 of those credits being transcripted credits from a regionally accredited institution. Graduate semester credit hours from Credits for Teachers satisfy this requirement directly.
Renewal Options by Certificate Type
| Certificate Type | Renewal Cycle | Primary Option | CFT Courses Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Teaching Certificate | 5 years | 6 credits (min. 3 transcripted) | 2 courses (3 credits each) |
| Advanced Teaching Certificate | 5 years | 6 credits (transcripted, CECH, or specialized learning) | 2 courses (3 credits each) |
How SD renewal credits work: Under South Dakota Administrative Rules (ARSD 24:28:17:13), the Professional certificate requires:
- At least 3 transcripted credits from a regionally accredited institution (graduate or undergraduate, grade of C or better)
- The remaining 3 credits can be transcripted credits, Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH), or specialized learning experience hours
- 15 CECH = 1 renewal credit (so 45 CECH = 3 credits)
- The most common combination: 3 transcripted credits + 45 CECH
- Two 3-credit CFT courses = 6 transcripted credits — satisfies the full renewal requirement
Other Renewal Pathways (Professional Certificate)
- Option 1 (most common): 6 education-related credits — at least 3 transcripted + up to 3 CECH or specialized learning
- Option 2: Participate as a mentee in a state-approved mentor program for at least 2 of the past 5 years
- Option 3: Participate as a mentor in a state-approved mentor program for at least 2 of the past 5 years
- Option 4: Complete National Board Certification or recertification within the past 5 years
⚠️ Important: Transcripted Credit Definition
South Dakota defines "transcripted credit" as graduate or undergraduate credit on a semester system, issued by a regionally accredited institution of higher education and documented on an official transcript (ARSD 24:28:01:01(47)). All four Credits for Teachers university partners — UMass Global, Valley City State University, CSU Pueblo, and Adams State University — are regionally accredited and meet this definition.
Source: South Dakota DOE Educator Certification — Renewal; ARSD 24:28:17:12–24:28:17:14. Requirements current as of July 2024.
The South Dakota Teacher Salary Schedule: What You Need to Know
South Dakota districts use a lane-based salary schedule where your pay is determined by two factors: years of experience and the number of graduate credits you've earned beyond your initial degree. Steps advance automatically each year. Lanes only move when you take action — by earning graduate-level credits. The table below shows national average salary data (NEA 2023–24 Benchmark Report) comparing the Bachelor's lane against the Master's lane at each career stage. Your district's specific numbers will vary — use our Salary Calculator to see your personalized figures.
| Career Stage | Bachelor's Lane (National Avg) | Master's Lane (National Avg) | Annual Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Career (0–5 yrs) | ~$46,000 | ~$52,000 | +$6,000/yr |
| Mid-Career (6–14 yrs) | ~$57,000 | ~$68,000 | +$11,000/yr |
| Senior (15–24 yrs) | ~$65,000 | ~$78,000 | +$13,000/yr |
| National Average (all experience) | ~$59,200 | ~$70,200 | +$11,000/yr |
Source: NEA 2023–24 Benchmark Report, national averages. Individual South Dakota districts vary — use our Salary Calculator to see your personalized numbers.
What this means in practice: A South Dakota teacher who advances from the Bachelor's lane to the Master's lane can expect to earn an average of $11,000 more per year at mid-career and beyond. Over a 25-year career, that differential accumulates to over $275,000 in additional earnings — and the same graduate credits that advance your lane also satisfy your renewal requirement.
The dual benefit most South Dakota teachers overlook: Every graduate semester credit you earn with Credits for Teachers counts as a transcripted credit toward your SD certificate renewal and moves you closer to the next salary lane. Two 3-credit courses satisfy your entire 5-year renewal requirement while simultaneously advancing your lane. There is no more efficient investment in your teaching career.
Why Starting Early Changes Everything
Salary advancement works like compound interest. The sooner you earn graduate credits and move across the salary schedule, the more years you earn at the higher rate. The cards below use national average salary data (NEA 2023–24 Benchmark Report) to illustrate the 25-year career difference between a teacher who stays in the Bachelor's lane versus one who advances to the Master's lane.
What this means: A teacher who advances from the Bachelor's lane to the Master's lane earns over $275,000 more over a 25-year career — an average of more than $11,000 per year in additional earnings. The earlier you start accumulating graduate credits, the more years you earn at the higher rate. And in South Dakota, those same graduate credits are the most efficient way to meet your renewal requirement.
📈 Find Your Personalized Salary Roadmap: Not sure how much you could earn by advancing lanes? Use our free Salary Calculator to see exactly how much more you could earn based on your current lane, district, and years of experience.
Our University Partners
We've carefully selected Nationally Accredited University Partners so you can earn graduate credits recognized across the country for salary advancement and certificate renewal in South Dakota.
Invest in Your Career. Maximize Your Earnings.
The investment you make today pays dividends throughout your entire teaching career.
📈 See Your Personalized Numbers: Every teacher's situation is different. Use our free Salary Calculator to see exactly how much more you could earn based on your current lane, district, and years of experience.
Three Steps to Advance Your Career
The process is straightforward. Our team is with you at every step.
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Browse and Select Your Courses
Choose from our catalog of graduate-level, self-paced online courses. Select the university partner and credit option that best fits your goals — whether you're pursuing a lane change, meeting your SD renewal requirement, or working toward a full Master's degree.
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Complete Your Coursework Online
All courses are 100% online and self-paced. Complete them on your own schedule — evenings, weekends, or summer break. Most teachers finish a 3-credit course in 4–8 weeks while continuing to teach full-time.
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Submit Transcripts for Renewal and Lane Advancement
Upon completion, your university partner will provide an official transcript. Submit this to the SD Educator Portal as documentation of your transcripted credits for renewal. The same transcript can be submitted to your district HR department for salary lane advancement — one investment, two benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
The South Dakota Professional Teaching Certificate is valid for five years. To renew, you must complete 6 education-related credits during the renewal cycle, with at least 3 of those credits being transcripted credits from a regionally accredited institution (grade of C or better). The remaining 3 credits can be transcripted credits, Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH), or specialized learning experience hours. Two 3-credit Credits for Teachers courses satisfy the full 6-credit requirement. (ARSD 24:28:17:13)
South Dakota defines a transcripted credit as graduate or undergraduate credit on a semester system, issued by a regionally accredited institution of higher education and documented on an official transcript (ARSD 24:28:01:01(47)). All four Credits for Teachers university partners — University of Massachusetts Global, Valley City State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, and Adams State University — are regionally accredited and issue official transcripts that meet this definition.
The Professional Teaching Certificate is issued to educators new to the profession or those who do not meet the requirements for an Advanced certificate. The Advanced Teaching Certificate is issued to teachers with 5 or more years of teaching experience who also hold an advanced degree in an education-related field or have received National Board for Teaching Standards Certification. The Advanced certificate must be specifically requested on your renewal application. Both certificates are valid for 5 years and require 6 renewal credits, but the Advanced certificate has more flexibility in how those credits are earned.
Renewal applications are submitted through the SD Educator Portal at mySD.gov. You will need to create or log in to your account to access the "Educator Renewal Application." You can upload supporting documents (transcripts, CECH certificates) directly to your educator profile in the portal. The SD DOE recommends applying early in the calendar year, as manual review is required and processing can take 6–10 weeks for applications that require additional documentation.
A South Dakota certificate is considered expired as of July 1 of the year of expiration. You have until October 1 of that year to complete and submit your renewal requirements. If you miss the October 1 deadline, your certificate becomes invalid and an additional fee applies on top of the standard renewal fee. An invalid certificate cannot be used for employment until all renewal requirements are met and the certificate is reissued. The SD DOE recommends applying well before the June 30 renewal window opens to allow adequate processing time.
Yes. Credits for Teachers partners with Colorado State University Pueblo to offer a fully online Master of Education (M.Ed.) program. You can apply graduate credits earned through CFT courses directly toward your M.Ed. degree. This allows you to earn a Master's degree on your own schedule without leaving the classroom — and the same credits satisfy your South Dakota renewal requirement along the way.
Yes. All Credits for Teachers courses are offered through regionally accredited university partners and result in official graduate semester credit hours documented on an official transcript. This meets South Dakota's definition of "transcripted credit" under ARSD 24:28:01:01(47). Upon completing a course, your university partner will issue an official transcript that you can submit to the SD Educator Portal as documentation of your renewal credits.
What Educators Are Saying
Thousands of teachers have used Credits for Teachers to advance their careers and increase their salaries.
"I completed two courses over the summer and knocked out my entire 5-year renewal requirement. The same credits moved me to the next salary lane — I'm now earning more every month and I didn't have to step foot in a classroom to do it."
"The courses were genuinely useful and I could do them on my own schedule. My district accepted the transcripted credits without any issues, and I was able to advance my lane at the same time. Completely worth it."
"I was skeptical at first, but it's completely legitimate. I've now moved two lanes in three years and I'm earning significantly more per year than when I started — while also staying current on my renewal credits."
We've partnered with Affirm to offer flexible payment options. Split your course costs into manageable monthly payments that fit your budget. For licenses and disclosures, see affirm.com/licenses.
PLEASE NOTE: The content provided on this page is solely provided for informational purposes and does not exempt users from their responsibility to ensure that our courses meet their state's continuing education requirements. Please check with your state certification agency for up-to-date policies for teacher certification renewal/continuing education.