Courses for Wisconsin Teachers

Wisconsin Professional Educator License holders who are not regularly employed in Wisconsin public education may renew by completing 6 semester credits from an accredited institution of higher education within the 5 years preceding the renewal date (PI 34.18(2)(f)). Credits must be directly related to a license area held or to Wisconsin teaching standards. Two 3-credit CFT courses fully satisfy this requirement. Active Wisconsin public school teachers typically renew via a Professional Development Plan (PDP) — check with your district HR office to confirm your renewal pathway.

Yes. Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34.18(2)(f) accepts graduate-level coursework from accredited institutions of higher education for the credit-based renewal path. All of CFT's university partners — University of Massachusetts Global, Valley City State University, CSU Pueblo, and Adams State University — hold regional accreditation recognized by DPI. Courses must relate to a license area held or to Wisconsin teaching standards, and documentation (official transcript) must be submitted to the Wisconsin DPI ELO system.

Many Wisconsin districts use lane-based salary schedules where graduate credits earned beyond your degree can advance you to higher-paying lanes — but policies vary by district. Some districts have formal lane change policies, while others handle credit recognition differently. We recommend verifying with your district HR department that credits from our regionally accredited university partners will count toward your salary lane advancement. You can also use our District Credit Approval Tool to check how your district handles graduate credit recognition.

Many Wisconsin school districts use a lane-based salary schedule where your pay is determined by your degree level and graduate credits earned. Common lanes include: BA (Bachelor's degree), BA+15, BA+30, MA (Master's degree), MA+15, MA+30, MA+48, and PhD/EdD — though lane names and structures vary by district. In many districts, you submit official transcripts to your HR department to request a lane change, which may take effect at the start of the next school year. Policies differ, so we recommend checking with your district directly or using our District Credit Approval Tool.

Yes — this is one of the most powerful aspects of earning graduate credits through CFT. The same official transcript from your university partner can be submitted to the Wisconsin DPI ELO system for renewal documentation and to your district HR department for salary lane advancement. You earn the renewal credits and the lane advancement simultaneously from a single course investment.

Wisconsin offers two renewal paths for Professional Educator License holders. The PDP (Professional Development Plan) path requires completing a PDP verified by a professional development team — this is the standard path for active Wisconsin public school teachers. The 6-credit path (PI 34.18(2)(f)) is available to educators not regularly employed in Wisconsin education, those teaching outside Wisconsin, or those who prefer a clear, verifiable credit-based alternative. If you are currently employed in a Wisconsin public school, check with your district HR office to confirm which path applies to your situation before enrolling.

Wisconsin educators submit renewal applications through the DPI Educator Licensing Online (ELO) system at dpi.wi.gov. For the credit-based path, submit official transcripts directly to DPI as documentation. A renewal application fee applies. Contact DPI Educator Licensing (608-266-1879) or your district HR office for current processing timelines and requirements.

Yes. All Credits for Teachers courses are 100% online and self-paced. There are no set class times, no live sessions to attend, and no commuting. Most teachers complete a 3-credit course in 4–8 weeks while continuing to teach full-time. You can work on coursework during evenings, weekends, or summer break — entirely on your own schedule.