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Earn official graduate-level semester credits online through UMass Global. Streamline your annual 36-hour PD requirement while permanently moving up the pay scale.
Only $240 per 3-Credit Graduate Level Course
$240 per 3-credit graduate course. Period.
Courses designed for the busy teacher. No portfolios - just practical implementation.
Graduate-level credits provided through UMass Global.
Specifically curated to meet Arkansas license requirements.
Browse our catalog of graduate-level courses and select the ones that fit your goals. Syllabi available Upon Request if required by your school district.
Complete the checkout process on this website and you will immediately be enrolled in our loyalty program. Refer friends and take multiple courses to earn Upward Rewards!
Check your inbox for your welcome packet and dive right in. Complete your coursework 100% online anytime between one and six months from registration.
Arkansas requires 36 hours of professional development (PD) annually, totaling 180 PD hours every 5-year renewal cycle. Upward’s graduate-level courses are uniquely aligned with the official Arkansas DESE Rules Governing Professional Development to help you seamlessly fulfill your licensing requirements.
The most impactful reason to choose Upward is to accelerate your Salary Lane Movement. In Arkansas, earning graduate-level credits is the most direct path to permanently increasing your base salary.
Always confirm your selected courses with your district administrator before enrolling.
To renew your standard five-year license, you must document 180 total PD hours.
When you complete an Upward course, you receive an official graduate transcript from UMass Global. You will submit this transcript to your district’s review committee or upload it directly to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) licensure portal to verify your hours.
Yes. Arkansas DESE rules explicitly state that graduate-level coursework from a regionally accredited college or university is automatically recognized for professional development credit.
Because Upward partner courses are transcripted by UMass Global, they inherently meet the "Institution of Higher Education" criteria outlined in state rules.
While you can earn a substantial number of hours via graduate credit, Arkansas Act 44 mandates that public school districts provide at least 6 days (36 hours) of PD within your yearly 190-day contract.
Most Arkansas educators use Upward courses to supplement their Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDP) or specifically to achieve salary lane reclassification.
Once you submit your completed coursework to Upward, our team evaluates it within one week and submits your grade to UMass Global.
The university posts your grade within five business days, at which point you can immediately order your official transcripts online for your district HR department.
You have complete control over your schedule. Upward’s courses are 100% asynchronous and self-paced, allowing you to finish your coursework anywhere between one and six months from your date of registration (no sooner or later).
You can easily fit your professional growth around your teaching schedule, school breaks, or summer vacation.
