Colorado Teacher Professional License Renewal & Salary Advancement

Earn accredited graduate-level credits online to satisfy CDE requirements and advance your salary lane. Designed for busy Colorado educators, our 100% asynchronous courses fit your schedule and your budget.

Browse Graduate Level Courses

No Hidden Fees

$240 per 3-credit course. Period.

100% Asynchronous

Courses designed for the busy teacher. No portfolios - just practical implementation.

Accredited

Graduate-level credits provided through UMass Global.

CDE Aligned

Specifically curated to meet Colorado license requirements.

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Course Selection & Approval

Confirm requirements and approval with your district administrator and select your courses.

Graduate-Level Courses

Checkout & Earn Rewards

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!

Upward Rewards

Complete Coursework

We'll email you your welcome packet, and you're all set! Complete coursework between one and six months (not earlier or later) from the date of your registration.

Graduate Level Courses

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Colorado Teacher Professional Growth

License Renewal: Colorado professional licenses require 90 contact hours of professional development every seven years. Upward’s UMass Global graduate-level credits are the most efficient way to meet this requirement, converting at a guaranteed rate of 1 semester credit to 15 contact hours. Complete your entire seven-year renewal with just two Upward courses.

Salary Advancement: Maximize your earning power. Our regionally accredited graduate-level courses are widely accepted by Colorado districts for salary lane movement. Secure your future by upskilling in a way that respects your schedule and your budget.

Earning Credit

  1. Email your completed coursework to support@upwardteachers.com
  2. Upward evaluates your coursework within one week of your submission, and submits your grade to UMass Global (our accredited university partner)
  3. UMass Global posts your grade within five business days of receiving Upward's assessment
  4. You login to your UMass Global account to order your transcriptsNote that the university is an entirely separate organization from Upward, and any questions on your transcript or university account can be emailed to exed@umassglobal.edu
  5. Celebrate your achievement, and sign up for more Upward Rewards!

Colorado Teacher FAQ: License Renewal & Salary Advancement

How do Upward courses count toward my Colorado Professional License renewal?

Upward provides graduate-level university credit through UMass Global. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) recognizes this credit at a rate of 15 contact hours per 1 semester credit. Our courses are the most efficient way to fulfill your 90-hour renewal requirement.

How many courses do I need for my full 90-hour renewal?

Two 3-credit courses provide exactly 90 contact hours, satisfying 100% of your Colorado Department of Education (CDE) renewal requirement. You can complete these in a fraction of the time it takes to track individual workshops.

Does Upward meet the new CDE Behavioral Health and Special Education requirements?

Yes. We have curated specific courses that align with the CDE’s mandates for Behavioral Health and Special Education/Child Find. You can select these from our Diverse Learner Collection to satisfy these mandatory hours within your renewal cycle.

Can I use these courses for salary lane advancement in my Colorado school district?

In many Colorado districts, yes. Our courses are regionally accredited and widely accepted for salary advancement. We always recommend confirming your course selection with your specific district’s HR department or professional development office before you enroll.

How is the "English Learner (EL) Training" requirement handled?

For educators with elementary, ELA, math, science, or social studies endorsements, the CDE requires 45 hours of EL training. By completing one of our 3-credit TESOL courses, you earn the 45 contact hours needed to satisfy this mandate. You will then simply complete the CDE ELPD Standards Matrix during your renewal application (template available upon request).

How long does it take to get my credits after I finish the coursework?

Once you submit your coursework, our team typically evaluates it within one week. After we submit your grade to UMass Global, the university processes it, allowing you to order your official transcripts for the CDE eLicensure system.