Welcome, Maryland Educators!
Upward courses are offered for official graduate-level semester credit hours through UMass Global, a regionally accredited university.
As Maryland transitions to its new Professional License system, our courses provide the most efficient and reliable path to meet the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements. Whether you are renewing a legacy certificate with 6 semester hours or navigating the new 90 Professional Development Point (PDP) requirement, Upward courses ensure you stay compliant while gaining skills you can actually use in your classroom.
Maryland Professional License
Maryland is raising the bar for professional growth, and Upward is here to help you clear it. Our graduate-level courses are designed to align perfectly with the COMAR 13A.12.02.06 regulations.
- The 90 PDP Requirement: To renew your 5-year Professional License, you need 90 PDPs. Because MSDE values university-backed learning, one 3-credit Upward course earns you 45 PDPs. Just two courses completely satisfy your renewal requirements for the next five years.
- Fulfill Mandatory Topic Areas: Maryland now requires PDPs in specific areas like Special Education/Differentiation and ESL/Bilingual Education. Upward offers a robust catalog of courses in these exact categories, allowing you to check off your mandatory requirements and your total point count simultaneously. Select from our Diverse Learner and our TESOL course collections.
- Legacy Certificate Renewal: Still holding a Standard (SPC) or Advanced (APC) Professional Certificate? You can still use the traditional 6-semester-hour route for your next renewal. Two Upward 3-credit courses meet this requirement in full.
- Official Credit Conversion: Per MSDE guidelines, 1 semester credit = 15 PDPs. * Documentation: Your official transcript from UMass Global is the gold-standard documentation required for your Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) log and your TEACH portal application.
Maryland Educator Salary Advancement
In Maryland, your professional growth should be reflected in your paycheck. While you earn points for your license, you are also building the "credit bank" needed to move across your district’s salary lanes.
- Move Beyond the Master’s: Most Maryland districts offer higher pay for educators who reach milestones like MA+30 or MA+60.
- Permanent Salary Increases: Unlike a one-time bonus, moving to a new salary lane provides a permanent increase to your base pay for the rest of your career.
Confirm your course selections with your district administrator, and get started today!
Get Started
Course Selection & Approval
Confirm requirements and approval with your district administrator and select your 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!
Complete Coursework
We'll email you your welcome packet, and you're all set! Complete coursework between one and six months (not earlier or before) from the date of your registration.
Graduate Level Courses
Earning Credit
- Email your completed coursework to support@upwardteachers.com
- Upward evaluates your coursework within one week of your submission, and submits your grade to UMass Global (our accredited university partner)
- UMass Global posts your grade within five business days of receiving Upward's assessment
- You login to your UMass Global account to order your transcripts. Note 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
- Celebrate your achievement, and sign up for more Upward Rewards!