Salary Advancement & License Renewal for Massachusetts Educators
Streamline your professional growth with PDPs accepted by MA DESE for license renewal, and graduate-level credits from UMass Global for salary lane advancement.
Massachusetts PDPs
Renew your 5-year Professional License with 150 PDPs. Every 3-credit course converts to 67.5 PDPs.
100% Asynchronous
Professional Development for the busy Massachusetts Teacher.
Salary Advancement
Accepted by many Massachusetts school districts for salary lane advancement.
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 later) from the date of your registration.
Graduate Level Courses
Massachusetts Educator Salary Advancement
Graduate credit from UMass Global is the foundation for advancing across your district's salary lanes (e.g., M+15, M+30, M+45), leading to a permanent base pay increase.
Confirm with your district administrator prior to registering, and get started today!
Earning Credit
Completing a Course
Email your completed coursework to support@upwardteachers.com. We evaluate your coursework within 7 days.
Transcripts and Credits
Order your Graduate-Credit course transcripts through UMass Global.
Note: UMass Global is a separate organization from Upward. For questions regarding transcripts or your university account, please email exed@umassglobal.edu
Rewards!
Every referral and course registration helps you earn larger and larger gift cards through our Upward Rewards program, usable at hundreds of retailers!
Massachusetts Teacher Salary & License FAQs
How many PDPs are required for a Massachusetts Professional License renewal?
To renew a five-year Professional License, Massachusetts educators must complete 150 Professional Development Points (PDPs).
Most teachers opt to satisfy this 150 PDP requirement by completing three Upward 3-credit graduate courses.
What is the credit-to-PDP conversion rate for MA DESE?
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) accepts graduate-level credits at an official conversion rate of 1 semester credit hour to 22.5 Professional Development Points (PDPs).
This means a single 3-credit course from Upward provides 67.5 PDPs.
What are the mandatory PDP topics for Massachusetts license renewal?
Your 150 PDPs must include a minimum of 15 PDPs in each of the following four areas:
- SEI/ESL: Sheltered English Immersion or English as a Second Language.
- Students with Disabilities: Addressing diverse learners and special education.
- Content: Subject matter knowledge specific to your certificate.
- Pedagogy: Professional skills and instructional strategies (choose from our vast selection)
The remaining 90 PDPs can be fulfilled through any combination of elective courses that improve student learning.
How do I document my PDPs for the state?
For courses taken through Upward, your official university transcript from UMass Global serves as the primary documentation required by DESE to verify your PDPs.
Can these courses be used for salary lane advancement?
Very often, YES. Because these are graduate-level credits from a regionally accredited partner (UMass Global), they are designed to meet district requirements for salary lane movement (such as M+15 or M+30).
Educators should confirm prior approval with their specific district office.