Welcome, Michigan educators! Upward courses are offered for official graduate-level semester credit hours by UMass Global, a regionally accredited university. These credits represent the highest-valued, most flexible currency for advancing and maintaining your Michigan teaching career. Our program is strategically designed to help you meet the state's requirements without the need for a separate State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH) sponsor.
Michigan Educator Certificate Renewal
To renew your five-year Standard or Professional Teaching Certificate, you must complete 150 hours of Education-Related Professional Learning (ERPL).
The Upward Advantage: Satisfy the entire 150-hour requirement with just two of our 3-credit courses!
- State Requirement: The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requires a minimum of six (6) semester credit hours (6 SH) for renewal.
- Grade Requirement: All courses must be completed with a final grade of "C or better" to be accepted.
- Documentation: Your official university transcript from UMass Global provides the required proof of completion.
Michigan Educator Salary Advancement
Most Michigan school districts accept regionally accredited university credit for salary lane movement (e.g., BA+15, MA+30, etc.), often leading to a permanent increase in your base pay. These courses are highly valued for meeting master's level requirements for advancement.
Important Next Step: Salary requirements and lane structures vary significantly by individual Michigan school district and union contract. Confirm your school district's specific requirements for how graduate-level credit is accepted for salary lane movement, and then select your courses 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!