Welcome, Minnesota Educators!
In Minnesota, professional development shouldn't just be a "clock hour" checkbox—it should be a career investment. Upward courses provide official graduate-level semester credits through UMass Global, a regionally accredited university.
Our model offers a unique Double Value for your career:
- Massive Clock Hour Gains: Our university credits convert to clock hours at the state’s highest rate, helping you renew your license in record time.
- Permanent Salary Increases: Unlike standard "PD points" or certificates, these are official graduate credits that can qualify you for Lane Advancement (e.g., BA+30, MA+45) in many districts across the state.
Minnesota License Renewal
Minnesota’s tiered licensure system (governed by PELSB) places College Coursework (Category A) at the top of the hierarchy. Because Upward courses are transcripted by a regionally accredited university, they provide a streamlined path for all professional tiers:
- Tier 1 & 2: While these tiers are often focused on transitioning to Tier 3, our graduate credits can be used to satisfy the "content area" or "pedagogy" coursework requirements needed to move up the tiers.
- Tier 3 (3-Year License): You need 75 clock hours. One 3-credit course provides 72 clock hours, effectively completing nearly your entire hour requirement in one step.
- Tier 4 (5-Year License): You need 125 clock hours. A single 3-credit Upward course provides 72 clock hours—instantly satisfying 58% of your 5-year requirement.
- The Conversion Powerhouse: Per MN Rule 8710.7200, local committees must award 24 clock hours for every 1 semester credit. Upward's 3-credit courses are 72 clock hours.
- Verification Made Easy: You don't need to juggle workshop certificates. Your official UMass Global transcript is the definitive legal record for your local Relicensure Committee.
Meeting Mandatory Requirements
Minnesota requires that your clock hours include specific "Mandatory Relicensure Areas." See our popular MN courses:
- Diverse Learner Collection
- TESOL Collection
- EDDU 9860: Reading Strategies for Students with Special Needs
Confirm your selection with your Local Continuing Education/Relicensure Committee in your district, and get started today!
Minnesota Educator Salary Advancement
In most Minnesota districts, the "Lane" you occupy on the salary schedule determines your lifetime earnings, and the difference between lanes can mean thousands of dollars in additional base pay every single year.
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!