Simplify Your Pennsylvania Act 48 Requirements
Get approved Act 48 hours, graduate credits for Level II certification, and salary advancement—all through flexible, online courses reported directly to PERMS.
Get Started
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.
Selecting Your Path
Browse Course By Type
Graduate Level Courses
Graduate Level Courses
ACT 48 Hours Only
ACT 48 Hours Only
Act 48 Hours and Graduate-Credits
Completing a Course
Email your completed coursework to support@upwardteachers.com. We evaluate your coursework within 7 days.
PERMS & Credits
Act 48 Hour-Only courses are automatically reported to PERMS for you. Graduate-Credit course transcripts can be ordered and delivered to RA-EDACT48ETRSCRPT@PA.GOV
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!
Pennsylvania Teacher Salary & Act 48 FAQs
How do I get my Act 48 hours reported to the PA Department of Education (PDE)?
As an approved provider, we handle the reporting process for our Act 48 Hours Only courses. Once you complete your course, we upload your credits directly to the PERMS (Professional Education Record Management System) within 7–10 business days. You can then verify these hours by checking your PDE Professional Record.
Can Upward courses be used for Pennsylvania Level II Certification?
Yes. Pennsylvania educators moving from an Instructional I to an Instructional II (Level 2) certificate must earn 24 post-baccalaureate credits. Our Graduate-Level, university-transcripted courses are designed to meet these specific state requirements for certification advancement.
How many Act 48 hours are required for my 5-year renewal cycle?
PA educators are required to earn 180 Act 48 hours (or 6 collegiate credits) every five years to keep their certificate active.
Each of our 3-credit Graduate Credit Courses provides 90 Act 48 hours, meaning you can fulfill your entire 5-year requirement with just two courses.
Teachers who don't need university credit can opt for four Act 48 Hour courses, only $380 total when you bundle.
What is the most affordable way to earn Act 48 credits?
We pride ourselves on offering high-quality online Act 48 courses at only $110 per course. For those seeking the most cost-effective Act 48 hours, our 4-course bundle provides the full 180 Act 48 hours required for your 5-year cycle for just $380 total.
Upward provides a significantly more affordable path to salary advancement and certification renewal than traditional routes.