Welcome, VA educators! Upward courses are offered for official graduate-level credit by UMass Global, a regionally accredited university. This makes your coursework the highest valued form of professional development currency for your Virginia license renewal, and in many school districts, salary advancement.
VA Postgraduate Professional License Renewal
Virginia teachers must accumulate 270 Professional Development Points (PDPs) to renew the standard 10-year Postgraduate Professional License (180 for the 5-year license).
- Credit Conversion: VDOE mandates that one semester hour equals 30 PDPs.
- Maximize Your Time: Each 3-credit Upward course provides 90 PDPs, meaning you can meet the entire 270-point requirement with just three of our 3-credit courses! You'll also earn Upward Rewards for your hard work.
Virginia Educator Salary Advancement
Most Virginia school districts accept regionally accredited university credit for salary lane movement (e.g., MA+15, MA+30, etc.), resulting in a permanent increase in your base pay.
Important Next Step: Salary requirements vary by school division. Confirm your school district's specific requirements for credit type and pre-approval, 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!