For Educators
State Requirements
How graduate credit applies to teacher license renewal and salary advancement — state by state.
Illinois
Here’s how graduate credit works for license renewal and salary advancement in Illinois. Always confirm the specifics with the official source below.
How our courses fit your state
Most states use graduate-level credits from a regionally accredited university for one or both of two things: renewing your teaching license and moving up your district’s salary schedule. Our courses are designed to count for both, wherever your state and district accept graduate credit.
Renewing your license in Illinois
Illinois PEL holders complete professional-development hours each 5-year renewal cycle; graduate coursework qualifies.
Moving up your salary schedule
Almost every public district pays teachers on a salary schedule with columns based on education beyond your bachelor’s — labels like BA+30, BA+45, MA+30, or salary points. Each column you move into is a permanent raise that compounds for the rest of your career.
Districts award column moves for graduate-level credits from a regionally accredited institution. Our courses are designed to qualify — but the rules are set by your district, not the state.
Two offices, two different questions
When your question is whether a credit will count, the answer almost always comes from one of these two offices — not from us. Knowing which to ask saves weeks.
- State credentialing office — license renewal rules, accepted coursework, renewal deadlines.
- District HR office — salary columns, pre-approval forms, accepted institutions, how to submit a transcript.
Official credentialing office for Illinois. Salary-column rules are set by your district HR, not the state office.
Courses that count
Browse all courses →Confirm it counts before you enroll.
Your district decides which credits count toward a raise or renewal — a two-minute email to HR up front saves a re-do later. Confirm these five things first.
- 1Do I need pre-approval before I take the course?
Many districts require teachers to submit a course-approval form before enrolling. Credit earned without prior approval may not count toward a column move.
- 2What kind of credit does my state or district require?
Most accept graduate-level semester credits from a regionally accredited institution. Some use quarter units, salary points, or their own conversion. Confirm the unit type.
- 3Are there subject-area restrictions?
Some districts require coursework relevant to your current assignment or credential area. Others are more flexible. Ask.
- 4What’s the renewal cycle and deadline for my license?
If you’re earning credits for renewal, know when your license expires and how far in advance the state accepts coursework.
- 5Who issues the credit, and is that institution accepted?
Our credits come from regionally accredited university partners. Confirm your specific partner is on your district’s accepted list.
Earn graduate credit on your schedule.
Self-paced, fully online coursework from regionally accredited university partners — built for working teachers.
Regionally accredited credit
Our university partners issue real graduate-level credit on an official transcript — the same kind your district HR and state office already know how to verify.
Self-paced and fully online
No live sessions and no cohorts. Start when you want and complete the work around your teaching schedule.
Built around your classroom
Courses are designed so you apply what you learn directly to your students — the credit and the classroom payoff come together.
Submit your transcript, claim the benefit.
When you finish, your university partner issues an official transcript. Hand it to the office that applies to you and the benefit follows.
- Earning a raise? Submit to your district HR for a salary-column move.
- Renewing your license? Submit to your state credentialing office.
Ready when you are
Ready to earn credits that count in your state?
Browse our full course catalog or save with a credit bundle.
Frequently asked
Common questions about state requirements.
Will my credits count in my state?
In most states, yes — graduate-level credits from a regionally accredited university are widely accepted for license renewal, salary advancement, or both. The specifics depend on your state and district.
Select your state on the map above for details, and always confirm with your district HR before enrolling if you’re earning credits for a column move.
Are these the same credits I’d earn at a traditional university?
Yes. Our university partners are regionally accredited institutions, and the credit you earn is real graduate-level credit issued on an official university transcript.
How long does it take to receive my transcript?
Transcripts are issued by your credit-granting university partner after you complete the course. Most teachers receive theirs within a few weeks. Plan ahead if you have a renewal or column-move deadline.
Can I use these credits for both renewal and salary advancement?
In most cases, yes — the same credit can satisfy a state renewal requirement and count toward a district column move, as long as both accept it. Check your district’s pre-approval rules first.
My state isn’t ready on the map yet. What should I do?
We’re expanding state-by-state. Every state still opens with general guidance and a link to its official credentialing office. In the meantime, work through the five questions above with your district HR.