The Most Trusted, Teacher-Friendly Way to Earn Graduate Credits Online
Colorado License Renewal & Salary Advancement
We Know Colorado. We’ve Got You Covered.
Self-paced graduate credits for Colorado license renewal and salary advancement — everything you need is waiting inside your online classroom.
Trusted by 10,000+ educators nationwide since 2015 • Designed by teachers for teachers
For Teachers By Teachers is an online professional development company for PreK–12 teachers, founded in 2015, with university partners UMass Global (regionally accredited by WSCUC) and Colorado State University Pueblo (regionally accredited by HLC).
UMass Global: enroll for $165, add 3 credits for $190 anytime — even after you finish.
For Teachers By Teachers is the right fit if you need:
Colorado Teachers: Start Here
Two Colorado renewal requirements. Two clear paths. We’ve mapped it all out for you.
Colorado Requirement: 45 Contact Hours in ELL
CSU Pueblo is on CDE’s approved English Learner Professional Development Programs list — the path most Colorado teachers use to satisfy this requirement without any additional steps. Choose a CSU Pueblo course below and you’re covered.
If you prefer a letter-grade transcript (UMass Global), the course content meets the ELL standards — and if CDE requests it, we’ve already completed the alignment form for you. It’s a simple download inside your online classroom.
Choose one of the ELL-aligned courses below. Each provides 45 contact hours.
- CSU Pueblo — Pass/Fail transcript • $285 all-in • CDE-approved EL PD pathway ✔
- UMass Global — Letter-grade transcript • $165 + optional $190 credit fee • Alignment form provided inside your classroom if CDE requests it
- UMass Global — Letter-grade transcript • $165 + optional $190 credit fee • Alignment form provided inside your classroom if CDE requests it
CSU Pueblo’s CDE-approved status: view the official CDE approved EL PD programs list →
Colorado Requirement: 10 Contact Hours in
Behavioral Health & Special Education
For this requirement, no alignment form or matrix is required — just upload your transcript or certificate of completion to your CDE renewal application showing you completed the 10 hours. That’s it.
Choose either version of Beyond the Surface: Supporting Students with Anxiety:
- CSU Pueblo — Pass/Fail transcript • $285 all-in
- UMass Global — Letter-grade transcript • $165 + optional $190 credit fee
What’s Waiting Inside Your Online Classroom
We don’t just hand you a course and say good luck. Colorado teachers get everything they need to make the renewal process simple:
Questions before or after you enroll? Email us at info@forteachersbyteachers.org — we’ve walked Colorado teachers through this process and we’ll help you get it right.
Choose Your Colorado Credit Option
CSU Pueblo is on CDE’s approved EL PD list — the cleanest path for the ELL requirement. One $285 payment covers course access and 3 graduate credits. Pass/Fail transcript from a Colorado-based, regionally accredited university.
Choose this path if your district prefers a letter-grade transcript for salary advancement or continuing education review. If you use this path for the ELL requirement, the alignment form is already completed and waiting inside your classroom — just download it if CDE asks.
Save More By Bundling
Pick courses from our catalog. The more you bundle, the more you save.
Bundle pricing applies to UMass Global catalog courses at $165 each. CSU Pueblo courses are priced separately at $285 all-in.
Bundle prices are course access only. The optional university transcript fee is paid separately, course-by-course, anytime — including after you finish.
Colorado Teacher FAQ
Yes — through the CSU Pueblo pathway. Colorado State University Pueblo is listed on CDE’s official approved English Learner Professional Development Programs list, which is the CDE-recognized pathway for satisfying the 45-hour ELL requirement. If you choose the UMass Global path, the course content meets the ELL standards, and we’ve already completed the alignment form for you inside your online classroom — if CDE requests it, just download it, review it, and upload it to your COOL account. Most teachers complete that step in a few minutes.
The Colorado English Learner Professional Learning Standards Matrix is a form CDE may request when you renew your license using ELL professional development hours. We’ve already filled it out for you — it maps the course content to all eight CDE EL PD Standards elements. It’s waiting as a downloadable PDF inside your online classroom. If CDE asks for it, download it, give it a quick review, and upload it to your COOL account. If CDE doesn’t ask for it, you don’t need to do anything with it. Either way, we’ve got it ready.
No. For the 10-hour SPED/BH requirement, there is no matrix or alignment form. You simply upload your transcript or certificate of completion showing you completed the 10 hours to your CDE renewal application. That’s the whole step.
For the UMass Global path: no. The $190 transcript fee is completely optional and can be paid anytime — including after you finish the course. The payment link is inside your online classroom, ready when you need it. For the CSU Pueblo path, the $285 payment includes both course access and 3 graduate credits in one combined payment — no separate step later.
All courses are 100% self-paced — no deadlines, no live meetings, no due dates. Start anytime and finish on your own schedule. Most teachers complete a course over a few weekends, but you can take longer if you need to.
We offer a 7-day refund window. Enroll, log in, preview the course materials — and if it’s not what you expected, email us within 7 days for a refund. Full details on our Terms page.
Why Teachers Choose For Teachers By Teachers Courses
Real feedback from educators nationwide:
“Without exaggeration, your courses are the most enjoyable of all, and I’ve taken a lot of PD courses! What distinguishes your courses from other courses isn’t only the format, but the life enriching content that makes us grow as human beings, as well as educators. I can apply what I learn in your classes in my personal life too, outside of school.” — I.F., Middle School Teacher
“I LOVED this course and cannot thank you enough for continuing to make professional development that is do-able, worthwhile, and affordable for teachers.” — K.H., Elementary Teacher
“This has been one of the most enjoyable professional development sessions I have taken in a long time.” — B.C., High School Teacher
“I really sincerely think your classes have enriched my life beyond words could express. Thank you for making me better!” — T.B., Elementary Teacher
“My passion for being an educator has been refreshed!” — C.S., Student Services Coordinator
“This was an amazing ride – I enjoyed every lesson, every video, and every assignment!” — L.S., Grades 3–5 Teacher
“Enrolling in this course was one of the best things that I’ve done to help me succeed in my profession.” — K.L., High School Teacher
“This course was a goldmine! It has been the most organized and well-planned PD that I’ve ever participated in. I plan on taking every class that For Teachers By Teachers has to offer.” — A.B., Middle School Teacher
“This was my first online professional development course. I found it to be organized, well presented, interesting and most importantly inspiring! The effort, skill, and dedication to helping teachers and students succeed is evident and so appreciated.” — M.B., Kindergarten Teacher
Your Colorado Renewal, Done Right.
Many Colorado districts reimburse PD. We provide itemized receipts and invoices for HR.
Questions? We’re here to help: info@forteachersbyteachers.org