Minnesota Teacher License Renewal & Salary Advancement
Earn Graduate Credits Online. Self-Paced. PELSB Clock Hours.
Self-paced graduate-level courses for K-12 teachers in Minnesota. Real university credit on an official UMass Global transcript — yours to use for PELSB clock hours toward Tier 3 or Tier 4 license renewal, or district salary lane advancement.
Trusted by 10,000+ educators nationwide • Designed by teachers, for teachers
Optional UMass Global 3-credit transcript: $190 per course, paid anytime — even after you finish.
How Minnesota Teachers Earn Graduate Credit Through For Teachers By Teachers
Enroll in a course
Enroll in a self-paced For Teachers By Teachers (FTBT) course for $165 — log in immediately, work on your own schedule, no live meetings.
Add UMass Global credit (optional)
Add 3 graduate semester credits from UMass Global (regionally accredited by WSCUC) for $190. Per Minnesota Rule 8710.7200, 1 graduate semester credit = 24 clock hours, so a 3-credit FTBT course = 72 clock hours.
Submit your transcript
Submit your official UMass Global transcript to your district's continuing education committee for clock hour approval (entered into the PELSB online licensing system), and to your district HR for salary lane advancement.
Important: Minnesota requires district pre-approval of external coursework before enrolling. Submit a course description and syllabus to your district's continuing education committee for pre-approval — this is the standard process for any external course.
Common Ways Minnesota Teachers Use These Credits
Every Minnesota district sets its own salary schedule, and PELSB renewal requirements vary by license tier. Teachers in Minnesota commonly use FTBT graduate credits for one of these three goals:
Salary Lane Advancement
Move across your district's salary schedule (BA+15, BA+30, MA+30, MA+45) with an official letter-grade graduate transcript. Minnesota districts bargain salary lanes locally — most accept regionally accredited graduate credit.
PELSB License Renewal
1 graduate semester credit = 24 clock hours under Minnesota Rule 8710.7200. Tier 3 holders need 75 clock hours every 3 years (~3 graduate credits). Tier 4 holders need 125 clock hours every 5 years (~6 graduate credits, fully covered by 2 FTBT courses).
PD Documentation
Certificate of Completion with 45 documented instructional hours per course — useful for district PD records and individualized professional development plan documentation, even without university credit.
Not sure which pathway fits you? See the FAQ below or email us at info@forteachersbyteachers.org before enrolling — we'll help you check.
What You Get With Every For Teachers By Teachers Course
- 3 graduate semester credits per course on an official UMass Global transcript (= 72 PELSB clock hours under Minnesota Rule 8710.7200)
- 100% online and self-paced — start and finish on your timeline
- Meaningful, relevant, and impactful assignments — no busywork, no live meetings
- Certificate of Completion with 45 documented instructional hours per course
- Receipts and itemized invoices for HR reimbursement
- Purchase Orders accepted for districts that pay via PO
- Course syllabi available on request for district pre-approval
- 7-day refund window — try it risk-free
UMass Global is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Your transcript comes from a regionally accredited university — the same accreditation tier Minnesota PELSB accepts for graduate-credit clock hours under Minnesota Rule 8710.7200, and the same accreditation tier Minnesota school districts widely accept for salary lane advancement.
Need a Pass/Fail transcript instead of letter grades? We also partner with CSU Pueblo (regionally accredited, HLC) for select courses. Email us if Pass/Fail is what your district requires.
Save More By Bundling
Pick courses from our nationwide catalog. The more you bundle, the more you save.
Build Your Own 3-Course Bundle — Save $96
Pick any 3 courses for $399 (vs. $495 individually). 9 graduate credits = 216 PELSB clock hours.
Build Your 3-Course Bundle for $399 →Build Your Own 4-Course Bundle — Save $211
Pick any 4 courses for $449 (vs. $660 individually). 12 graduate credits = 288 PELSB clock hours.
Build Your 4-Course Bundle for $449 →Build Your Own 5-Course Bundle — Save $326
Pick any 5 courses for $499 (vs. $825 individually). 15 graduate credits = 360 PELSB clock hours — nearly triples the Tier 4 renewal requirement and covers a full salary lane change in most Minnesota districts.
Build Your 5-Course Bundle for $499Prefer a done-for-you path? The Nationwide 5-Course Bundle is a pre-built version with our most popular courses.
See the Nationwide 5-Course Bundle →Bundle prices are course access only. The optional $190 UMass Global transcript fee is paid separately, course-by-course, anytime.
Quick Answers for Minnesota Teachers
Yes — Minnesota districts bargain salary schedules locally and most accept regionally accredited graduate credit for lane advancement. FTBT courses come with the option to add UMass Global graduate credit (regionally accredited by WSCUC). District pre-approval of external coursework is recommended.
Per Minnesota Rule 8710.7200, 1 graduate semester credit = 24 clock hours. A 3-credit FTBT course = 72 clock hours.
Tier 3: 75 clock hours every 3 years. Tier 4: 125 clock hours every 5 years. Both include mandatory training topics that count toward the total.
The optional graduate credit is issued by UMass Global, regionally accredited by WSCUC. CSU Pueblo (HLC) is the pass/fail alternative.
Minnesota Teacher FAQ
Minnesota districts bargain salary schedules locally — PELSB does not maintain a state-approved-provider list for graduate credit. Most Minnesota districts accept regionally accredited graduate credit for salary lane advancement, and UMass Global is regionally accredited by WSCUC. Salary policies are set district-by-district, so a quick check with your HR or salary office before enrolling is always a good move. If your district needs documentation from us, email info@forteachersbyteachers.org.
Per Minnesota Rule 8710.7200 (Subpart 3, Item A), 1 graduate semester credit = 24 clock hours. A 3-credit FTBT course = 72 clock hours. Tier 3 teachers need 75 clock hours every 3 years; Tier 4 teachers need 125 every 5 years. Note: clock hours must be approved by your district's local continuing education committee before being entered into the PELSB system.
Yes. Minnesota Rule 8710.7200 requires clock hours be earned in two or more of categories A–I. Graduate coursework qualifies under Category A (relevant coursework at accredited colleges and universities). To meet the two-category requirement, teachers typically combine coursework with district PD days, workshops, or committee participation — most teachers satisfy this naturally.
Mandatory training topics — suicide prevention, mental health awareness, cultural competency/DEI, reading instruction (for K-6, ESE, Reading, ESL endorsements), and others in effect at time of renewal — count toward your total clock hour requirement only if the course explicitly addresses those topics. FTBT courses on relevant subjects may satisfy specific mandatory components; confirm with your district's continuing education committee whether a specific course's content satisfies a specific mandatory topic.
Yes. The optional credits are graduate-level, non-degree semester units issued by UMass Global, regionally accredited by WSCUC. They're the same type of credit Minnesota teachers commonly use for salary lane movement and PELSB clock hours.
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:
★★★★★
"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
★★★★★
"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
★★★★★
"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 was an amazing ride – I enjoyed every lesson, every video, and every assignment!"
— L.S., Grades 3–5 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
★★★★★
"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.F., Middle School Teacher
Ready to Get Started?
Many Minnesota districts reimburse PD. We provide receipts and itemized invoices for HR.
Purchase Orders accepted — click for PO instructions
Questions? info@forteachersbyteachers.org
Looking for bundles? Scroll up to see options — save up to $326.
Last updated: April 29, 2026