Wisconsin Teacher Salary Advancement
Earn Graduate Credits Online. Self-Paced. District-Accepted.
Self-paced graduate-level courses for K-12 teachers in Wisconsin. Real university credit on an official UMass Global transcript — yours to use for salary lane advancement, or to satisfy the credit-based renewal pathway if you hold a legacy Professional Educator License.
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 Wisconsin 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 — pay anytime, even after you finish.
Submit your transcript
Submit your official UMass Global transcript directly to your district HR for salary lane advancement, or — if you hold a legacy Professional Educator License — through ELO toward your credit-based renewal.
FTBT courses are 100% online and self-paced, with meaningful, relevant, and impactful assignments. Wisconsin educators use these graduate-level semester credits for salary lane advancement at the district level. Teachers who hold a legacy Professional Educator License (PEL) can also use these credits toward the credit-based renewal pathway — though most teachers issued a license after 2018 hold a Tier II Provisional, which renews without coursework.
Common Ways Wisconsin Teachers Use These Credits
Every Wisconsin district sets its own salary schedule, and renewal requirements vary by license tier. Teachers in Wisconsin 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+15, MA+30) with an official letter-grade graduate transcript. Wisconsin districts bargain salary lanes locally — most accept regionally accredited graduate credit.
Professional Educator License Renewal
Hold a legacy 5-year Professional Educator License? Two FTBT courses (6 graduate credits) cover the credit-based renewal pathway. The same transcript can move you toward your next salary lane. (Tier II Provisional License holders — the current standard — renew without coursework.)
PD Documentation
Certificate of Completion with 45 documented instructional hours per course — useful for district PD records and Professional Development Plan (PDP) supporting evidence, 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
- 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 Wisconsin DPI recognizes for graduate credit-based renewal of legacy licenses, and the same accreditation tier Wisconsin 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 — though most Wisconsin districts prefer letter grades for lane review.
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.
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.
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 — enough for a full salary lane change in most Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Teachers
Yes — Wisconsin 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). Confirm with your district HR before enrolling.
The optional graduate credit is issued by UMass Global, regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The CSU Pueblo pass/fail pathway is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Courses are 100% self-paced with no deadlines. Most teachers finish over a few weekends; you can take longer if you need to.
Yes — if you hold a legacy 5-year Professional Educator License, the credit-based renewal pathway accepts 6 graduate semester credits from a regionally accredited institution. Two FTBT courses (3 credits each) fully satisfy the requirement. (Most teachers licensed after 2018 hold a Tier II Provisional, which renews without coursework — see below.)
Wisconsin Teacher FAQ
Wisconsin districts bargain salary schedules locally — Wisconsin DPI does not maintain a state-approved-provider list for graduate credit. Most Wisconsin 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.
If you hold a legacy 5-year Professional Educator License, the credit-based renewal pathway accepts 6 graduate semester credits from a regionally accredited institution as one of two renewal pathways (the other being a Professional Development Plan). Two FTBT courses (3 credits each) fully satisfy this requirement. Credits must be earned within the 5-year period preceding your new license effective date. Wisconsin's licensing system was overhauled effective August 2018 — most teachers licensed after that date hold a Tier II Provisional License, which renews without coursework. Check your license type in ELO before planning your renewal pathway.
No. Tier II Provisional Educator Licenses can be renewed an unlimited number of times by submitting an application through ELO before expiration — no credit requirement. Many Provisional License holders still earn graduate credits to advance their salary lane, but renewal itself is application-only.
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 Wisconsin teachers commonly use for salary lane movement and (for legacy PEL holders) credit-based license renewal.
No. The university transcript fee is completely optional and can be paid anytime — including after you finish the course. The payment link sits inside your online classroom, ready when you need it. Many Wisconsin teachers wait until their district confirms approval before paying.
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 Wisconsin 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