Advance your Connecticut teaching certificate and salary with accredited courses
Connecticut renews the Professional Educator Certificate for free with no CEUs required, so the credits that matter are the ones that advance you to Professional and move you up the pay scale. Earn accredited, graduate-level credits online and at your own pace, and roll them toward a master's degree.
Are you advancing your certificate or your salary?
Advance to Professional
Earn the master's degree or 30 credits you need to move up to the Professional Educator Certificate.
See what Connecticut requiresAdvance my salary
Bank graduate-level credits that may move you up your district's salary schedule, including sixth-year and seventh-year steps.
Explore salary advancementConnecticut certificate renewal and advancement requirements
Renewing a Connecticut Professional Educator Certificate is simple: there is no cost and no CEUs are required. You file form ED 179 through the Connecticut Educator Certification System (C.E.C.S.), and the certificate renews for another 5 years. The credits Connecticut teachers actually need are for two other goals: advancing to the Professional Educator Certificate and moving up the district salary schedule.
What's your goal?
Connecticut renewal takes no credits, so the credits that matter are the ones that advance your certificate, raise your pay, or build toward a master's. Pick your goal to see what you need.
What you need
A master's degree related to your endorsement (for certificates issued on or after July 1, 2018), or 30 semester credits beyond your bachelor's (for older certificates), plus the required years of Connecticut teaching service.
Districts set their own salary schedules. Many move you to a higher lane for graduate credits, with sixth-year and seventh-year steps for 30 credits beyond a master's. Check your contract for the exact number.
Complete 9 credits with Model Teaching, roll them into the Augustana University M.Ed., then finish the remaining 21 credits with Augustana for a full master's under $12,000.
A related master's is the most common route to the Professional Educator Certificate, and our credits roll toward one.
See the master's pathwayBundle graduate credits once, then pay as you finish each course toward your next pay lane.
Build your bundleRoll 9 Model Teaching credits into a full Augustana M.Ed. for under $12,000.
Explore the M.Ed.Connecticut's certificate tiers
Connecticut issues certificates in tiers, and the coursework requirement lands when you advance, not when you renew.
The entry credential most Connecticut teachers hold before advancing.
To advance to it, complete a master's degree related to your endorsement (certificates issued on or after July 1, 2018) or 30 semester credits beyond your bachelor's (older certificates), plus the required years of successful Connecticut teaching service.
Connecticut stopped issuing and renewing this tier on July 1, 2025, so most teachers now move from Initial toward Professional.
What accredited graduate credits do for a Connecticut teacher
- Advance to the Professional Educator Certificate. A master's degree related to your endorsement meets the requirement for certificates issued on or after July 1, 2018, and Model Teaching credits roll toward a master's through our Augustana University M.Ed. (What we recommend.)
- Complete 30 credits beyond your bachelor's if your certificate was issued before July 1, 2018 and you are advancing on that path.
- Move up the district salary schedule. Many Connecticut districts pay more for graduate credits, including sixth-year and seventh-year steps for 30 credits beyond a master's.
- Keep your credits current for up to 7 years, then roll them into the Augustana M.Ed. when you are ready.
Connecticut districts are also responsible for offering professional development to the teachers they employ, so day-to-day PD is handled at the district level, separate from anything you submit to the state.
How Model Teaching courses help Connecticut teachers advance
Model Teaching partners with regionally accredited universities to award graduate-level semester credits, and those credits do the work that Connecticut renewal does not require: advancing your certificate and raising your pay. Through our Augustana University partnership, you roll 9 Model Teaching credits into a Master of Education, then finish the remaining credits with Augustana for a full master's at a low total cost. A master's meets the requirement to advance to the Professional Educator Certificate for certificates issued on or after July 1, 2018, and the same credits can move you up your district's salary schedule. For every course you take, you will receive an official transcript and letter grade issued directly from the partnering university, and you can use credits you earned up to 7 years ago. To confirm a course for your district, download its syllabus from any credit course page.
Read more about Connecticut teacher certification renewal and advancement
Connecticut runs a tiered certificate system. New teachers hold an Initial Educator Certificate, valid for 3 years, and advance to the Professional Educator Certificate, valid for 5 years. Connecticut stopped issuing and renewing the older Provisional Educator Certificate on July 1, 2025, so the path now runs from Initial toward Professional. Teachers still search for “Connecticut license renewal,” but the credential is a certificate, and renewing it looks different from most states.
Renewing the Professional Educator Certificate carries no cost and no professional development requirement. Connecticut repealed the old continuing education unit rule, so you do not submit CEUs, transcripts, or supplemental documentation to renew. You file form ED 179 through the Connecticut Educator Certification System, and the certificate renews for 5 years. Districts remain responsible for offering professional development to the teachers they employ, so ongoing learning happens at the district level rather than through a state renewal tally.
The coursework that matters in Connecticut is tied to advancement. To move from an Initial to a Professional Educator Certificate, you complete the required years of successful Connecticut teaching service plus one of two academic paths. For certificates first issued on or after July 1, 2018, you complete a master's degree in a subject related to your endorsement. For certificates issued before that date, you complete 30 semester credits beyond your bachelor's. This is where accredited graduate credits pay off, and where a cost-effective master's makes the difference.
Model Teaching's Augustana University M.Ed. is built for this. You complete 9 credits through Model Teaching, roll them into the Augustana master's program, and finish the remaining credits with Augustana. The Model Teaching portion runs about $919 for the 9 credits, Augustana's remaining 21 credits run about $10,850, and the full master's comes in under $12,000, compared with a national average near $55,000. The program is fully online and finishes in about 14 to 16 months.
Salary advancement works through your district. Many Connecticut districts raise pay for graduate credits and offer sixth-year and seventh-year salary steps for completing 30 credits beyond a master's. Because each district sets its own schedule, check your contract for how credits translate to a lane change, and whether your district wants pre-approval. You can review the official renewal and advancement steps on the CSDE Renew Your Certificate page.
Roll 9 credits into a master's degree
Earn 9 credits through Model Teaching, roll them into the Augustana University M.Ed., and finish a full master's for under $12,000.
- 9 Model Teaching credits count toward your Augustana M.Ed.
- A master's advances you to the Professional Educator Certificate
- Fully online, finished in about 14 to 16 months
- Regionally accredited credits with an official transcript
Every course is delivered through a regionally accredited university partner. Your credits and official transcript come directly from that university.
Credits and official transcripts issued directly by our university partners
Earn a master's degree for under $12,000
A master's related to your endorsement is the most common way to advance to the Professional Educator Certificate. Through our Augustana University M.Ed., you complete 9 credits with Model Teaching, roll them into the master's, and finish the rest with Augustana. The program is fully online and finishes in about 14 to 16 months, and the same credits can move you up your district's salary schedule.
- Meets the master's requirement to advance to Professional
- 9 Model Teaching credits roll straight into the Augustana M.Ed.
- Fully online, finished in about 14 to 16 months
Compare that with a national average near $55,000 for a teaching master's.
Move up your Connecticut salary schedule with graduate credits
Connecticut does not run a statewide salary-increment program. Pay advancement happens at the district level, through your district's negotiated salary schedule, where graduate credits and degrees move you into a higher pay lane. Many Connecticut districts also offer sixth-year and seventh-year salary steps for completing 30 credits beyond a master's degree. Because each district sets its own steps and lanes, check your contract or your district office for how many credits shift you to the next lane and whether they need pre-approval. The graduate credits you earn to advance your certificate can do double duty toward a lane change.
Accredited transcripts that count
Every Model Teaching course sends an official transcript and letter grade from a regionally accredited university partner, which is what your district needs for a lane change and what Connecticut needs to advance your certificate.
Fast rolling processing
We process credits on a rolling basis, so you can request transcripts when you finish and meet your district's salary-schedule deadlines.
Cost-effective bundling
Bundle your credits once and pay as you complete courses, which keeps your per-credit cost low whether you are advancing to Professional, moving up a lane, or earning a master's.
Choose how you earn your credits
Bundles are pay-as-you-go: a one-time fee reserves your credits, then you pay 70 dollars per credit as you finish each course. Every option is 100% online, self-paced, and includes an official transcript.
Due now to access and take your courses.
Then $70 per credit as you go
$619 total for 6 credits.
- A cost-effective way to add graduate credits toward your next district pay lane
- Choose any university-partnered courses until you use the 6 credits
- Official transcript and letter grade, self-paced over 1 year
Due now to access and take your courses.
Then $70 per credit as you go
$919 total for 9 credits.
- Roll the 9 credits into the Augustana University M.Ed.
- A master's advances you to the Professional Educator Certificate
- Choose any university-partnered courses
- Official transcript and letter grade
Due now to access and take your courses.
Then $70 per credit as you go
$2,699 total for 30 credits.
- Covers 30 credits beyond a bachelor's, or 30 beyond a master's for a sixth or seventh-year step
- Choose any university-partnered courses until you use the 30 credits
- Official transcripts, self-paced, with a full year of access per registration
Need a different number of credits? We offer bundles in every size, from a single credit ($165 total) up to the full 30.
View bundled optionsFrequently asked questions
Common questions about Connecticut certificate renewal, advancement, and salary.
Renewal Does Connecticut require CEUs to renew a teaching certificate?
No. Connecticut repealed the CEU requirement, so renewing the Professional Educator Certificate has no cost and needs no professional development documentation. You file form ED 179 through the C.E.C.S. portal.
Requirements How do I advance to the Professional Educator Certificate?
You complete the required years of successful Connecticut teaching service plus a master's degree related to your endorsement (for certificates issued on or after July 1, 2018) or 30 semester credits beyond your bachelor's (for older certificates).
Credits How can I earn a master's degree affordably?
Through Model Teaching's Augustana University M.Ed., you complete 9 credits with Model Teaching, roll them into the master's, and finish the rest with Augustana. The full master's comes in under $12,000, well below the national average.
Salary Can graduate credits raise my salary in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut salary advancement runs through your district's salary schedule. Many districts pay more for graduate credits and offer sixth-year and seventh-year steps for 30 credits beyond a master's. Check your district contract.
Renewal What happened to the Provisional Educator Certificate?
Connecticut stopped issuing and renewing the Provisional Educator Certificate on July 1, 2025. Teachers who do not yet meet Professional requirements move to an Initial Educator Certificate.
Renewal How long is the Professional Educator Certificate valid?
The Professional Educator Certificate is valid for 5 years and renews for free through the C.E.C.S. portal with no coursework required.
Credits Are Model Teaching credits accepted for advancement and salary?
Model Teaching courses award regionally accredited graduate credits with an official transcript, which is what Connecticut and your district use for advancement and salary. Confirm specific district salary rules with your district, and download a course syllabus for review if needed.
Ready to advance your Connecticut certificate?
Earn accredited credits that move you up to the Professional Educator Certificate and up the salary schedule, and roll them toward a master's, all at your own pace.
Model Teaching strives to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information on renewal and salary advancement requirements for every state. Requirements can change and vary by district, so we encourage you to do your own research and confirm exactly what you need with your state licensing agency and district before you enroll.
