State & District Approvals Common Questions
Are these full graduate credits or just graduate-level professional development?
Our courses offer full graduate credit through multiple universities—not just PD labeled as “graduate-level.” Many teachers use our courses toward earning a master’s degree. Find out more on this page.
Will these courses count toward salary advancement (lane changes) or license renewal?
Our graduate credits are accepted by most districts nationwide, even when a state-specific approval is not listed below. Final approval is the responsibility of the individual educator, and we strongly recommend confirming requirements with your district or state licensing agency prior to enrollment.
How widely are your courses accepted?
Educators from 47 U.S. states—as well as educators in other countries—currently take courses through ED Technology Specialists.
Do you offer courses with live meetings?
Yes. Our hybrid courses include scheduled live meetings, while still offering the flexibility of asynchronous coursework.
Do you offer private cohorts or district-based training?
Yes. We offer private cohorts and customized district trainings for schools, districts, and state agencies.
California (LAUSD)
We offer LAUSD-approved Salary Point courses for teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Learn more here: https://edtechnologyspecialists.com/lausd-salary-points/
Illinois
We offer an Illinois Technology Specialist Endorsement program, approved for educators seeking formal endorsement in the state of Illinois.
Learn more here: https://edtechnologyspecialists.com/illinois-technology-specialist-endorsement/
Massachusetts
ED Technology Specialists is an approved MA DESE PD Provider with the following Content areas: 1) Curriculum and Instruction, 2) English Language Learners, 3) Instructional Technology/Digital Literacy, and 4) Special Needs-General. Our PD Provider number is: F2023018 Our provider name and information is posted to the Massachusetts PD Provider Registry at https://www.doe.mass.edu/pd/search/
Michigan
We offer Michigan SCECHs (State Continuing Education Clock Hours) for certificate renewal and professional learning.
Learn more here: https://edtechnologyspecialists.com/michigan-state-continuing-education-clock-hours-scechs/
Rhode Island
ED Technology Specialists is part of the PLRN (Professional Learning Research Network) in Rhode Island.
New York State
We are an approved NYS CTLE sponsor (CTLE #3286).
New York City (NYCDOE)
We offer ASPDP P-Credit courses. NYC teachers must enroll through the ASPDP website and here: https://edtechnologyspecialists.com/nyc-p-credit-courses/
Pennsylvania
We are approved providers of Act 48 hours in Pennsylvania.
Registration, Tuition, and Special Offers
How do I register for a course?
Navigate to this page and click “Learn More” underneath a course you are interested in. You register for courses one at a time.
I just registered for a course. Now what?
You will receive an email to the gmail address you used when you registered within 48 hours. The email will contain directions on how to start the class.
What is your refund policy?
Students can only receive a refund within the first 6 months of registering for a course. After 6 months, absolutely no refunds will be given.
When do courses start and end?
Please see this page for our session dates. Our courses are self-paced.
Do you offer group discounts or discounted rates?
YES! We offer both group discounts and other incentives for recommendations. Please email mwalsh@edtechnologyspecialists.com for more information.
Course Content, Structure, and Policies
What format/platform is used for your courses?
Our courses are online, asynchronous, with various interactive discussion boards. All of our courses are extremely engaging and require online collaboration between other participants in the course and with the teacher. Students are required to interact with other students via discussion boards. In all of our courses, participants create work and share with other participants for authentic feedback. Participants complete work at their own pace. All assignments are graded by the professor based on specific rubrics. Professors interact frequently with students and provide feedback regularly.
What’s the difference between a course for graduate credit, and a course not for graduate credit?
Besides the obvious, the major difference is that our non-graduate courses are pass/fail, whereas our graduate courses contain exams and other graded work. Participants must achieve a passing final grade to achieve graduate credit. Our graduate courses are fully accredited through multiple universities. Our non-graduate courses are approved for NYS CTLE hours, PA Act 48 hours, and Massachusetts PDPs.
Are your courses interactive and collaborative with other students and teachers enrolled in the course?
YES! All of our courses are extremely engaging and require online collaboration between other participants in the course and with the teacher. In all of our courses, participants create work and share with other participants for authentic feedback.
How are grades determined?
For our graduate courses, participants are required to complete various assignments and assessments. In addition, participation in online, interactive discussion boards is required. If you would like FREE access to a class to check it out, no problem! Email mwalsh@edtechnologyspecialists.com
What kind of feedback will I get from my instructor?
You will receive feedback on your work as you turn it in. In addition, instructors are readily available for online discussion throughout the course.
How long do I have to complete a course?
Please see our course dates on this page.
NYC students taking P-Credit courses have their own session dates. Please see the ASPDP Website for dates and more information about NYC P-Credit classes.
Can I request an extension?
YES! Life happens. If you cannot complete the graduate coursework within 6 months, email your instructor. However, extensions over 1 year are not granted.
Transcripts and Grades
Do I need an official transcript to renew my license or apply for lane change/salary increase?
ED Technology Specialists recommends that you check with your school district and/or state licensing agency to verify these course offerings will meet your district and/or state requirements for salary advancement and/or state certificate re-licensure. Every state has different laws regarding license renewal. Furthermore, in some states (like NY) every school district has different rules regarding this. We suggest you review your state laws and your school districts’ policies regarding this matter.
When will I receive my grade?
Students are notified from their instructors what their final grade is within one week of completing coursework.
How and when do I receive my official transcripts?
Transcripts will generally be available within three weeks of the student receiving their final grade from their instructor (usually much sooner). Please note that you must finish by the end date of a session to guarantee that the correct semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) will be on the transcripts. For more information about how to order transcripst, visit this page.
What is your Academic Integrity Policy?
Ed Technology Specialists maintains an academic integrity policy for all participants taking our courses. Work must be entirely one’s own; plagiarism of any kind is a violation of our policies. Participants may not copy any parts of another (present or past) participant and submit that work as their own. Participants are also barred from collaborating on any assessment that is intended to be completed individually, unless first getting permission from the instructor. Participants who fail to meet Ed Technology Specialists’ academic integrity standards will receive a failing grade for their course and may not be allowed to take further courses with Ed Technology Specialists. Ed Technology Specialists will not refund any course fees for participants who violate the academic integrity policy.
General
Why should I take courses with ED Technology Specialists?
Our courses are legitimately some of the most valuable, worthwhile courses that are available for teachers today. You will not find any busy work, and you will never feel like you have wasted your money. Our instructors are among the most talented PD leaders in the nation. In addition, you should feel good about taking courses with us. A portion of your tuition goes directly to our supported charities.
Do I get a certificate of completion for non-graduate courses?
Yes indeed. You will receive a certificate indicating that you have completed the course equivalent to 3 semester credits unless otherwise noted.
I have a question that wasn’t listed here. How do I proceed?
Please email mwalsh@edtechnologyspecialists.com